The Must-Buy Y2K School Supplies
What was on your back-to-school essentials list in the 2000s? A new backpack, glittery gel pens, a neon pencil box, and Ugg boots? Even if you've been out of school for a while, you probably remember how exciting it was to gear up for that first day of class, despite your lingering disappointment that summer was over. Every year was a new you, after all. If you're ready to relive that Y2K nostalgia, here are 20 things that were definitely on your back-to-school wishlist in the 2000s.
1. Backpack
Even if your backpack from last year was still relatively new, you were now moving up a grade, so of course, you needed an updated one. A new bag probably came first on your list, and if it wasn't a Reebok or JanSport-branded one, it was a cute one your parents got a deal on at Walmart.
2. Lunchbox
Next up on your list? A new lunchbox. Unless you were the kind of kid or teen who threw a thermos or a thing of Lunchables in your bag and called it a day, you needed something to hold onto all your snacks and boxes. Even better if it matched your backpack.
3. Erasable Colored Pencils
If you were in elementary or middle school, it wasn't just colored pencils that were on your shopping list—erasable colored pencils were on there, too. You've seen their magic demonstrated by your friends, and you needed to get your hands on them.
4. Scented Highlighters
Normal highlighters were one thing, but scented ones were on a whole other level. Plus, they were versatile: not only could you use them to flag down chunks of text, you could also sniff at them when you were bored in class. Orange-scented highlighter, anyone?
5. Pencil Case & Box
Whether it was a small and cute pencil case to carry your essentials—pencil, eraser, pens, highlighters—or a big, clunky box to carry all the colored pencils and markers you own, these were on your list. The most popular one everyone seemed to use? The one with the neon lid.
6. Pencil Sharpener
Unless you only used mechanical or stackable pencils (remember those?), you probably needed a new sharpener. And while you could get by with the tiny ones that fit in the palm of your hand, it was those huge box-shaped ones with the turning handle and cute designs you secretly wished for.
7. Lead Pencils & Refills
Speaking of mechanical pencils, if you were the type to collect these, you probably had a bunch of them in your pencil case. You technically don't need a new one every year, given how durable most lead pencils are, but that didn't stop you from buying more with designs you liked.
8. Correction Tape or Fluid
You couldn't forget about correction tape! How else would you white-out mistakes written in pen? Whether it was the pen-type, fluid, or tape version, you were adding this to your cart. Heck, they probably seemed revolutionary and futuristic at the time, too.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
9. Binders & Folders
You couldn't forget about the binders, folders, and notebooks. Unless you were in elementary or middle school in the 2000s (which meant you probably had them provided to you), you needed different binders and books to separate all the subjects you were taking. You likely also bought reinforcement rings to ensure your paper didn't rip from your binder.
10. Felt Markers
Colored pencils and scented highlighters weren't the only pens in your newly bought pencil box; you had to buy felt markers, too. Even though you probably didn't need them or reach for them as much as the other ones in your stationery set, you still had to get them.
11. Glitter Gel Pens
Sure: sparkly, glitter gel pens were messy to use as they'd get all over your papers, hands, and just about everything you touched, but they were another essential to add to your pencil box. You needed them for those fancy projects and assignments, after all.
12. Calculator
Full-sized calculators, clip-on calculators, keychain calculators... no matter the size, shape, or type, you probably had dozens of these lying around, either in your locker, desk, or pencil case. In a sense, they were more accessory than anything, but you, of course, did need them during math class.
13. Back-to-School Outfit
New school year, new you, right? Other than rocking a new backpack, you had to have an outfit that matched your new aesthetic, now that you're a year older. Whatever was trending at that time in fashion—tanks, low-rise denim, miniskirts, and messenger hats—you had it all noted down so you could wow all your classmates on the first day of class.
14. Shoes
You obviously needed new kicks to go with your back-to-school outfit, so this was the next on your list of things to buy. Ugg boots, dad sneakers, and classic Nikes were probably the go-tos, but that didn't stop you from picking footwear that matched your clothes, even if they technically weren't "school-appropriate." (Six-inch skinny heels, anyone?)
15. Motorola Razr or Nokia
Whether you wanted to copy Paris Hilton and get a fiery magenta Motorola Razr or just blend in with everyone else and rock a Nokia 3310, the bottom line was: you needed your own cell phone. How else were you going to text all your friends and have late-night chats with them when MSN wasn't working?
16. iPod
The moment the first iPod was released, you were eyeing it and writing it down on your back-to-school shopping list. Sure, it was probably out of your budget at the time, but that didn't stop you from begging your parents for it as an early birthday present. Even if you had a cell phone, you likely couldn't play your favorite music on it (unless you had a device that shipped with iTunes, like the Razr V3i), so an iPod was an absolute need.
17. Trendy Jacket or Coat
Winter coats with fur-lined hoods probably topped your back-to-school shopping list, too. It was either that, a denim jacket, or a leather bomber. After all, you needed to still look stylish even when it was cold, and you weren't going to just grab one off the rack from Walmart.
18. Juicy Couture Tracksuit
The Juicy Couture matching tracksuit set was as popular as Uggs, low-rise denim, and other fashion staples in the 2000s, so of course, you had to get your hands on it as well. Both stylish and comfortable, this was practically the equivalent of wearing pajamas to class.
19. Water Bottle
You have to keep hydrated in class, right? A new water bottle was a must on your back-to-school list, preferably one that had cool mechanisms or designs you could show off to your seatmates in class. Oh, and it had to match your backpack.
20. Tamagotchi
Tamagotchis were all the rage back in the 2000s, and no matter if you were a kid or a teen, you definitely had this on your shopping list. Not only could you use them as little decorations on your backpack, you could also play and connect with friends during recess and lunch.
