(SPOT.ph) Ah, it’s time to go back to school. Physically speaking. We can’t be the only ones who miss going out with your parents a week before your first day of classes to shop for school essentials. Or maybe not. Cue flashbacks of you sulking, crying, or throwing a tantrum inside the store because you didn’t get the bag or notebook you wanted, or you just tired of going through store after store after store. Well, kids today have it different.
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There are those who are excited to go back after two years of being cooped up inside, while others… not so much. Totally understandable. Either way, today’s kids probably won’t shop the way we did, partly thanks to TikTok. The platform is full of trending finds to cop for the school year, eliminating a lot of the pre-school shopping process. So in case there’s still something missing, we list 10 back-to-school essentials we saw on TikTok to help you out.
Get F2F school ready with 10 essentials we saw on Tiktok:
Doughnut Macaroon Bag
Doughnut’s best-selling bag will have your back—figuratively and literally. You can fit all the things you need for going back to school, thanks to the spacious build and all those compartments. Carry your laptop, books, notebooks, pens, and the rest of the house, if it’s possible, without breaking your back too much because the bag itself is lightweight, not to mention its water-repellant fabric, making it perfect for the rainy season. Doughnut bags are also known for functionality and fashion, just peep at the plethora of aesthetic colorways available in their stores.
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Available online.
Binder notebooks
Is it just us or do the spines of your notebooks sometimes bother you when you’re writing, too? Ever wish you could just pluck a page, write on it, and magically, neatly put it back again? You can with these binder notebooks. No need to resort to ripping out things when you make a mistake, these notebooks and their unclasp-able spine allow you to rearrange the pages, and even insert printouts, index cards, and small zip locks, among other things shown in this Tiktok video. You could even refill it. They’re also available in the cutest of colors.
Available online.
Tumblers
Everyone and their mothers have their own insulated tumblers by now. It’s practical, sustainable, and safe. And it’s a given that you should bring one along with you when it's time to go back to school, or really, just to go outside. We’ve seen the Aquaflask trend in the past few months, and it’s highly likely that you’ll see your classmates with one too. In case you don’t have yours yet or you want to switch it up and get something new for face-to-face classes, this is your sign to buy.
Available online.
Pencil case
Are you the type of person to lose pens, pencils, and highlighters during the first week of classes? We feel you. In order to avoid that, this large pencil case can hold the world—erm, we mean your pens, pencils, highlighters, and whatnot inside it. We all know pencil cases are one of the most prized possessions a student can have, and one with as many compartments as this is sure to be one heck of a trophy in class. . Best part? It serves functionality, too, so you won’t end up losing anything.
Available online.
Pastel highlighters
Make your notes aesthetically pleasing with these highlighters that come in soft, pastel colors. Heck, you’d be motivated and energized to take down notes if they’re going to be pretty like these, and you’d be making reviewing them feel like less of a chore afterward. These colorful, must-have ones are from Stabilo, a brand known for their high-quality pens and pencils. And, let’s be real here, who wouldn’t gush at how they’d look in our pencil cases?
Available online.
Pouch
You could put tissue, wet wipes, medicine, sanitizers, band-aids—basically for hygiene, emergencies, or makeup—all the things you might need, in a handy pouch. Then store said pouch in your school bag for easy access at any point during class. You never know when you’ll need it, so it’s best to keep an emergency pouch or hygiene kit with you at all times.
Available online.
Mini umbrella
Given that it’s the rainy season, an umbrella is always a must whenever you go out. But just in case you don’t want your umbrellas weighing you down, just cop this cute mini one. It doesn’t require much space but does the job well when needed. This one is a six-fold umbrella, making it lightweight and compact. You’ll have no problems fitting it right in your school bags.
Available online.
Mask holder (and extra mask!)
Masks protect us, but who protects the masks? There are times when our masks somehow end up breaking, right when we least expect it, so it’s good practice to have extra ones on you at any given time. Especially in class. In order to keep your emergency stash clean, try out this container. They can’t keep you safe if you don’t keep them safe, folks.
Available online.
Self-defense keychains
With the surge of criminal cases happening around the Metro, everyone needs to keep themselves protected at all times, especially if you spend most of the day, and night, out and about. Yup, we’re talking more than just students, but workers, and people just living their lives outside, too. Safety is of utmost importance so having a self-defense kit is a must-have, especially now that F2F classes are back. The kits, which are keychains and come in three sets, have pepper spray, a striking tool, an alarm, a whistle, and more.
Available online.
Portable fan
Whether your classrooms are air-conditioned or not, having a portable fan—that also functions as a power bank—is super convenient. This nifty multi-purpose gadget is especially helpful if you commute to and from classes, too. Really, we could use a blast of cool air from a handheld, rechargeable fan for a little breather, anytime, anywhere.
Available online.