Whether it’s creating an assignment tracker, finding the perfect study location or following a productive sleep schedule, everyone has a different approach to getting back into their routines post-summer break. Deciding what works best for you can be overwhelming, so here are some ideas for items to help you get through the semester.

Planner

Whether it’s physical or online, having a planner to keep track of your assignments, extracurriculars, meetings, test dates and social calendar is essential. Although physical notebooks with planner layouts are available, you can opt for online options such as Google Calendar, Notion and Google Keep. Writing down your events and tasks will help keep you organized and make sure you don’t forget anything.

Headphones

Whether it’s for studying, listening to music or tuning out your roommate, headphones are a great tool to help you succeed this semester. Some headphones also include noise cancellation features, which limit auditory distractions and allow you to fully immerse yourself in the song you’re listening to. Not only will headphones help with blocking out distractions, but they can also act as a physical representation of your concentration — ensuring that fewer people are likely to disrupt you.

Umbrella

With the unpredictable weather in Binghamton, the sun can be shining one minute and the next it’s pouring rain. You don’t want to be caught in a sudden downpour without proper protection. Having an umbrella on hand will help keep you dry when those unexpected rainstorms occur. No one wants to sit through class soaking wet, so keeping an umbrella in your backpack is key to staying prepared.

Stress Ball

Whether it’s schoolwork, extracurriculars or social lives, the semester can be very stressfThe new year can be hectic. These everyday items can help ease those seasonal stresses. ul, and having a fidget toy on hand can help channel some of that elsewhere. Sensory stress balls, like NeeDoh, will help calm you down so you can focus in the library, class or anywhere else you need to be productive. Ranging in various shapes, sizes and colors, stress balls are a fun and portable way to calm your nerves.

Reusable Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is important, especially during the school day. Reusable water bottles can be colorful and eco-friendly, making them a smart and cute option for the semester. It can be exhausting running around campus trying to get from class to class, so having a water bottle and making sure to drink enough is a good way of practicing self-care bit by bit throughout the day.

Fan

Even with the rain, the summer heat and humidity are ever-present in Binghamton at the beginning of the semester. Putting a fan in your dorm can help you cool off and keep you from becoming a sweaty mess. With an array of shapes and sizes to fit all types of rooms, investing in a fan is wise, especially if you’re living off campus with no air conditioning.