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Students’ 2025 Back to School Must-Haves

Outside school supplies, students are buying trendy water bottles, and college students are loving bag charms this back to school season…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Aug 7 2025
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Back to school shopping isn’t just about stocking up on school supplies anymore—for students, it’s about staying on trend as well
Water bottles are a top must have, with students planning to pick up the latest viral addition
From plushies to personalized charms, college students especially plan to buy keychains and bag charms for the next semester

Back to school season is still a key shopping moment for students of all ages. Whether they’re paying or their parents are, YPulse’s Back to School Shopping report shows 88% of middle / high students and 69% of college students are planning to do back to school shopping this year. But where the bulk of spending may have gone to notebooks and clothes for older gens, young consumers’ back to school shopping lists now include everything from skincare to new accessories, too. They’ve got their eyes on what’s trending with their peers, but prioritizing the brands and products that reflect...