Joybuy Insights

School and office supplies: how to choose practical items that suit your needs

Buying school and office supplies seems straightforward… until the notebooks fall apart, the pens dry out, or the accessories take over your desk. A student, a parent, a teacher, an employee or a remote worker won't have the same expectations. A product that's ideal for jotting down quick notes won't necessarily stand up to heavy professional use.

Before you fill your basket, take a moment to avoid these common pitfalls.

Common pitfalls when buying

  • Relying only on looks: a colourful cover or a modern design tells you nothing about the paper weight, the strength of the binding, or how comfortable it is to use.
  • Overlooking the size: a notebook that's too big weighs down your bag, while one that's too small quickly shows its limits in class or during meetings.
  • Confusing quantity with savings: a bulk pack is only worthwhile if its contents genuinely match your needs. Pens that end up at the back of a drawer or incompatible accessories will end up costing you more.
  • Forgetting about compatibility: with computers, a foreign keyboard can make typing accents and common characters tricky. In France, the AZERTY layout is generally the most practical.

The criteria to check before you choose

1. Size and capacity

At school, notebooks in 17 × 22 cm format fit easily into a rucksack. Seyès ruling is ideal for learning and practising handwriting in France. For homework, folders or detailed note-taking, the 24 × 32 cm format offers more space.

Notebooks and undated diaries serve a different purpose: portability. An A6 notebook slips into a pocket or small bag. An A5 undated diary is better suited to tracking projects, making lists and planning your schedule at your own pace.

2. Paper and binding

Paper weight is a good indicator, but it's not the only one. Paper of 90 to 100 gsm generally offers a more pleasant writing surface and reduces show-through compared to very thin paper. Also think about checking the ruling: lined, squared or Seyès should match the way you work.

The binding directly affects how long your notebook will last. A spiral binding often allows the notebook to lie flat and makes one-handed note-taking easy. A polypropylene cover protects the pages better from spills and scuffs. For everyday school use, integrated pockets are also very handy for keeping loose sheets within easy reach.

3. Precision of instruments and ergonomics

HB pencils are suitable for everyday writing and light sketching. A 0.5 mm mechanical pencil gives a consistent line, ideal for precise annotations. For corrections, choose an eraser that's big enough to be easy to find in your pencil case.

Multi-coloured ballpoint pens let you distinguish headings, remarks and important information without needing lots of different instruments. Pastel highlighters structure a page without completely hiding the text. A 30 cm ruler should have clear markings and be rigid enough to draw straight lines.

At the office, focus on the features you actually need. A desk calculator with a large display makes repetitive calculations easier, while an A4 document organiser helps you separate invoices, files and post. For a wireless keyboard and mouse, check the connection type, the stated range, the power source and the AZERTY layout.

Our selection by profile

Recommended for: beginners on a budget
Pack of 3 OXFORD Easybook Oceanis notebooks 17 x 22 cm, Seyès ruling, 96 pages

OXFORD Easybook Oceanis: pack of 3 notebooks 17 × 22 cm, Seyès ruling, 96 pages

Why this choice suits this profile: this pack of three 17 × 22 cm notebooks lets pupils organise their notes by subject without having to buy lots of separate items.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The Seyès ruling and 96 pages per notebook are clearly stated: no risk of choosing the wrong size or page count.

Main advantage and key features

Pack of 3 notebooks, 17 × 22 cm format, 96 pages and stapled binding.

Recommended for: lovers of premium products
Jubiluu A5 undated diary, hard cover, 18 months

Jubiluu A5 undated diary, hard cover, 18 months

Why this choice suits this profile: its A5 format and hard cover are aimed at those who want to structure their projects with a quality, reusable organiser that adapts to their needs.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The undated format means you won't waste pages if the diary sits in a drawer for a few weeks.

Main advantage and key features

224 pages, 100 gsm offset paper, hard cover, bookmark ribbon and elastic closure.

Recommended for: specific uses and heavy users
ET silent wireless keyboard and mouse set, French AZERTY

ET silent wireless keyboard and mouse set, French AZERTY

Why this choice suits this profile: this duo is ideal for remote working and shared desks that need a cable-free connection between the keyboard, mouse and computer.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The French 105-key layout is clearly stated, as is the single receiver and the stated 10-metre range.

Main advantage and key features

AZERTY keyboard, optical mouse, 2.4 GHz connection, stated 10-metre range and wrist rest.

Recommended for: students and on-the-go note-taking
Pack of 4 M&G Meeboki spiral notebooks A7

M&G Meeboki: pack of 4 spiral notebooks in A7 format

Why this choice suits this profile: these small notebooks are perfect for quickly jotting down a list, a reminder or an idea, whether in a bag or on a desk.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The A7 format is clearly intended for short notes: there's no point expecting a pocket notebook to have the capacity of a full-size exercise book.

Main advantage and key features

Pack of 4 notebooks, squared paper, 50 sheets per notebook and spiral binding with top opening.

Looking for other options?

We've selected a complete range, updated in real time, of products that meet these demanding criteria and European safety standards.

Frequently asked questions about school and office supplies

What budget should I allow for school and office supplies?

It all depends on how often you'll use them and the level of durability you're after. To get started, go for packs of notebooks, HB pencils, erasers and multi-coloured pens. For a desk used every day, add some storage accessories, a desk calculator or a suitable keyboard and mouse set.

How can I make my supplies last longer?

Keep paper in a dry place, avoid bending the covers, and store pens with their caps on or their mechanisms closed. Empty your sharpener regularly, clean your ruler with a soft cloth, and replace refills rather than the whole instrument whenever possible.

Which accessories should I choose to organise a desk?

An A4 document organiser is handy for sorting files and post. White tack can be used to temporarily fix notes to non-porous surfaces. Always check compatibility with the surface and test it on a small area first. Finally, an AZERTY wireless keyboard and mouse set helps free up space on your work surface.