30 College Bag Essentials
With the current situation, classes are very unusual for students. If your college requires you to head to classes, then it is important to keep some essential items in your bag. Whether you’re just starting a new academic year or you are a freshman, you might need an idea on what to keep in your bag, and this article is for you.
A college is a place where you will gain a whole new experience and a lot of knowledge, but to make your college years a breeze, you definitely do not want to be the person who goes around borrowing stuff from others. Even if others are fine with it, you still need to be more responsible and prepare things that you need. Everyone is different, but this guide will show you the general things you would need to have in your backpack or purse in your college years.
STUDY
1. Textbooks: Not all classes in college would require a textbook to pass the class. But with classes where that needs one, then it is best to just go get a physical copy of it. The best way is of course to buy a brand new one, but if you are on a budget, then you can opt for a second-handed textbook, or even photocopy the entire textbook.
2. Notebooks and Empty Papers: Just like back in high school, you’ll need notebooks or empty foolscap papers to write down notes, exercises, and homework. Remember that you would need to stock up a lot on this because you would be writing a lot of stuff down, whether it be notes or exercises.
3. Pens and Pencils: With notebooks and empty papers, of course, you need something to write with. For the most part of college, you would need to write things down using pens, such as quizzes, exercises, and notes, but you’d also need pencils, especially if there is a lot of calculations or drawings in your classes. Pencils would also come in handy if you are a perfectionist in writing notes and hate using white-outs of crossing things out.
4. Planner: Having a planner might not be the most useful thing in your high school years, but it would definitely come in handy in college. There is so much you should take note of, and your professors most likely wouldn’t repeat the due dates of some projects to you every day. Aside from your classes, planners also help you in your clubs and curriculum, or even your job if you have one.
5. Calculator: Not all classes of yours in college requires a calculator, but there must be some part of the years where you would need to do some calculations, so it is better to not throw away the one you used during your high school years.
6. Binder and Files: Having a place to keep all your loose papers is crucial, be it your notes or worksheets or any other information papers. You do not want all your papers stuffed into your bag, and when you need them they are all torn and folded. Having a binder is great as you can put a few sections for different subjects. However, you can opt for a paper folder as well, as long as your papers remain smooth and intact.
TOILETRIES
1. Wet Wipes, Hand Sanitizer, Tissue: Studying is important, but you shouldn’t skip out on hygiene. Although there are probably a lot of washrooms on your campus, there are times you couldn’t get out of class, or you need something to clean up in urgent. Especially with the current situation, it is crucial to better to have some cleaning essentials ready in your bag.
2. Makeup Necessities: You do not need a whole lot of makeup when attending your college classes, in fact, you do not really need any makeup at all. But if you prefer to look presentable with slight makeup, that is perfectly fine too. If you do wear makeup, then be sure to bring your necessities along, especially if you have several classes in a day, as you would definitely need to touch up with it.
3. Lip Balm: If you are prone to having dry lips, then having a lip balm handy in your bag is definitely a smart choice. Of course, if you aren’t prone to it, just keeping your lips moisturized throughout the day is great as well. Having cracked lips is not the impression you want others to have on you.
4. Hair Ties and Pins: Hair ties and pins serve many purposes. You might be getting too hot under the weather (when you are not in the classrooms or lecture halls, of course), or you are a science student and have many lab classes, and hair ties are also useful when you need a rubber band but do not have any on hand.
5. Band-Aids: You never know what might happen while you are walking around your campus. Or it might not even be you, it could even be your friends or classmates who got injured. Once again, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
6. Pads/Tampons: Just like band-aids, you never know when you will get your “monthly visitor.” It is always safer to just bring some of these for unexpected events.
ELECTRONICS
1. Your Phone: This is definitely something you definitely wouldn’t forget because they would almost always be on your hand, or close to you. Aside from using your phone to pass time before your lecture starts, or during lunchtime, sometimes you can also use it for something more useful, such as reading slides from your phone or checking your email.
2. iPad/Laptop: If your lecturers allow you to use either an iPad or Laptop for your classes, then you can save some of your time writing down notes or printing lecture slides.
3. Device Chargers: If you are allowed to use your devices in classes, of course, it is wise for you to remember to bring the chargers because you definitely do not want your devices to run out of battery in the middle of a lecture.
4. Powerbank: Having a power bank is handy for when there is no socket for you to charge your phone when you need to. However, power banks are only usable for your phone, so if you ran out of battery on your laptop, then you really do need to find a socket.
5. Earphones: Earphones would be really handy for many purposes especially when you start college. If you take public transport then you can listen to music while you’re on the way to your campus. Or if you are planning to study in the library you can use them to listen to some music.
OTHERS
1. Mint/Candy: You definitely do not want to be the person with the huge breath, because that would definitely turn some heads away. Of course, you’d probably do not have time to brush your teeth after every meal, so a way to keep your breath smelling fresh is to have some mints or candy.
2. Wallet: Not having enough money for college, especially for lunch, is terrible. This is because college classes usually last very long, and it is usually very quiet in the class. The last thing you want others to hear is your growling stomach. So just be sure you have money to buy food to fill your stomach before attending the classes. Aside from money, having your identity card, school ID and even your license, if you drive, is crucial as well.
3. Umbrella: Most of the campuses are sheltered and you do not need to fear getting soaked in the rain. But just in case you need to walk to your car parked away from the campus, or you need to walk a distance to the bus stop to catch your bus, it is best to just keep an umbrella in your bag just in case.
4. Snacks: Perhaps you woke up late in the morning and didn’t have time for breakfast, then having snacks is extremely important, because you can at least eat something during the class and stop your stomach from growling temporarily.
5. Water: It is vital to stay hydrated not just in college, but in your everyday lives regardless of what you do. You might have a lot of discussion with your groupmates, or you need to walk around a lot because your campus is huge, so make sure you are consuming lots of water throughout the day.
6. House & Car Keys: When you start college, you would need to bring a lot of things for yourself. If you live away from your home, then you need to bring your own keys. If you live with your parents, they definitely couldn’t drive you to your campus, or you need to take the public transport, and you will be entering your house or dorm by yourself. So be sure you have your keys in hand.
7. Outerwear: College classes are usually extremely cold, so make sure you bring outerwear and wear it in your classes, or else your hands would be freezing and you couldn’t write, or you are too cold you’d probably pay attention to the lecture.
These are just some general essentials that you need to have in your bag when you are in college. Everyone is different, of course. Some people would need lesser things, some even more. But regardless of which kind you are, making sure you are having your essentials is important because what you need might be different from others.
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