Your handy backpack is what carries your weight and is your constant pal as you make your way through campus. This backpack might have helped you survive in high school (if you needed a backpack), or maybe it’s brand new and waterproof (one could only be so lucky). Either way, here is your survival guide to what you should keep inside your handy pack that sometimes breaks your back.
I will do my best to explain what I keep in my backpack, where I keep it and maybe possible locations for common backpacks I see around campus every day.
Your backpack may be different. My backpack is a nice, black, Patagonia, with more pockets than even I know what to do with!
We will start slow, easy and simple. Most backpacks have the two pockets on the sides for various objects. Obviously, on one side you put a beverage holder of some sort. I prefer the Contigo water bottle with my monogram so it doesn’t get lost. But what many do not know is there is typically room for something else! What you may ask? My umbrella. You might think it’s unusual or silly, but when it starts pouring rain on a sunny Wednesday afternoon and you’re suddenly dripping wet, you might reconsider the idea. I keep the umbrella in the side pocket at all times.
Now, there’s another side pocket. This is typically where I put my keys, cell phone, and sunglasses. Some might be able to fit the wallet here as well- easy access and ready to use in an instant.
I will do my best to explain what I keep in my backpack, where I keep it and maybe possible locations for common backpacks I see around campus every day.
Your backpack may be different. My backpack is a nice, black, Patagonia, with more pockets than even I know what to do with!
We will start slow, easy and simple. Most backpacks have the two pockets on the sides for various objects. Obviously, on one side you put a beverage holder of some sort. I prefer the Contigo water bottle with my monogram so it doesn’t get lost. But what many do not know is there is typically room for something else! What you may ask? My umbrella. You might think it’s unusual or silly, but when it starts pouring rain on a sunny Wednesday afternoon and you’re suddenly dripping wet, you might reconsider the idea. I keep the umbrella in the side pocket at all times.
Now, there’s another side pocket. This is typically where I put my keys, cell phone, and sunglasses. Some might be able to fit the wallet here as well- easy access and ready to use in an instant.
Now, the front pockets… This is where the magic happens, but also where backpacks vary the most. So here is what the front of my backpack looks like. At the top, there is a very small pocket. This very small pocket contains travel- size Advil, chapstick, hand sanitizer, gum, cough drops and bandaids: the real necessities. They all fit in that tiny little bonus pocket! I can’t spare room for these items anywhere else so this works nicely. Below that is an area to slide things in, but it doesn’t have a zipper. The Salesman told me that’s his favorite spot for his iPad. Personally, I don’t want my iPad hanging out in a pocket that it could slide out of or get wet, but that’s just me. He had a good suggestion at least. Honestly, I don’t really use that pocket.
Now there’s the large front pocket. Don’t get this confused with the main body of the backpack though. I’m talking about the larger front pocket where they still think we are going to put each pen in its separate slot because we have time for that. Yes, that one. My backpack has a couple of little pockets inside of here but also just some catchall room. In the cute little pockets, I put sticky notes, my clicker, pens, pencils, sharpies, highlighters, white out, tissues and binder clips. Yes, I like school supplies a lot. But your best friends thank you every time you have that item they need but don’t have, and it’s an opportunity to give yourself a pat on the back every time you actually have something that you need. Now the catchall room is where I put my five calculators (I’m an accounting major), my glasses, my wallet and occasionally a meal bar or snack. I also used to keep a pair of socks in here for late nights in the library because my feet are constantly freezing, but I know that might just be a personal problem and might not apply to everyone. But on a side note, check the weather. And girls, you can count on freezing in the Willy T. Library. It’s really just a fact at this point. Anyway, put all necessities you find best fit for your life in here, but I think I certainly cover all of them.
Now there’s the large front pocket. Don’t get this confused with the main body of the backpack though. I’m talking about the larger front pocket where they still think we are going to put each pen in its separate slot because we have time for that. Yes, that one. My backpack has a couple of little pockets inside of here but also just some catchall room. In the cute little pockets, I put sticky notes, my clicker, pens, pencils, sharpies, highlighters, white out, tissues and binder clips. Yes, I like school supplies a lot. But your best friends thank you every time you have that item they need but don’t have, and it’s an opportunity to give yourself a pat on the back every time you actually have something that you need. Now the catchall room is where I put my five calculators (I’m an accounting major), my glasses, my wallet and occasionally a meal bar or snack. I also used to keep a pair of socks in here for late nights in the library because my feet are constantly freezing, but I know that might just be a personal problem and might not apply to everyone. But on a side note, check the weather. And girls, you can count on freezing in the Willy T. Library. It’s really just a fact at this point. Anyway, put all necessities you find best fit for your life in here, but I think I certainly cover all of them.
Headphones and chargers are their own topic. If your backpack has a cool laptop slip in the main body pocket, I put my chargers in there. In this fancy Patagonia backpack, I recently discovered a tiny pocket on top that is about 3” deep and I can put my headphones in here as well. However, the chargers still go in the laptop section. If you don’t have a laptop section, you can put headphones and chargers in the large front pocket, or you can carelessly throw these crucial items on top of your books at the end - whatever floats your boat.
And last but not least, your books go in the main body of the backpack that is made for books. I know, shocking right?
So you see, I have spent a lot of time with my backpack and filling it with the perfect necessities to get me through the long days of filling our brains with knowledge. I told you to become besties with your backpack, and I hope you take my advice and experience seriously. I don’t want you getting stranded out there.
Peace, love, and backpack on
And last but not least, your books go in the main body of the backpack that is made for books. I know, shocking right?
So you see, I have spent a lot of time with my backpack and filling it with the perfect necessities to get me through the long days of filling our brains with knowledge. I told you to become besties with your backpack, and I hope you take my advice and experience seriously. I don’t want you getting stranded out there.
Peace, love, and backpack on