By Ashley Yenick, Student at Merrimack College

So it’s almost time for school, which means it’s time to start packing up your clothes and deciding which ones to keep at home and which ones to take with you to school.

I have a couple of items that are a must when it comes to packing for school. I personally bring some summer clothes with me in the fall because it’s still hot where I am and then I bring some sweaters, but I wouldn’t recommend bringing all of your winter clothes just yet!

My first item is a plain black blazer. Kristen Wiig created so many looks with blazers in the movie "Bridesmaids," and blazers are so in for this upcoming fall season. A plain black blazer will literally go with everything! There are so many things that you can pair it with: a dress, skinny jeans or even a skirt. What I love about a blazer is that you can dress up an outfit (even if you’re wearing a T-shirt and jeans) and instantly look more fashionable and put together for class.

The second item I have on my list is a slouchy sweater. A slouchy sweater is a perfect choice for either a rainy day or a day when you don’t feel like getting so dressed up for school. This sweater would look so cute with leggings and a pair of boots.

The third item is a raincoat. I believe that this item is an absolute must when any girl goes away to school! I would invest in a quality jacket that you know will last you all four years of college and maybe even after that. I would recommend getting a raincoat a size bigger in case you wanted to wear a sweatshirt or something under it! If you decide to get a light raincoat, it can double as a windbreaker in the spring. Patagonia and North Face have great options that last forever.

The fourth item I have is a pair of yoga pants. I live in yoga pants at school during finals week (or some days during the week when I don’t feel like wearing jeans). On rainy days, I think it’s better to wear yoga pants because I can tuck them into my boots easier. I also think that yoga pants look a lot more put together than bulky sweatpants do.

The fifth item is a saddle bag. I love the versatility of this bag, just like the plain black blazer. This type of bag is definitely going to be popping up everywhere for the fall semester. This back is classy yet stylish at the same time and that’s what I love about this!

The sixth item I have is a pair of rain boots. This goes along with the raincoat: It’s an absolute must! I've invested in pairs from Target or Walmart, but at the end of the year, I would just throw them out because they had gotten holes in the bottom or tears. I suggest investing in a quality brand, such as Hunter, for a really good pair that will last you for a really long time.

The seventh and last item I have on my list is a watch. A lot of professors don’t like when your phone is out on your desk, if you text or even if you check the time. I would buy a watch because it could help you manage your time when you’re on the go or check the time during class to give yourself a heads up of how much time is left.

Happy shopping!

P.S. If you like any of the items featured in the Polyvore set, click on the set, and it will take you to the links of the items!