It may seem like a small thing to worry about, but when it was time for my freshman year of college, what to carry in my backpack was something I contemplated for a long time. I was constantly worried I might leave something important behind, which resulted in me stuffing my bag full of stuff I never touched. Now, a year later, I think I have finally mastered what I need in my backpack to make it through a long day of college classes.
1—The basics. First things first, you need all of the materials required for your classes. For me, I like to carry a notebook and folder for each class, and if it’s required, the textbook for the class. I also carry a few of my favorite, pens, pencils, and highlighters in a pencil case.
2—Electronics. No matter what, always make sure to bring your laptop. Whether it’s for note taking, pulling up the online textbook, or the occasional scroll through Facebook during a long lecture, your laptop is a backpack essential. Make sure to bring the charger as well; the last thing you want is to open up your laptop in class just to find out it’s at 2 percent and your charger is at home.
3—A good planner. Keeping an organized planner is easily one of the most helpful things I’ve learned in college. Always carry around a nice planner to jot down due dates or a friend’s birthday. Trust me, your planner will become your new best friend! I also like to carry around some planner stickers to mark important dates.
4—Things to keep you comfortable. I always make sure to carry around a sweatshirt, scrunchie, sunglasses, and my prescription glasses. Even in the middle of summer, you’ll always have that one class that is absolutely freezing, and having a sweatshirt with you is an easy solution to this problem. When you step outside of that classroom, though, the summer heat will still be there, and having a scrunchie to pull your hair back and some sunglasses to throw on is always helpful.
5—Water. During a long day of classes, it’s easy to forget about staying hydrated. I make sure to always carry a large water bottle with me to remind me to stay hydrated throughout the day. Similarly, I always make sure to carry a protein bar with me for the days where I don’t have time to stop for a meal, but don’t want to sit through a long lecture hungry.
6—Extras. As a few extra items, I always make sure to carry hand sanitizer, hand lotion, lip balm, and gum. These items are essential in my everyday life, so having them in my backpack is essential too!
What are some of the items you keep in your backpack that you couldn’t live without? Let me know by commenting down below!
