What you need to take with you to sixth form or college

Here's a checklist of items that might come in handy

Starting college means you get to wear your own clothes, choose your own subjects and call your teachers by their first names.

But with all the new freedom, it can be easy to forget the essentials – here are some things you may need at sixth form.

• Read more: 11 things A-level students wish they'd known

Stationery and academic

So, what utensils do you need to get work done? TSR member freedomyak says: "Get two to three pens and pencils along with a rubber, sharpener and a ruler."

A diary is "very useful" for making notes of homework, according to Tabers. "Get an academic one that goes from halfway this year to summer next year."

But Eva.Gregoria thinks it's more about attitude: "I literally went in with a black pen and a notepad and a desire to learn and still managed to get good grades. Elaborate, fancy stationery doesn't work for everyone."

Here's the full list of recommendations from students: 

• Diary, planner or timetable

• Highlighters

• Pens (a black biro or black ballpoint pen is needed for exams)

• Pencils and sharpener

• Rulers

• Rubber

• Pencil case

• Calculator (natural display if you're taking any maths subjects)

• Graphic calculator (for further maths)

• Folders

• Books

• Textbooks

• Memory card or USB stick

• Laptop or tablet

• Lined or squared paper

Other bits you might need

There are a few non-academic things you'll need at college – including "lots of motivation", according to s_axo.

But if you want something more concrete, here's what students recommend: 

• Money or canteen card 
• Student ID card or discount card
• Tissues or wipes
• Plasters
• Bottle of drink
• Packed lunch (if you don't want to buy food every day!)

Of course, you don't have to take everything listed above – it's more of a reminder of different items you might not want to forget.