How to Curate Your Perfect Class Bag

By Maggie Carey

Edited by Taylor Morgan

Verna / @vernaemilia on Pinterest

One of the most frustrating things as a college student is going around campus—from back-to-back classes to club meetings—and not having the right items in your bag. It puts a damper on your day to trudge back to your room and grab the missing item, then run to your next commitment. Whether you use the age-old backpack or have adjusted to using a purse for classes, curating the perfect bag is a skill that is critical to making it through your day without having to run home to grab forgotten items. I am here to help you navigate how to prepare your bag so you never have to deal with this issue again. 

To start, make sure you have the basics: a notebook, a pen or pencil, a laptop, AirPods, a water bottle and anything else you need to get through class. One of my biggest tips is to make sure that everything, and I mean everything, is plugged in the night before. I know that is such a cliche, but it seriously saves you the hassle in the morning. Another tip I have is to keep an extra charging cord or a portable charger in your bag at all times, even if you have to buy another one. You never know when you or a classmate might need one.

I would also highly recommend keeping a pack of gum in your bag. Throughout the day, you might be snacking on food that leaves your breath smelling not so fresh, and that’s not something that anyone wants to deal with, so keeping gum on you can help to avoid those problems. I also try to keep basic hygiene products in my bag, like an extra hair tie, claw clip, hand sanitizer, lip balm and even deodorant. When running around campus, you may not look as presentable as you did when you left your room, so keeping some basics in your bag to keep you smelling and looking fresh can really help in the long run. 

Lastly, always check your weather app before leaving your room! Keeping a change of clothes in your school bag is unrealistic, so preparing for the ever-changing weather conditions is essential. Wearing a t-shirt or tank top under a sweatshirt can help if it's cold in the morning but suddenly hot later in the day. 

Now that we have covered a few tips, you can tackle your long days with ease and rest assured that you will never be left running back to your room to grab missing items.