What’s Inside a College Backpack

Written by Lauren Smyth

Me, on the phone with my parents: “I forgot to bring one of my books to class today.”

Dad: “Let me guess. You forgot to bring the Bible to theology, didn’t you?”

Me (innocently): “How’d you know?”

Here’s a pro tip to avoid becoming the target of a running family joke: Pack your backpack the night before. This gives you a second chance in the morning to run through the list of required items and make sure you didn’t forget anything. And, speaking of lists, here are the things I keep in my backpack on a typical school day, including all the necessities plus a few things that make life a little easier.

Required textbooks. You can borrow pretty much everything else, but chances are your professor won’t let you get away with using someone else’s textbook if your attendance grade depends on bringing required readings to class. So, when you’re packing your backpack, bring the Bible to theology. Also, don’t forget to bring any books you may need to study later, even if you won’t be using them in class. This saves you a trip back and forth from the library.
Pencil case. Unsurprisingly, this is where you should keep your pencils. You should also have a stock of pens, erasers, paper clips, sticky tabs, and—if you’re like me and always getting snags in your clothes—a small pair of scissors. I generally keep a bookmark, a few highlighters, and a ruler in my pencil case. And, stashed alongside my calculator, you’ll also find a small silicone elephant. That’s my exam buddy, who gets poked and prodded for stress relief before every major test.
Notebook. There are a multitude of ways to take notes in college, but at Hillsdale, you probably won’t be able to do without a good old-fashioned notebook. I generally prefer a three-subject, college-ruled, spiral-bound notebook, since this gives me plenty of space to write and draw graphs. For some subjects, like economics, I prefer green engineering paper in a binder. The exact paper type you use is up to you, but don’t go to class without it.
Laptop. You could do without a laptop at college if you don’t mind using the library computers. But a streamlined study experience generally requires a personal computer. You can’t write papers by hand in college, and you might prefer to use Quizlet rather than a traditional flashcard deck, and you probably won’t want to be confined to the library for every study session.
Headphones. If you like listening to music while you study, don’t forget to bring your headphones or earbuds. It’s usually worth investing in a noise canceling pair, since you’ll need them to avoid distraction if you want to study in a busy area like the Grewcock Student Union.
32 oz. water bottle. I had another slightly embarrassing conversation recently with my physical therapist, who laughed at me (good-humoredly) when I explained that I was having difficulty with my running routine.

“I’m getting tired way too quickly,” I complained. “The lungs are willing, but the muscles are weak.”

“And how much water did you say you were drinking?” he asked. “Because I read about you in my textbook during my first year of school. You’re obviously dehydrated.”

When I brought my fluid consumption up, I felt so much better. Not only could I run further and faster, but I could also think more clearly and focus for longer periods of time. Good catch, Doctor Zach.

These days, I travel with my 32 oz. canteen attached to my hip. I chose one that was easy to use and could accommodate the stickers collected during my summer travels, so I would be motivated to carry the bottle even though it’s heavy and doesn’t quite fit into my loaded backpack. Drinking water doesn’t sound revolutionary, but it is. Stay hydrated when you’re studying so you can focus and spend less time studying overall.

Hand cleaner. Your immune system will be challenged at a new level by the seemingly infinite variety of bacteria and viruses that accumulate on college door handles. Before you sit down to eat your chicken nuggets without a fork, you’ll want to sanitize your hands. Although Hillsdale provides plenty of free sanitizer stations, it’s always a good idea to carry your own in case you end up picnicking.
Spare battery pack. If you take notes on a tablet (like me), or if you use your phone as a timer while you’re studying, you’ll probably run through your battery before the end of the day. Bring a backup charger so you can study wherever you feel most comfortable without worrying about finding a wall outlet.
Snacks. I’m not a big breakfast person. It’s just difficult for me to manage being hungry before I’ve had my morning coffee. But this means I’m ready to eat well before it’s time for lunch, so I like to snack between my 10 and 11 o’clock classes. Snacking can also provide a boost of energy during study sessions later in the day. Point being: Pack some tasty treats in your backpack. Opt for relatively healthy things (as far as snacks go) that either won’t melt or won’t make a mess if they do.
Spare hygiene products. You’ll probably have a class or two outside during the final warm days of fall, and you may even find yourself getting hot as you acclimate to Michigan weather. You’ll start to sweat, and you’ll wish you’d brought a spare stick of deodorant. And then you’ll be glad you read to the end of this article and remembered to pack one. Consider carrying basic things like tissues, lip balm, and lotion for dry hands. Also, if you want to be your friends’ hero, pack a few cough drops. You may not need them yourself, but your friends will, and they’ll be impressed that you have one on hand.
Student ID. Many students keep theirs in a Hillsdale phone wallet, which you’ll receive as an incoming student, but I had a folding phone back then that was shorter than my ID. So I keep mine in a clear case, which I attach to my backpack with a carabiner. I also keep a backup digital copy on my phone.

With these 11 items, you’ll be ready to spend a full day on your college campus without running back to your dorm to grab something you forgot.

Lauren Smyth, ’25, is an economics major and journalism minor. Outside of starting arguments in philosophy class, she enjoys curling up on a bench outdoors (sun, rain, or snow) to write novels or articles for her blog, www.laurensmythbooks.com.

Published in August 2024