College Student Backpack Essentials: Must-Haves for Success
The start of college is always a learning curve. You find yourself in a new place where you have to learn to live on your own, make new friends, and navigate campus life. Backpack essentials may not seem that important, but sometimes what you carry in that bag can make or break you. A perfectly packed backpack is the difference between feeling rejuvenated or exhausted after a walk to class. If you overpack, you add a lot of unnecessary weight, but if you underpack, you may find yourself unprepared for the day.
Academic Essentials
Yes, notebooks, laptops, and pencils - everybody knows you need those. But beyond the obvious, here's what will take you from college student to pro.
- Laptop and Charger: In this digital age, you have to have a laptop to get through college. Laptops are essential for students and are used for typing notes and writing research papers. Plus, they’re great for the occasional video game session between classes. When choosing one for the new school year, remember to keep it small enough to fit in your backpack, but powerful enough to last from freshman year to senior graduation. While packing your laptop in your backpack, don’t forget other important pieces of tech gear, like the charger. Your laptop will be useless if the battery dies before your afternoon and evening classes. If you’re able, consider picking up an extra laptop charger during your back to school shopping. That way you can leave one charger in your dorm or apartment and one in your backpack.
- Notebooks and Pens: Research shows you do retain the notes you take by hand better than the ones you type, so be a better student than I was. The obvious essential objects should be in your bag, which include your laptop, student ID, and books for your classes. Some professors might give extra credit if you have those books, so you have to carry them. Keep pencils, pens, sticky notes, and a notebook too.
- Folders or Binders: Professors will give out handouts. Whether homework assignments, class schedules, or syllabi, without a folder, papers tend to become a massive wad of trash at the bottom of your bag. To prevent this, invest in a small manila folder or a three-ring binder. The folder or binder helps to keep all your paperwork organized and in good condition. Organizing papers especially comes in clutch for classes with lots of paperwork.
- Portable SSD: With so many classes, papers, and lecture notes to keep organized, a portable SSD keeps everything secure and accessible in one place. The VAVA portable SSD, for example, is equipped with storage capacities of 500 GB and 1TB and fast transfer speeds, so you can store and access everything from class notes and midterm papers to movies and games.
- Webcam: You never know when you might have to hop on a Zoom call or virtual lecture. While a lot of laptops and tablets come with cameras already installed, it’s always a good idea to have a webcam on hand. Most, like the VAVA 2K Webcam, are easy to install and come equipped with noise-filtering dual mics, precision autofocus, and auto low-light correction.
- Chargers: Even if you think there is enough battery life left, carry the charger. One thing that is inevitable on those long days of class is the death of your favorite electronic device, whether it is your laptop, tablet, headphones, or phone. The low battery signal can inspire feelings of dread if you search through your bag for the charger, only to realize you forgot to pack the charger. Many classes require access to a computer, and headphones can make walks across campus more enjoyable since you can listen to your music. You need to have those devices, so keep all chargers in your backpack at all times. Speaking of chargers, don’t forget your phone charger. When you’re shopping for an extra laptop charger, pick up an extra phone charger as well so you always have one in your backpack. That way you won’t have to worry about your devices losing power on those long, grueling, sun-up to sun-down class days.
- USB charger: The first thing I recommend in a backpack is a USB charger and numerous compartments. You want the charger for obvious reasons, but the compartments serve a major purpose, too.
- Dapper Wrapper: Hauling around charging cables for your phone, smart watch, computer, tablet, headphones, or whatever else creates a big, tangled mess in your bag, regardless of how carefully you designate your compartments. For that reason, I have a Dapper Wrapper, which features small compartments for every cord and folds up into a small bundle that sits at the bottom of the bag. In addition to cords, you can put your AirPods, portable charger, and other tech items in the compartments to keep them safe.
- 12-in-1 docking station: To keep you connected and on the go, a 12-in-1 docking station is a must-have in your backpack this year. It’s a multifunctional and powerful accessory that allows you to connect your phone and laptop at the same time for a fast, long-lasting charge. The hub, like the VAVA 12-in-1 Dual 4K Docking Station, is also designed with 2 USB 3.0 ports so you can securely transfer files up to 5Gbps.
Health and Wellness
- Emergency Kit: An emergency kit is something that you can create yourself. Different people have different definitions of what constitutes an emergency. An emergency kit should include some medicines like Migraine Excedrine and Dramamine. Be creative. College life without parental guidance is unpredictable and scary at first.
- Medication: You never know when you’ll need a Band-Aid or Tylenol. If you have allergies or tend to get headaches easily, keep some medicine in your bag.
- Hand Sanitizer and Wipes: When you don’t have the chance to wash your hands, you’ll be glad you have hand sanitizer in your bag. Get some disinfecting hand wipes too if you want. Stay safe and clean. I love to carry around some sort of Clorox/Lysol wipes in my backpack. I use them all the time to clean off surfaces I’m using throughout the day, like desks, keyboards, and even door handles. Going along with the disinfectant wipes, I also believe that hand sanitizer is crucial to carry around.
- Lip Balm: Chapstick may be something you never thought is essential, but it is. Having lip balm on you can save your lips from getting chapped, especially during these cold winter months.
- Spare Mask: Since COVID, I always keep a spare mask in my bag. Some places highly recommend wearing them, doctors' offices for example, so whenever I see that sign I always put mine on for the safety of everyone around me.
- Water Bottle: Water bottle, this is a really easy one. With all the walking you are going to have to do from class to class, especially in the Texas summer heat, you are bound to get thirsty. Carrying a reusable water bottle is so much easier and more cost-efficient than having to buy a plastic one every time you get thirsty. Keep yourself hydrated! It’s always good to have water with you in class, walking around campus, after meals, and a workout. There are water stations throughout PUC for you to refill your reusable bottle. A reusable water bottle is also handy, especially with all the refill stations around campus. A smaller water bottle is more practical than a larger one, as it helps prevent adding too much weight. Even though it is smaller, you can continue to fill it up, so it should not make much difference. Everyone is going to have a water bottle. It's healthy, it's trendy, and sometimes, getting up to go out and refill it is the most exciting thing you'll do for hours.
- Floss and Breath Mints: You’ve just finished eating lunch and you’re rushing to class when you realize you’ve got a bit of food stuck in your teeth you just can’t get out. Don’t stress - grab the floss you stashed in your bag after reading this article and get it out before anybody even notices. And freshen your breath while you’re at it with a stick of gum or a couple of mints.
Weather Protection
- Umbrella: An umbrella is a top priority as the weather can’t make up its mind. One minute the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, all is well. The next minute it is raining so hard, five seconds outside and you’re drenched to the bone. My first three months in college I refused to purchase an umbrella because firstly I underestimated how much it would rain and secondly I had this theory that as soon as I bought one, it would just stop raining entirely and I would have wasted money on a useless umbrella. I endured countless experiences of having a soppy wet backpack before I finally caved. This might be one of the most essential things to carry in your backpack. Mississippi weather is not a joke. A beautiful, sunny day can easily transform into a monsoon without warning. That umbrella can be handy, especially during long walks to class. Walking around soaking wet on campus is not a fun experience.
- Waterproof Bag Cover: A waterproof bag cover also comes in handy during especially hard rain. Having wet, ruined school supplies is very upsetting - and expensive.
- Winter Essentials: If you live in the Midwest, you know how essential these items are in the winter months. Along with chapped lips and dry hands, the winter months also bring college students’ worst enemy: the cold.
Sustenance
- Snacks: Snacks!! With all the activities happening, you never really know when you will have time to go back to J2 after a class at Burdine just to grab food. If you do have time, you may not want to walk all the way to the dining hall to eat. Having a couple of snacks on you will make sure that you won’t go hungry. Also, if you pull out a bag of snacks when studying with some friends, you’ll go from mere acquaintance to true hero. You know how it goes: you’re almost done with your last class before lunchtime and the hunger starts to set in. And your stomach doesn’t hesitate to let you - and the rest of the class - know you’re ready to eat. Stash a granola bar, some nuts, fruit snacks, or whatever you like to snack on in your backpack so you can combat the rumbles coming from your abdomen. Eating at the Colvard Student Union or a dining hall every day is expensive. Those monthly funds will disappear in a heartbeat if you constantly treat yourself to Starbucks every time you get thirsty or a Chick-fil-A meal every time you get hungry. It is strongly recommended to keep snacks like granola bars with you at all times in your backpack. You might even pack a lunch. A humble sandwich and bag of chips works wonders on an empty stomach and an overworked brain. I’m a sucker for food and always end up getting hungry at the wrong times, like during class. I would recommend carrying around some sort of snack-like granola bars, candy, fruit, and even gum-to quench those random cravings you may have. Having a snack on hand can also save a friend in need when they get randomly hungry.
Miscellaneous Essentials
- Keys: As a student, you are always on the go. From going to classes, meetings, after-school activities- some days you have to bring everything with you because you won’t have time to go back home or to your dorm room. Before you run out the door, don’t forget your keys.
- Wallet: Just like keys, your wallet can easily be misplaced or forgotten.
- Cash: Having some cash on you can also save you in certain situations. While it is rare these days, sometimes you’ll randomly need cash (like using older vending machines or stumbling upon a bake sale), so it's always good to have.
- Headphones: I don’t know about you, but listening to the right type of music always helps me focus. Tech gear like noise canceling headphones will help keep the loud, distracting noises of campus life out so you can focus on whatever task you’re working on. Whether you’re in your dorm, the campus library, or studying out on the quad, noise canceling headphones are a must. You can’t go wrong with the AirPod Pros. Not only are they great with noise canceling, but they’re not bulky, they’re easy and comfortable to wear, and the audio quality is excellent. Headphones are one of the things most students never leave their room without.
- Agenda/Planner: Yes, everybody thinks that their brain is superior and can remember when every assignment is due, but trust me your brain will fail you. From midterm dates to the room of your next club meeting, all these tedious little details are difficult to keep track of, but having something to write these things down in will make sure you’ll never miss a beat.
Choosing the Right Backpack
Finding the right college backpack means striking a balance between everyday functionality and personal style. At The North Face, their college backpacks are designed with padded straps, breathable back panels, and sleek silhouettes that look great on campus while providing all-day comfort. Whether you're walking between classes or commuting from off-campus, these packs are made to keep up without slowing you down. From minimalist designs to bold colorways, these backpacks for college students are crafted with durable materials that stand up to heavy textbooks, laptops, and packed schedules.
- Compartments: The first thing I recommend in a backpack is a USB charger and numerous compartments. You want the charger for obvious reasons, but the compartments serve a major purpose, too. When you're organizing your things, you should store similar items together and make sure everything has a designated spot. Multiple compartments give you the chance to put all your papers and resource materials in one, your computer in another, smaller tech in another, and so on.
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