As the school year begins, everyone needs school supplies. But the dilemma students often face is what to buy: Do you go with a notebook, folder, binder or just hope for the best and wing it? While I'm sure having one notebook for all of your classes works for some people, here is why having a binder per class works best:

1. PowerPoints

Many of my professors over the years have put PowerPoint online so we can have them for class. I like printing said PowerPoints, putting them in the binder, and taking notes on them. That way, I have the important notes already and can write down what the teacher is saying and really pay attention. Plus, when I just print the PowerPoints without a binder, I often lose them.

2. Notes

If the teacher does not use PowerPoint, you have one place where all of your notes will be, and you can add or subtract as many pages as you want.

3. Hole-punched sheets

When you get back a test, a quiz, or are given classwork, you do not want to lose that. Keep it all in one binder, and then when you need to study, it's all right there.

4. Easy to navigate

In a binder, you can use separators, add folders, and organize your notes. Unlike a folder or notebook, if you add a lot to it, it won't break. If you have a notebook and folder for a class, two things are easier to misplace than one, and you can just toss your binder in your backpack and be ready to go for class.

5. Cheap

Binder's are not that expensive, especially if you go to Target, DollarStore or Job Lots. Just stock up and label each before workloads get heavy.

6. Studying

Whenever you have a test or quiz, all of your notes are in one place, making it convenient to bring to the library or a review session.

7. Future references

Maybe I'm just weird, but I keep my notes from my major/minor-related classes in case I need them in the future.

Happy studying!