As the new school year begins, it’s time to embrace the Back-to-School season. Unlike in Korea, where teachers often provide everything needed, in the United States, this is the season for personally purchasing school supplies. When you first tackle the list of required items, you might be surprised by the detailed and specific requirements set by the schools.
Preparing for the upcoming semester involves more than just textbooks and notebooks. From specific brands of markers to particular sizes of binders, the school supply list can be quite detailed. Navigating this process can be an eye-opening experience for those accustomed to a more centralized system.
Embracing the Back-to-School season in the U.S. means not only getting ready for classes but also embarking on a journey to gather the precise materials outlined by each school. It’s a unique aspect of the American education system, where students and parents actively participate in the preparation process, ensuring they have everything needed for a successful academic year.
NOTE Example
1 Handledheld pencil
Pack of red correting pen
1 Astrobright papers
…
When you see a list like this, both the brands and the types of school supplies used in the United States may seem unfamiliar, making it challenging to choose. I, too, felt overwhelmed when preparing each item for the first time. In times like these, I’ll share a handy tip to easily gather all the supplies at once!
Walmart app
Living in the United States involves exploring various supermarkets, and Walmart is undoubtedly one of them. Despite the abundance of options available nowadays, Walmart stands out as a traditional powerhouse where you can find almost anything you need. Its strength lies in offering a wide range of products, making it a convenient one-stop-shop for most items.
First, go to the Walmart app or website and search for ‘School supplies.’ You’ll see a place where you can enter the address and school name. Once you search for the school name and select the appropriate grade, you can find the updated list of supplies provided by the school. While some items might be missing, you can quickly check the brands and basic specifications.
If there’s a Walmart nearby, it’s recommended to confirm and use pick-up service. This way, you can save time by reducing the need to go to the store for every small school supply. Additionally, for small items like erasers, it’s more efficient to pick them up since the stock may not match when you go to the store.
Target app
If the nearby store is Target and you usually shop there, you can also find the compiled list here!
When you search for ‘school supplies’ on the Target app, a search box will appear where you can enter the school name and grade information. Once you input the details, you’re done! Choose ‘Pick up’ at the nearby store, and you won’t have to go searching for small school supplies in the store. Opting for pick up not only saves you the hassle but also helps you save on delivery fees, so I recommend applying for pick up and going to the store yourself!
After receiving a notification that your Target order is ready for pickup within 6 hours, you have 3 days to collect it! Some Target stores have dedicated pickup zones outside, while others may require you to park and go inside for pickup. Check with your nearby Target store and conveniently conclude your shopping
Representative Brands for School Supplies in the United States
When I first prepared school supplies in the U.S., I noticed there are commonly used brands. Knowing these basic brands can help you not get confused, especially when words on the list provided by the teacher might be brand names. For example, when it says ‘Papermate,’ I initially thought it referred to some kind of paper. Upon closer inspection, I realized it’s a well-known brand commonly used in the U.S.
When I prepared for the semester’s school supplies, I realized that a basic budget of around $50 is roughly needed. Moreover, since all schools prepare their supplies around the same time, there might be a shortage of stock. So, I hope you use your time and money wisely and find this helpful in getting ready for the semester!
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