Top 5 Instagrams: Back to School

I have no idea how this happened: suddenly, it’s the end of August. Sadly, today is my last day as an intern here at HelloSociety, but instead of crying myself to sleep at the thought of saying goodbye, I’m writing this final blog post. Buying back-to-school gear is the only way to console myself about summertime ending. Whether you’re starting high school, entering your final year of college (like me!), or just looking for some September nostalgia, these five back-to-school essentials will make the transition smooth, fun, and easy.

1. Planner

Perfect for Type A folks who need to schedule everything and Type B people who should force themselves to plan more. Erin Condren makes AMAZING, customizable, adorable planners, if you’ve got a spare $ 60 to drop on a notebook with your name on it. (I don’t, but, just LOOK at them! Sometimes I go on the website to design my own, stare at it longingly, and then delete it from my cart.)

2. Coloring Book

For my anxiety compatriots, coloring is awesome stress relief. They’re pretty, colorful, customizable, and methodical. Plus, coloring books are the perfect productive procrastination—you’re creating something and relaxing at the same time. You can buy a fancy one at virtually any bookstore now, or just Google coloring pages and print them yourself. Pop on some fun music and get your color on.

3. Water Bottle

Water bottles are ESSENTIAL for a busy life. Running around campus to classes, meetings, meals, parties, and everything in between is exhausting. Water increases your energy, rejuvenates your skin, cools your body, and brightens your soul. If you’re in the market for a new bottle, look no further than Hydro Flask, my favorite water bottles in existence. Stainless steel, bright colors, simplistic design, insulated, sturdy, beautiful. They keep water cold for 24 hours and coffee hot for 12!!!! Disclaimer: Hydro Flask does not pay me to talk about them constantly, but man, I wish they did.

4. Backpack

Transport yourself back to middle school with a JanSport bag. After all, you need something to carry around your new planner, water bottle, and coloring book in! I love a good backpack—honestly, I always get mine from Target because I’m a Target nerd. (That’s Tar-jay, in case you were wondering.) But JanSport’s got amazing patterns, trustworthy design, and instant cachet. A couple years ago I bought a navy Longchamp tote because I’m a #follower, but I always end up returning to my backpack for school. Ugh, now I want to buy a new one.

5. Coffee

More general than the others, but you know it’s true. Coffee sustains me. I recommend buying a cutesy cup or a sturdy travel mug (…maybe a Hydro Flask?), but the real essential is the coffee itself. Whether black, sugary, or 500 calories of cream and caramel, coffee is the real MVP. Shout out to Summit Coffee, my favorite option in my teeny North Carolinian college town. See ya soon, boo.

Thanks for an amazing summer, HelloSociety! I will miss you dearly! ✨ ✨ ✨

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