Headset . . . this way you don't have to keep borrowing whatever the FBO has laying around, or renting if your FBO makes you rent one . . . besides, you will need one when you are done so might as well get it now.
Flashlight . . . don't count on the interior lights to be working when you make night trips, plus to help preflight the plane in the dark. [may not need now, but look into down the road]
You should get a basic flight bag when you get the materials for your course . . . black Jeppesen.
Number of things will come in handy for cross-country trips:
- Kneeboard
- Pencils (I like the mechanical pencils, tip breaks off, get more lead out)
- Sectional (get one now to help study symbols/airspace/navigation)
other little things!