Everyday Essentials for Every Student
No matter how digital college life becomes, pens, pencils and highlighters remain must-have items in every student’s kit. From jotting down lecture notes to underlining key revision points, having the right writing tools can help you stay organised, focused and on top of your studies.
Popular Pens, Pencils & Highlighters
Types of Pens and Their Uses
Ballpoint Pens
- Ideal for everyday writing – reliable and low-maintenance.
- Available in a range of colours, especially useful for colour-coded notes.
- Long-lasting and smudge-resistant.
Gel Pens
- Known for their smooth ink flow and vibrant colours.
- Great for making notes more engaging or adding detail to diagrams.
- May take slightly longer to dry than ballpoints.
Fountain Pens
- Popular for neat handwriting and a more traditional writing experience.
- Often used in coursework or creative writing.
- Require regular refilling and a bit of care, but many students love them for their quality feel.
Types of Pencils
Standard Graphite Pencils (HB, 2B, etc.)
- Perfect for sketching diagrams, making rough notes, or subjects like art and design.
- Easy to erase and ideal for quick working out.
- Grades vary in hardness (H) and softness (B), with HB being the all-rounder for general use.
Mechanical Pencils
- No sharpening required – always sharp and precise.
- Great for maths, technical drawing or revision notes.
- Refillable and long-lasting.
Highlighters
Chisel Tip Highlighters
- The most common type, great for highlighting text cleanly and evenly.
- Wide tip for headings, narrow edge for precise lines.
- Popular for revision and colour-coded note-taking.
Pastel Highlighters
- A softer, more eye-friendly option than traditional neon shades.
- Increasingly popular among students who prefer a gentler look for their notes.
Reliable Brands Students Trust
- BIC – Affordable and widely used, with classic pens and pencils for everyday use.
SaleBestseller No. 1
- Staedtler – Trusted for high-quality pencils and mechanical options.
SaleBestseller No. 1
- Pilot – Known for smooth gel pens and erasable ink options.
- Stabilo – A favourite for highlighters, especially the Boss and pastel ranges.
- Pentel – Well-regarded for writing quality and refillable pens.
- Faber-Castell – A go-to for premium pencils and highlighters with a long-lasting finish.
SaleBestseller No. 1
Browse Bestselling Highlighters
Why It’s Worth Stocking Up
- Essential for taking lecture notes and writing assignments
- Helps with organisation, planning and revision
- Encourages creative thinking through colour and layout
- Handy to keep spares – pens always go missing!
From a classic biro to a set of pastel highlighters, having a good mix of writing tools can make your study sessions more productive and enjoyable. They’re affordable, portable, and practical – and a small investment in the right stationery can go a long way in helping you succeed at college or sixth form.
Browse Bestselling Pens & Pencils