You've graduated high school, you've decided on a college to go to, lived (and loved) your summer, and now you're off to begin the next four years of college. Or you could be returning for another exciting year at your college, some maybe in their second year, others about to graduate. Regardless these are some of the best essentials for all college students from Freshman to Senior year.

1. To start you have to have a backpack to put all the essentials for class in. Backpacks can range from simple, to monogrammed, to printed. No matter the look a backpack is crucial.

Pro Tip: a lot girls in the south monogrammed Vera Bradley backpacks are everywhere on campuses. Another thing to remember when buying backpacks is to make sure they will be effective when used

2. Notebooks or binders, pens or pencils, whichever your preference you will need some form of writing utensil and something to write on. With all your classes you will have some form of notes to take.

Pro Tip: using different colored pens is a great way to organize notes and highlight facts or definitions you want to remember.

3. Textbooks. Unless specifically told by a professor, you will need the textbooks you are told to get. Whether it be one book or 10, get them.

Pro Tip: you can always rent textbooks from places, such as Amazon, Chegg, or even your bookstore. There is also places to sell your textbooks if you buy them.

4. Now that you have your backpack, notebooks, pencils, and text books. You're going to need a planner to write everything in. Anything from assignments, tests, papers, work, practices, etc. Write it down so you can remember.

Pro tip:just like backpacks, planners can be fancy or plain. Then like your notes, color coding can be a great way to remember if something is needing to be done ASAP, or could wait till the weekend.

5.For the dorm you will need bedding, laundry hamper, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair care, etc. Basically anything you need in your morning and night routine at home you will need in a dorm also.

Pro Tip: your dorm space is what you make it. To help make you feel at home put some pictures up of your friends and family. Also utilize your space organization and containers for different products.

6. Movies or Netflix, music, and anything else that will help you relax. Once you get into the semester you will feel stress coming on, so it is great to have something to take you away for a bit.

Pro Tip: if you know your roommate before moving in, communicate and figure out movies to bring. That way you

7. If you're a fan of warm or hot drinks such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Then you should definitely get a coffee pot or Keurig to keep in your dorm.

Pro Tip: if your campus has a Starbucks find out if they have a happy hour. It would be a good way to get something different then the coffee in your dorm. Especially when you just can't wait for a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

8. Don't forget to call home to Mom, or Dad or your sibling. Even though you're busy with classes and homework, your family can't wait to hear from you and what all is going on.

Pro Tip: just call your mom and she will be happy. Tell her what's going on because she misses you.

9. Find a club, be in your student government, work in the tutoring center, be a Peer Mentor, give tours, or work study. Find something to do to get involved on campus.

Pro Tip: if there is a club you would like to be in but it is not offered, form it on your own then present it to your student government.

10. Take time out of life to just hang out with your friends. That can be anything from just hanging out in the dorm, getting lunch off campus, or just going to Walmart together.

Pro Tip: find your group of friends hang out, like the Central Perk, and be just as awesome as the Friends cast.

11. Finally, just be yourself. College is about finding out who you truly are. There is tons of people who you will find something in common with. If you just be yourself, chances are you will be happier in the next four years.

Pro Tip: Be. Yourself.