If you’re in uni, you’re probably well aware of the fact that semester one kicks off next week (or you’re deep in summer mode and this article is your rude awakening). Whether you’re excited for the new year, dreading it, or are completely indifferent about your upcoming year of study, 2026 is the year you kick your ass into gear and pass your course with flying colours. No more ‘Ps get degrees’. This year, you’re setting yourself up for success by getting all the uni essentials that are gonna make your life easier.
As someone who 1. Survived three and a half years of uni, and 2. Is type A to an absolute T, I can confidently say I had my uni set up down pat. Rarely did I ever catch myself in a situation where I didn’t have the tools I needed to take notes, tune out all the BS, and get shit done.
So, if you’re the kind of person who swears this is the semester you’ll “stay on top of things” (but somehow ends up submitting an assignment at 11:58pm with tears in your eyes), this one’s for you. Here are the uni essentials that will help make this year that little bit easier. They might not be able to do your readings for you, but they’ll help you keep your shit in order.
1. A good uni bag
Your brain is as neat as your uni bag, as I like to say. Sure, you can shove all your shit into a threadbare tote, but you’ll likely work up a sweat — and some serious anger issues — rifling through it to find your tiny lip balm hiding right down the bottom. Invest in a quality bag that’s gonna get you through your degree, one that has compartments to keep all your bits and bobs organised.
A student favourite is Charles & Keith, a Singaporean brand that does affordable, faux leather bags and accessories. If you want to spend a little more on a real leather bag, Wolff Studios’s Sydney Tote has a bunch of compartments that make all your essentials easy to reach. Orbitkey is another brand great for student life; these guys take organisation to the next level.
We’ve rounded up more of our favourite work bags that can easily work for your university adventures over here.
2. A laptop that actually works
This may sound obvious, but I can’t stress how important having a functioning laptop is. I’ve tried to get through a semester with a dodgy computer before, and when I tell you it’s a bad idea, it’s a horrible idea.
It ended up dying on me mid-assignment, and I lost all of my progress that I’d been working on for weeks. I hadn’t backed up my laptop, either, so all my hard work vanished down the drain. You’d expect iCloud to work, right?
Wrong.
Don’t run that risk, bestie. It may cost an arm and a leg, but the amount of stress you’ll save future you is priceless.
3. A Laptop sleeve
There’s no point investing in a good laptop if you’re just gonna leave it loose in your bag to get beat up and bruised by everything else clanging around in there. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get a laptop case — all you need is something with decent cushioning. If you’re an absolute clutz like me, however, you might wanna invest in something extra sturdy in the off-chance you drop it.
If you’re looking for an affordable option that’ll get the job done, The Somewhere Co works a treat. But if you want something that’ll get you through rain, hail or shine, as well as your special affinity for tripping over your own feet, Burga’s laptop sleeves have gone through rigorous testing, including surviving 26 military-grade drops. Georgia Mae sits as a good in-between.
4. A Hard drive
If my laptop dying mid-assignment story wasn’t enough to convince you to invest in a good laptop, then for peace and love, please buy a portable hard drive. Even if you have a perfectly-functioning computer and pay for extra iCloud storage, you can never be too careful. After shit hit the fan for me during my uni days, I bought myself a WD Elements hard drive and backed up my computer once a month (if you can be bothered, do it more regularly).
5. Noise-cancelling headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones will become your new best friend in uni. While normal headphones and earphones work perfectly fine, adding in the noise-cancelling factor takes both your listening experience and productivity to the next level.
Commuting on the train into class? Now you don’t have to hear the entire phone conversation of the person sitting next to you (although sometimes the TMI is juicy). Studying in a cafe? You can lock TF in while still enjoying your coffee. Trying to get shit done but people keep on bothering you? Pop your headphones on, and they’ll get the message.
We’ve rounded up a wider range of our favourite noise-cancelling headphones over here.
6. A 2026 diary
If you don’t already have a 2026 diary, fix that ASAP. They’re key to keeping on top of your assignments during the semester, because let’s face it, without a diary, you’re likely losing track of what’s due and rushing to complete a half-assed assignment at 11:45pm when it’s due at 11:59pm. A diary is also super helpful to lay your brain out on a page and make sense of it all.
Want some more options? Check out our guide to the best 2026 diaries and planners here.
7. A trusty notebook
Who even takes notes on paper these days, you ask? Not many, I’ll admit. But carrying around a notebook won’t just give you aura points for looking cool and mysterious as you sit under the shade of a tree and journal in-between classes. They’re great for jotting down ideas, taking a break from screens, and getting back to your pen and paper roots. IDK if there’s any scientific evidence behind it, but I feel like I absorb more information when I take my notes by hand.
8. A lunch box
If you complain that your money disappears every time you step on campus, it’s probably because you’re spending it all on food. ‘But there’s nowhere to heat up food!’, you argue. That’s a lie, my friend. University campuses have heaps of microwaves lurking about, you simply haven’t found them yet.
If saving money is one of your priorities this year, meal prep and bring your food to campus in a cute lil lunch box. No more excuses!
9. An insulated water bottle
Paying for a plastic, single-use water bottle every single time you go into uni ain’t gonna cut it this year. Not only is it bad for your wallet, it’s also bad for the environment. For long days spent going to all your classes, an insulated bottle will keep your water chilled. It’ll probably become your emotional support bottle during exam time, too.
10. A Portable charger
This may seem obvious, but having a portable charger always on hand is essential for when you’re at uni. Whether your laptop dies on you while you’re studying outside, or your phone is on two per cent on the train ride home, being caught without juice for your tech is an absolute annoyance. If you aren’t afraid to spend some dosh, I’d recommend buying a power bank that’s powerful enough to charge your laptop, like this one from Anker. Otherwise, Cygnett is a trusty phone portable charger, and Ugreen is a slim, Magsafe one that clips to the back of your phone.
11. An e-reader
Okay, so this isn’t exactly an essential, but it’s definitely a nice-to-have. If you’re a book worm and enjoy reading on your commute into uni or on your breaks, an e-reader will allow you to bring your entire library along with you — and save space in your bag while doing it. Some textbooks can even be downloaded on your e-reader, so you won’t have to lug them around. Kindles and kobos are both great. The Kindle Colorsoft lets you read in colour, but the Kobo Libra Colour also doubles as a notebook if you have the stylus accessory. You can’t go wrong with either, TBH.
Good luck for the semester ahead!
Lead image: Wolff Studios / @focuswithmia / Georgia Mae
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