I believe I’ve perfected the backpack staples. I’m never wanting for anything, never forgetting something at home. The following is a list of everything I carry in my backpack at all times:
- Laptop and charger
Okay, let’s start with an obvious one. My laptop and its charger stay in my bag for any online work I need to get done. I’m not sure what college student isn’t carrying around some kind of laptop or tablet, so we just can move on without any more explanation.
- Binder and pencil case
Despite using my laptop for online assignments, I still take notes on paper. I found early on in my college career that taking notes on my computer was incredibly distracting and barely engaging—when I spent an entire class copying PowerPoint notes into Google Docs rather than listening to the professor explain what the notes meant, I realized that I needed a new way of processing information. Now, I take notes by hand, forcing me to pick and choose what information is most relevant. Studies suggest that taking notes by hand improves learning and memory, so I’ve decided to stick to the old way of doing things.
- 16 oz water bottle
Either this feels self-explanatory or you might be wondering why I carry such a tiny water bottle around. Well, the truth is that any water bottle over 16 ounces is ridiculously heavy and takes up an absurd amount of space in a bag meant to be carried all day. My 16 oz water bottle might not be the biggest, but it’s still enough to keep me hydrated. And if I find myself getting through a bottle a day, then great! Refilling shows me I’ve been staying on top of my hydration.
- Kindle
I use an e-reader for one main reason: I’m tired of carrying multiple books around. When I used physical copies of books, they would eventually get bent in my bag, or I would bring the wrong book to class, or I would forget them altogether. Having my Kindle in my bag saves space and I know all my materials are in one place. Plus, I don’t feel guilty about ruining a book’s copy with a highlighter or pencil—all my notes can be erased with one tap.
- Beauty bag
Yes, I have a zip-up pouch in my backpack dedicated to wellness. Contents include: birth control, travel-size deodorant, perfume roller, aquaphor, hair bands, a tampon, and hand cream. When I’ve had a long day I don’t have to worry about smelling, and having my birth control on me at all times eases anxieties about not being able to take it at the right time. I suggest that everyone create their own beauty bag with mini sizes of their most-used daily products.
- Emergency granola bar
Everyone needs an emergency snack. I find that granola bars are my favorite balance of delicious and healthy, so I feel good about having a midday snack even if I don’t have time for a meal. Other emergency snacks might include fruit snacks, trail mix, or a bag of fresh veggies (if you have the time to prepare one every morning).
My backpack staples are simple, but they do the job. My bag isn’t heavy, and I often think about how little I really need on a daily basis. I hope that my backpack staples give you inspiration for your own.