It happens to everybody at some point. You pull out that map assignment the night before it is due, and discover you need to trace the borders of Africa in coloured pencils! What do you do? If you're like lots of students, you yell "Mommmmm!"

But a late-night trip to the store wastes valuable time. One of the best ways to be successful in high school is to be prepared for any assignment that comes your way. It is a good idea to keep an inventory of supplies on hand, so you'll be ready when it counts. This list contains recommendations for the beginning of the year.

General supplies for every senior school student::

Some supplies are necessary year after year, no matter what grade you are in, so when you are planning for a new school year, it is a pretty safe bet to invest in the following:

[bul]Three Computer discs

[bul]Three-ring binder

[bul]Backpack

[bul]Coloured pencils

[bul]Coloured pens

[bul]Eraser

[bul]Glue stick

[bul]Graph paper

[bul]Hand sanitiser

[bul]Highlighters

[bul]Internet access

[bul]Markers

[bul]Organiser/planner

[bul]Paper clips

[bul]Pens/pencils

[bul]Pencil sharpener

[bul]Pocket dictionary

[bul]Pocket folders

[bul]Poster paper

[bul]Ream of computer paper

[bul]Scissors

[bul]Spiral notebook

[bul]Stapler

[bul]Thesaurus/Dictionary

[bul]Tissues

Some extra supplies will be necessary each year, but the specific requirements will differ from school to school and grade to grade so it's best to get the list from your particular school. However, a general guideline for students from grade 10 - 12 for particular subjects include the following:

[bul]Algebra II - Scientific calculator with fraction key

[bul]Geometry - Scientific calculator with fraction key, circular protractor, ruler marked with inch and centimetre and a compass

[bul]Foreign Language -Index cards and foreign Language Dictionary

[bul]Biology II - Science/Biology dictionary

[bul]Calculus - Graphing calculator, such as TI -83 or 86Graphing paper

[bul]Accounting - Four-function calculator with percent key

[bul]Foreign Language - 3x5 Index cards, foreign language dictionary/translator

[bul]Marketing - Four-function calculator with percent key

[bul]Statistics - Scientific calculator with fraction key

[bul]Chemistry - Scientific calculator

[bul]Physics - Scientific calculator

For tips on backpacks, packing lunches, uniforms and beating the back-to-school blues, visit www.backtoschool.about.com