By the time you’ve walked across campus, sat through three lectures and squeezed in a study session in the quad or the library, you realize that what you carry in your bag can make or break your day.
University is unpredictable. One second you’re rushing to your early morning lecture because you slept in, and the next you’re spending three hours at the library studying for a midterm or trying to finish an assignment you definitely should have started earlier.
Between classes, study sessions, coffee runs, and everything in between, my campus bag has basically become my survival kit. While I would love to be the type of girl who can effortlessly carry around a tote-bag everyday, I’ve got too much on me to rock that clean-girl lifestyle and I feel as though my bag represents that, as it is filled with a little bit of everything. Here are the essentials that get me through a typical day on campus.
1. My laptop: the real MVP
I’m sure we can all relate, that without our laptops we would truly be lost. I mean hey, you might even be reading this on your laptop. But in all seriousness, my pink MacBook Neo is truly an essential. From taking notes during lectures, to submitting assignments at 11:59 p.m., it is easily the most important thing in my bag and the one thing that never leaves it. It also doubles as entertainment during breaks, because sometimes watching shows or scrolling on Pinterest is just as necessary as studying.
2. Headphones: for romanticizing my walks to class and around campus
There is something about walking around campus with a nice fall breeze pushing your hair, Ugg boots and a coffee, crunching on fall leaves, and the added bonus is the headphones blasting my favourite songs in my ears. Blocking out the noise around me in the library, listening to a podcast, all things that help the walk around campus be a little more enjoyable. I rock my AirPods or sometimes if I really wanna give cool girl, I pull out my wired headphones from 2014 (yes, I still have them).
3. My water bottle: daily reminder to stay hydrated
Am I drinking enough water throughout the day? Probably not. But carrying around my water bottle always makes me feel like I’m at least trying. What more can a girl do? It’s easy to forget about drinking water when you’re constantly running around campus. Having water with me is one small way to take care of myself during a packed day.
4. Snacks: because campus food adds up
As much as I would love to rock a chai tea latte or a pastry from Bridgehead everyday, campus food adds up fast. Keeping a little snack in my bag to keep me going had not only saved me time, but money. Whether it’s a granola bar, fruit or something sweet, a little snack goes a long way and is a lifesaver! Especially when I have back to back classes.
5. Random necessities:
I bet I’m not the only one who can relate to this but missing the little essentials is a big no. Having an emergency pouch in my bag is key. Mine includes extra hair ties, lip balm, hand sanitizer and other random little necessities that always go a long way. They seem like small things, but I promise there is nothing worse then digging for a nonexistent hair tie in your bag with chapped lips. Not a good combo!
6. A notebook and pens: because you never know!
Even though most of my schoolwork is digital, it’s always nice to have a notebook to write things down on paper. Making a to-do list, brainstorming ideas for an assignment, jotting down reminders or even just journaling, I love having a notebook nearby. And of course at least three pens, because one always disappears and one always runs out of ink even though you just bought it…
7. A charger: because 10% battery is a crisis
University has taught me that my devices will get a workout all day long. When reaching my third lecture of the day with my computer almost dead, having at least one charger saves me every time, especially when I end up being on campus longer than intended.
8. A planner: being organized is cool
I would like to think that I am very type A . I wouldn’t be able to do that without my planner on me at all times. Writing down due dates, events or scheduling meetings: whatever it may be, my planner helps me stay on track. I will never stop recommending a planner, especially a cute one that lets you add stickers.
9. A little something personal
Being away from home can be hard, so I always like to keep a little something personal in my bag to keep me a little less homesick. Whether it’s a keychain or a little note tucked in my wallet, having something familiar with me is a small, but comforting reminder that there is more to life than deadlines and exams.
At the end of the day, my campus bag is a mix of academic essentials, everyday essentials and a few things that I definitely don’t need but refuse to leave behind. It might not always be perfectly organized, but it has everything I need to survive long lectures, spontaneous study sessions and the occasional campus adventure.
If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that being prepared, or overprepared as some may say, can make even the busiest university days a little easier. And if all else fails at least I’ve got snacks, headphones and a charger to get me through!