School supply list: Must-have items & software

Back-to-school shopping is no longer only about stocking up on notebooks and backpacks. Classic supplies are still necessary, but in 2025 the essentials also include digital tools that allow students to learn, work together, and organize their lives.

The list of school supplies looks pretty much the same every year: notebooks, pens, backpacks, lunchboxes, maybe even antibacterial wipes. These are simple, familiar things — parents can usually pick them based on design, comfort, or just personal preference.

What changes rapidly, however, are the digital tools. Here things get more complicated: does your child really need a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, a smartwatch, maybe even a GPS tracker? Which specs actually matter, and which apps or programs should you install so they can study effectively? These questions grow more relevant every year, and many parents feel uncertain about what’s truly essential.

That’s why we’ve put together an expanded school supply list for 2025. It includes both the classic must-haves that never go out of style and a modern section covering gadgets, software, and digital platforms that will help your child stay productive, organized, and secure in today’s tech-driven learning environment.

The basics: traditional school supplies

Even with the rise of a digital age in which assignments are increasingly completed online, old-fashioned school supplies have not become obsolete. These classics make sure that the student is ready for whatever comes next: scribbling quick notes, sketching out diagrams, or tracking a crazy school week.

1. A sturdy backpack

A backpack is still the number one item. With students carrying both books and digital devices, it’s important to choose one with padded compartments for laptops or tablets, along with plenty of space for notebooks and folders. Comfort is key too — padded shoulder straps and breathable materials help make long school days easier.

2. Writing tools

Pens, pencils, and highlighters remain indispensable. Even in tech-driven classrooms, there are always times when handwriting is faster and more practical than typing. Erasers and correction tape keep work tidy, while colored pens can help with organizing notes and making study material more visual.

3. Notebooks, binders, and folders

Staying organized on paper is just as important as managing digital files. Many students still prefer writing things down by hand to reinforce memory. Using color-coded folders or structured binders ensures that homework, study guides, and project sheets don’t get lost in the shuffle.

4. A planner or paper calendar

Some students benefit from combining digital planning with traditional methods. Writing deadlines down physically can improve memory and provide a clear overview of upcoming tasks. Sticky notes and index cards are also handy for quick reminders, brainstorming, or creating study flashcards.

5. Everyday essentials

Finally, there are the small but important extras that keep students prepared and comfortable throughout the day. A reusable water bottle, a lunchbox, and — depending on the curriculum — items like rulers, scissors, colored pencils, or glue sticks are often required for art and science classes.

These traditional supplies might seem basic compared to laptops and cloud platforms, but they provide the solid foundation students need. Once in place, digital tools can then build on them, enhancing productivity and opening up new ways to learn and collaborate.

The digital must-haves for 2025

1. A reliable laptop

Your laptop is your primary workspace. It’s where you’ll research topics, type essays, create slideshows, and join virtual meetings. In 2025, most schools expect students to complete assignments digitally, so having a slow or outdated device can seriously impact your productivity.

Look for a model with:

• At least 8GB of RAM (for smooth multitasking)
• SSD storage (for fast boot-up times)
• A modern processor (Intel i5 or Ryzen 5 and up)
• Good battery life (8+ hours)
• A built-in webcam and microphone (for virtual classes or presentations)

2. A full office suite for academic work

High school assignments go way beyond writing essays: you’ll need to format reports, analyze data in spreadsheets, and deliver multimedia presentations. A versatile office suite is non-negotiable.

ONLYOFFICE is an excellent solution that checks all the boxes for high schoolers. It’s free, fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX), and works across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and in the browser. This means you can start a paper at school, revise it on your phone during your commute, and finish it on your home computer — all without losing formatting or features.

Even better, ONLYOFFICE integrates seamlessly with popular learning management systems like Moodle and Chamilo, so you can open, edit, and save assignments directly within your school’s platform without downloading files. This makes it easier to collaborate on documents, submit work, and receive feedback without juggling multiple apps or file versions.

ONLYOFFICE also lets you work with PDFs — you can view, annotate, and convert them, as well as create and fill interactive forms. Need to read for class? The built-in e-book reader supports EPUB and FB2 formats, so you can keep all your study materials in one place. Plus, the AI assistant is always on hand to help you brainstorm ideas, summarize texts, translate passages, or rephrase your writing.

ONLYOFFICE lets you:

• Collaborate in real time with classmates
• Comment and review documents for group work
• Work offline and sync later
• Create professional-looking documents with advanced formatting tools

You can also use ONLYOFFICE DocSpace, a secure collaborative hub where you can organize assignments, store materials, and create shared workspaces for different subjects or group projects.

Watch this video and learn everything about ONLYOFFICE for education:

3. Cloud storage with sync and sharing options

Storing everything on your hard drive is risky — one lost or broken device, and your schoolwork disappears. Cloud storage ensures that your files are backed up, accessible from anywhere, and easy to share with teachers or classmates.

Some top options:

• ONLYOFFICE DocSpace: Ideal for collaborative work and secure document sharing
• Google Drive: Great if your school uses Google Workspace
• OneDrive: Integrates with Microsoft accounts and Office 365

Whichever you choose, make sure:

• You organize files by subject and project
• You install desktop or mobile sync apps
• You regularly clean up old files to stay organized

4. Task management or digital planner

Between assignments, quizzes, club meetings, and personal responsibilities, managing your time is half the battle in high school. A reliable task manager or planning app keeps everything in one place and helps you prioritize.

Recommendations:

• ONLYOFFICE offers a practical solution with its Student Planner Template — a ready-to-use spreadsheet designed to help you stay on top of your academic tasks. You can download it for free from the ONLYOFFICE templates library and use it in the online or desktop version of ONLYOFFICE.
• Todoist: Clean interface with recurring tasks and labels
• Notion: Highly customizable with templates for study plans, reading logs, and calendars

Get into the habit of adding tasks as soon as they’re assigned. Use color-coding to separate subjects or types of tasks (homework, revision, group work), and set reminders well before deadlines.

5. PDF tools for reading and annotating

Many schools now share reading materials, worksheets, and forms in PDF format. You’ll often need to highlight text, insert comments, or fill out forms, so a simple PDF viewer won’t cut it.

Use tools like:

• ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor: View, annotate, and edit PDFs natively within the suite. It now also includes OCR (optical character recognition), allowing you to convert scanned PDFs or images into fully searchable and editable text — perfect for digitizing printed notes or extracting quotes from textbooks.
• Xodo (Windows, Android) or PDF Expert (macOS, iOS): Powerful for mobile annotation
• Microsoft Lens or Adobe Scan: Scan paper notes and convert them into searchable, editable PDFs

This makes it easier to study from your notes, complete digital handouts, or share clean copies with teachers and peers.

Have a look at this video to learn more about ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor:

6. Access to your school’s Learning Management System (LMS)

Most schools now use LMS platforms to distribute assignments, collect homework, and communicate with students. Whether it’s Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, or Moodle, you need to be connected at all times.

Tips:

• Download the mobile app and enable push notifications
• Connect your LMS calendar with Google Calendar or Outlook so all deadlines appear in one place
• Use the LMS calendar to track assignments alongside your personal planner

Missing a notification can mean missing a deadline, so stay synced.

7. Digital note-taking tools

Typing notes is fast and searchable, and it’s often easier to organize than handwritten notes. But not all note-taking apps are created equal. You want one that supports subject organization, multimedia attachments, and ideally some type of syncing.

Options include:

• Microsoft OneNote: Great for school notebooks, with sections and drawing support
• Notion: Popular among students for building organized study databases and templates
• Obsidian: Best for knowledge mapping and connecting ideas with backlinks
• Joplin: Open-source and privacy-focused with markdown support

Pro tip: Choose a system and stick to it throughout the year to keep your notes consistent.

8. Password manager for secure access

You’ll have more online accounts than ever: LMS, school email, document platforms, calendar apps, and more. Writing passwords down or reusing the same one is risky and outdated.

Use a password manager like:

• Bitwarden (free and open-source)
• 1Password
• NordPass

These tools help you:

• Create and store strong, unique passwords
• Autofill login credentials across devices
• Keep everything encrypted and secure

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible — especially for school accounts.

9. Digital collaboration tools

High school projects often involve working in teams — whether it’s a lab report, group presentation, or peer review. You’ll need tools that allow real-time collaboration without version chaos.

ONLYOFFICE DocSpace makes this incredibly easy. You can:

• Create shared rooms for different subjects or teams
• Co-edit documents, spreadsheets, or presentations simultaneously
• Assign roles (viewer, commenter, editor) to keep things organized
• Use built-in chat and comments to discuss changes

It’s like having your own group workspace — and it’s fully private and customizable, making it ideal for school use.

10. Digital security and backup tools

Your device is your lifeline to school, so don’t leave it unprotected. Security is about more than antivirus software — it includes how you back up data, connect to networks, and manage sensitive info.

Here’s your security checklist:

• Antivirus: Windows Defender (built-in), Avast, or Bitdefender
• Backup: Use cloud syncing + external backups (USB drive or encrypted SSD)
• VPN: Use when accessing public Wi-Fi at school, libraries, or cafés
• 2FA Apps: Google Authenticator or Authy for added login protection

Losing access to your accounts or files during the school year can set you back days — or worse, result in missing grades. Stay protected.

Conclusion

In 2025, being a prepared student means being digitally fluent. From cloud storage to office suites, collaboration tools to task planners, the real school supply list lives on your devices. By equipping yourself with smart, reliable digital tools, you’re not just getting ready for the school year — you’re preparing to work efficiently, communicate clearly, and succeed in a tech-driven world.

Get ONLYOFFICE and gear up for the school year

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