Back-to-school season is officially here. Whether you’re a college freshman, a returning student, or someone simply inspired by that BTS mindset, now’s the perfect time to channel that nervous excitement into prepping for the year ahead.
College brings freedom, responsibility, growth, and exploration — usually, all at once and for the first time. Adjusting to this new chapter can be overwhelming, but the right tools, supplies, and support can make the transition smoother.
From a thoughtfully designed planner to help you stay on top of assignments, goals, and deadlines to press-on nails that let you show up as your best self even on a tighter budget and schedule, the right essentials can go a long way. Below, we’ve rounded up some back-to-school must-haves worth adding to your cart or gifting to a college-bound Latina you love.
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First thing’s first: You’re going to need a bag with enough space to carry your laptop, planner, and books, and Cuyana’s Oversized Linea Bag is the perfect choice. It features integrated organizational compartments, so there’s room for your gadgets, notebooks, makeup, and cardigan. Even more, the signature Italian leather bag is gorgeous, luxe, and comes in various color options.
Cuyana Cuyana’s Oversized Linea Bag, $, available at Cuyana
No one does planners better than Hija De Tu Madre. This Poco a Poco Weekly Planner comes with 13 undated months and 56 weeks, so you can start right where you need to without feeling like you’re wasting planner paper. Thoughtfully designed to keep you organized and inspired, it includes lined pages for journaling, blank space for doodling and dreaming, progress worksheets to help you stay on track, and a vibrant collection of culturally resonant stickers to help you manifest your goals, both in and out of the classroom.
Hija de tu Madre Hija De Tu Madre’s Weekly Planner, $, available at Hija de tu Madre
College life can be overwhelming. Keeping a journal gives you a private place to process your thoughts, vent your emotions, reflect on your experiences, develop new goals, and recognize how far you’ve come in your journey. Bella Doña’s gorgeous Hoop Dream Journal is perfect for remembering where you come from while writing about all the places you hope to go.
Bella Doña Bella Doña’s Hoop Dreams Journal, $, available at Bella Doña
With all the transitions and pressure that come during college, affirmations are a great way to build self-confidence and reinforce your goals. Artelexia offers a set of pencils with affirming words in both Spanish and English, but this “Educada” set is our favorite.
Artelexia Artelexia’s Educada Pencils, $, available at Artelexia
College campuses are where some debut their Rory Gilmore-inspired wardrobes or discover their own personal style. Whether you’re a fashion girlie turning the student union into your runway or you’re pouring all your energy and cash into textbooks and tuition, one thing’s for sure: you’ll want to invest in loungewear. These cute, comfy pieces will take you from finishing a last-minute essay on your dorm room couch to making it to that 9 a.m. lecture on Latin American studies. And you’ll want to add JZD’s No Pasa Nada Loungewear Set to that collection as a cozy staple that reminds you to breathe, chill, and rest.
JZD JZD’s No Pasa Nada Loungewear Set, $, available at JZD
It’s hard to keep up with grooming when you’re jugging classroom deadlines, a part-time job, an internship, a wellness routine, and a social life. When you’re short on time and money, press-ons become a student’s best friend. And Chillhouse’s Passion Punch press-ons are cute, easy to apply, and reusable.
Chillhouse Chillhouse’s Passion Punch Press-On, $, available at Chillhouse
Like with your nail and hair sessions, your daily makeup routine may need to be adjusted every now and then. Whether you’re rushing to a test, the dining hall, or a study session in your crush’s dorm, you’re going to want to keep a lippy on you at all times. To keep your smile nourished and cute, grab one of Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil. There are shades for different moods and preferences.
Rare Beauty Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, $, available at Rare Beauty
If you’ve moved away for college, you might find yourself alone for the first time. That freedom and independence can feel exhilarating at first, but soon you may realize how much you relied on Mami’s reminders or Papi’s pep talks. While no gadget can replace your familial support system, the Google Pixel Watch 3 can be a steady campus companion. With voice memos, Google Assistant, and Google Wallet, it keeps you productive in and out of the classroom. It also helps you build custom workouts, track your health metrics, and stay on top of your sleep quality, helping you manage your academic load and your school-life balance.
Google Google Pixel Watch 3, $, available at Google
As much as you’ll try to maintain a balanced lifestyle, come midterms or finals time, you might find your routine falling apart and your sleep, unfortunately, getting pushed aside. When you need some support to create a consistent sleep routine or improve the quality of your rest time, consider using Xula’s Lights Out gels. Formulated with hemp, passionflower, chamomile, valerian, lemon balm, and anise seed, this supplement helps restore your circadian rhythm, eases the mind and body, and promotes longer, more restful sleep. This game-changer comes in softgels and drops.
Xula Herbs Xula Herbs’ Lights Out Gels, $, available at Xula Herbs
And on those days when you need the extra energy boost, you’ll want to invest in a quality coffee maker. The De’Longhi Dedica Duo manual coffee maker crafts hot and iced drinks and includes a professional barista kit (with a portafilter, professional tamper, measuring scoop, and single and double filter baskets) so that you have everything you need right in your dorm room or off-campus apartment. Its sleek design, digital display, and steam wand also add beauty to your counter and your mug.
De’Longhi De’Longhi Dedica Duo Manual Coffee Maker, $, available at DeLonghi
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