While many of us won’t be returning to the traditional classroom this fall, back to school shopping is still a must. There’s no doubt that you’ll need the typical school supplies, like a backpack and notebook, but be prepared to add a few more items to the list. It’s time to check out your new favorite school accessories.

Comfy Sweatpants & Cute Joggers

Being in online classes all day can be both mentally and physically exhausting, even if it is mostly sitting down. But with the perfect pair of cozy sweatpants, one can find immediate comfort in their at-home workspace. With the right pair of sweatpants or stylish joggers, your online class experience will particularly be elevated. So do yourself a favor and get a pair of quality sweatpants this fall, trust me your body will thank you!

Anti-Glare & Blue Light Glasses

You’re going to be experiencing a lot of screen time in the next few months, so be kind to your eyes and consider getting a pair of anti-reflective glasses. These glasses are meant to help minimize strains on the eyes by reducing glares on electronic screens— blue light glasses offer an additional coating that blocks out the blue lighting that illuminates from these devices. And don’t worry, many of these glasses come at a low-cost while remaining fashionable.

Laptop Desks

Speaking from personal experience, a bed and sofa are not the ideal study space for online learning. While the plush cushions on your furniture may be inviting, it often leads to your body slowly sliding downwards, resulting in aches down the spine and a poor angle of your computer screen. To avoid such discomfort, consider using a laptop desk; this will reduce straining your back and provide an elevated view of your screen. This purchase may just transform your couch into your new favorite study space.

Headphones

As someone who shares their study space with others, I cannot stress this enough: please wear headphones when working! No one in the vicinity wants to listen in on your virtual class or listen to your ‘Good Vibes’ playlist while studying. Along with that, headphones help narrow in on specific sounds, providing better concentration and focus even for those that work alone. When it comes down to it, plugging in a pair of headphones benefits everyone.

Colorful Pens

Although many classes are primarily online, note-taking is still a vital part of learning. Keep yourself motivated and organized by using a variety of colorful pens when studying. Whether it’s designating specific colors to a particular subject or simply to stay focused, vibrant pens will revamp an entire notebook and make it easier to find information. Studies have found that often color coding notes to aid in retaining information.

Planner

The idea of buying a 2020 planner seems almost futile at this point, especially with most of the year being spent in quarantine. But with the new semester comes a new workload, so stay on track by jotting down your assignments and class schedule in a planner. Paired with colorful pens, it’ll be nearly impossible to miss anything.

Webcam Covers

For years, conspiracy theories of the government watching people through their webcams have trolled the internet. It is still up for debate if this in fact true, nevertheless a webcam cover is still worthwhile and provides an additional piece of privacy for frequent web camera users. Now you can sneak off to the restroom during class, and no one will notice the empty chair.

Face Masks

In many states, people must wear a mask or cloth face covering while out in public, especially in areas where close contact is unavoidable, Connecticut, is one of them. Along with this, CCSU is further enforcing this order by making it mandatory for all faculty, staff, students and visitors to wear masks or cloth face coverings while on the university premises. You never know when you may have to take an unexpected trip to campus, so it’s better to be safe than sorry by having an extra mask on hand.

Wifi HotSpot

For many CCSU students, this semester’s class schedule is primarily online, so the internet will become their new best friend. Unfortunately, a poor internet connection and online classes do not mix well. In fact, that’s just an educational disaster waiting to erupt. Rather than risk missing class or having apps fail due to a slow WiFi router, consider buying a mobile hotspot or new internet service. Being prepared with a reliable internet connection may even help carry you through the semester.

Adobe Creative Cloud & Microsoft Office

At one point or another, every college student has or will use applications from Adobe and Microsoft. This semester, CCSU students have access to Adobe Creative Cloud in addition to Microsoft Office 365.  These programs can assist in a variety of ways, from using Adobe Illustrator for a graphic design course to analyzing data on Microsoft Excel, both programs offer several applications for college students.