6 back-to-school items that missed your list

Back to school time can be stressful for parents and students, but make sure to keep this list handy alongside your regular back-to-school shopping. You might already have a few of these items, so just pop them in your backpack and you're ready to go.

Whether it's back to elementary, high school or university, you'll be looking at a supply list that covers the basics: pencils, pens, notebooks, binders and highlighters.

• No matter how prepared you think you are, every year there seem to be at least one or two things missing from the school supply list.
• Save yourself a second trip to the supply store this year, and plan ahead with these extra items for school.

• Not every student has his or her own laptop, but once they've reached elementary school, students will be expected to use computers to plan and execute many school projects.
• Equip your kids with their own USB drive so that they can work on their projects at home or at the library.

School schedules vary from day to day.

• It's helpful for students to have their own personal daily or weekly calendars to keep track of classes, homework assignments and extracurricular activities.
• There are plenty of options when it comes to personal calendars, including computer software, phone applications, whiteboards and good, old-fashioned paper journals.

• Loose sheets happen way more often than we think.
• Fortunately, there is a solution! Locker boxes give students somewhere to store these sheets without crunching them into the back corner for several months.

• People are messy, and that means that school is messy too.
• Students should keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in their supply kits or lockers for a quick and easy way to disinfect during the day.

• Libraries have plenty of access to online and media resources, but it's a hassle to try to listen to videos and lectures when the volume is so low.
• Headphones make it much easier to use audio resources without annoying those around you.

• Many parents may disagree with the idea that students need a bit of cash on hand, but it really does make life easier.
• Just five dollars in cash can be used as a quick deposit on a forgotten field trip or study resource, a refreshing bottle of water after gym class or a nice sandwich if lunch wasn't enough.

Be prepared this back to school season! Plan ahead and get organized.