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23 Backpack Essentials That Will Elevate Your College Experience
The college journey is an exciting time for students. It’s a place where you’ll forge new friendships and make lots of awesome memories, but having the right tools and accessories at your disposal — particularly the ones in your backpack — can take your college experience to the next level.
It’s important your bag is filled with the right backpack essentials so you’re prepared for any type of situation college life might throw at you. Feeling confident that you have everything you need to conquer the day can help relieve anxiety and keep you focused on achieving your goals.
You might think you only need a few basics in your backpack to get by, but you’ll be putting yourself at a huge disadvantage without adding in the essentials from this list. Unlike high school, being in college means you’re basically on your own and responsible for taking care of your well-being.
This might seem pretty daunting, but having a well-stocked backpack can make life in college much easier because you’ll have all the key items you need to succeed right at your fingertips.
From everyday carry items you can’t leave home without to tech gadgets and school supplies that will boost your productivity, make sure your backpack is fully equipped with these essential items so you can survive and thrive on campus.
College Backpack Essentials
1. Backpack
Having all the essentials below won’t matter if you don’t have a quality backpack to carry them in. Your backpack also needs to be durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear and have ample storage so all your items are neatly organized.
Some backpacks will be more practical for your specific lifestyle than others. For instance, the Bellroy Transit Workpack is perfect for anyone who travels frequently or commutes to work everyday and easily functions as a daily college backpack, as well.
A solid all-around backpack for college would be the Swissgear 1900 ScanSmart Backpack. Not only does the 1900 have a plethora of pockets and dedicated compartments for all your items, but it’s also extremely comfortable to wear all day and durable enough to last long after you graduate.
2. Water Bottle
Whether you’re chilling on campus, walking around town, or going hiking, it’s always a good idea to carry a water bottle in your backpack. This way, you’ll always stay hydrated no matter where you go.
Many reusable water bottles will keep liquids cold all day long, so you don’t have worry about drinking warm water. My personal favorite is the Hidrate Spark Pro Smart Water Bottle, but if you want to find the best ones for college, the blog post below has you covered.
3. Laptop
A laptop is definitely one of the most important backpack essentials, especially for college. Good luck working on assignments, writing papers, or watching lectures without a laptop. Owning one also allows you to study for exams and get work done between classes. Or if you want to kill time, you can watch some Netflix in the dining hall or student lounge.
You might not always need your laptop when you’re sitting in class, but you’ll certainly need it to be productive outside the classroom and to make your college experience more enjoyable. Also, be sure to put the laptop charger in your backpack so you can keep it charged and ready to use at any time throughout the day.
4. Personal Items
The trifecta that pretty much everyone has in their daily EDC rotation — your phone, keys, and wallet are practically mandatory to have on your person wherever you go. If you don’t want these three items shaking around in your pockets all day, it’s a good idea to store them in your backpack.
5. Portable Charger
A portable charger can be a big lifesaver when you need to charge your phone or laptop but aren’t near any outlets. Whether you’re sitting in class, walking around campus, or studying at the library, a portable charger will always come in handy when your electronics are low on battery life.
Invest in a quality portable charger so you don’t have to stress about your devices dying when you need them the most. My recommendation would be the the Anker 313 Power Bank.
6. USB Flash Drive
One of the most underrated backpack essentials for college is undoubtedly a USB flash drive. Why? Because it’s great for storing and transferring any type of files, projects, and presentations.
Most students use cloud applications nowadays, like Google Drive or iCloud, but you can’t always rely on them. With a USB drive, you can access your important files at any time without having to worry about unreliable internet connections or forgetting your login information.
If for any reason you can’t access the files and documents in your cloud storage, you need to have a backup plan in place — that’s where a flash drive comes in. You likely won’t need it very often, but having a flash drive can be very useful to have as a fail-safe.
7. Headphones
Every student in college needs a pair of headphones or earbuds to help eliminate distractions when they’re trying to study. Noise cancelling headphones work the best for drowning out background noise to create a totally immersive experience.
There’s also more budget-friendly options that work exceptionally well. Check out my blog post below to discover some of the best headphones and earbuds for college students.
8. Planner
Using a planner is very important for keeping your life organized and managing time effectively. A planner is like your personal assistant, helping you stay on top of all your assignments, exams, social events, and other extracurriculars. No more last-minute cramming or missed deadlines.
With a planner as one of your backpack essentials, you’ll be able to improve your prioritization and stay aware of all your daily tasks. If you’re in need of a planner, I always recommend the ones over at Rocketbook. They’re 100% reusable and have the ability to upload all your notes to various cloud applications. Or you can stick with more traditional academic planners.
9. School Supplies
From pens and pencils to binders and notebooks, there’s a number of different school supplies you’ll need for college. These crucial items are the tools every student must have if they hope to excel in their academics. Here’s the main ones you should consider adding to your backpack essentials:
- Notebooks – notebooks are some of the most important college supplies to own. You’ll use them on a regular basis to organize your thoughts, jot down key information from class, and for taking notes to study when preparing for exams.
- Binders – Having one or multiple binders will make it easier to keep your notes, assignments, and study materials organized in your backpack. Having reduced clutter in your bag will save you valuable time when looking for the things you need.
- Sticky notes – These versatile little pieces of paper are excellent for writing down reminders, quick lecture notes you can put in your textbooks, or just motivational and happy quotes to put around your dorm.
- Pens – pens will probably be your main writing instruments for taking notes in class, so be sure to invest in a durable, high-quality pack. I recommend the Sharpie S Gel Pens.
- Pencils – In an academic environment like college, you never know when you might need use a pencil, so it’s best to store a pack of them in your backpack just to be prepared, especially if you prefer them over pens.
- Paper clips – A lot like binders, paper clips work well for organizing all your different papers. These tiny tools are a lifesaver when it comes to keeping your documents, notes, and research materials neatly sorted and easily accessible.
- Highlighters – By color-coding information and emphasizing key points, highlighters can help you better identify and retain vital material from textbooks and other lecture information.
10. Pencil Pouch
A pencil pouch is perfect for storing all your pens, pencils, and other school supplies in one convenient spot within your backpack, rather than having them scattered all over the place. Keeping a pencil pouch in your backpack also ensures all your supplies stay organized so you don’t waste time rummaging around for them.
11. Scientific Calculator
A scientific calculator can be one of the most valuable backpack essentials for students who need one for specific courses. It plays a key role in simplifying complex mathematical problems, helping students to tackle various assignments more efficiently. Not only is it beneficial for math and science-related courses, but a calculator is also useful for personal finance and other everyday tasks.
12. Healthy Snacks
Amidst the hustle and bustle of life in college, it’s crucial to fuel your body with nutritious foods to stay energized and focused. They not only provide a quick energy boost but also help in maintaining overall health and well-being.
By incorporating a variety of healthy snacks into your daily routine, you can avoid the pitfalls of unhealthy dining hall temptations and junk food.
Keep your backpack essentials stocked with items like nuts, fruits, granola bars, and yogurt to maintain a more nutritious diet. Remember, a well-nourished mind is more likely to perform better in college, so make healthy snacking a priority.
13. Portable Food Containers
A pack of food storage containers will be useful for storing all the snacks you plan on carrying in your backpack. They’re perfect to use for the healthy food items I mentioned earlier, ensuring you always have access to nutritious food options throughout the day, along with promoting better eating habits. Here’s a durable and budget-friendly option that will fit nicely in your backpack.
14. Multitool
A multitool is an excellent EDC item that every college student should have. It’s a compact, versatile gadget that combines various functions in a single device. A multitool can be used to open packages, cut through materials, assemble items, and serve many other practical applications.
Save yourself some time and effort throughout your college years by making a multitool one of your backpack essentials. You might be surprised how often it comes in handy.
15. Tile
This small, yet super helpful device can save you time and stress by keeping track of your valuable items. With the press of a button on your smartphone, Tile will emit a loud ring, guiding you to the lost item.
Instead of searching around your dorm room or retracing your steps across campus to find your misplaced belongings, you can use the GPS services in the Tile app to locate them. With Tile as one of your backpack essentials, you can have peace of mind knowing you’ll always be able to find your valuables if they’re ever misplaced.
16. Mini First Aid Kit
Unexpected situations are bound to arise in college, which is why you should consider adding a mini first aid kit to your backpack essentials. Having some sort of emergency kit when you’re on the go can help you stay prepared for those expected situations. It also shows you’re being responsible by taking the necessary precautions to maintain your well-being.
17. Hootie
Hootie is another small, yet powerful device that can serve as an effective tool for ensuring your safety and well-being on campus. The personal keychain alarm can be easily attached to your keys or bag.
In times of emergencies, you can pull the pin out of the Hootie to emit a loud siren and flashing strobe light to alert people nearby and potentially deter any attackers. It’s perfect to have when you’re walking back to your dorm at night or exploring the campus with friends.
18. Tissues
Whether you’re dealing with allergies or the common cold, tissues can certainly come in handy while you’re in college. It’s also nice to have some on hand if you need to clean up a spill or pick up something gross.
Be sure you stay stocked up on tissues because you never know when you might need them. A travel pack that doesn’t take up much room in your bag will work best.
Outdoor/Weather Backpack Essentials
1. Umbrella
It goes without saying how useful an umbrella is on those crappy weather days on campus. Be sure to invest in one so you don’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain while walking to class. Preferably, you’ll want an umbrella that’s compact enough to fit nicely in your backpack without taking up too much space.
2. Sunscreen
Whether you’re participating in outdoor campus events, playing games with your friends, or just studying outside, sunscreen can always come in handy. if you plan on spending long periods of time outside, you’ll definitely want to keep some sunscreen in your bag so can enjoy your days outside without worrying about getting sunburnt.
3. Hoodie
when those cold winter months roll around, you’ll need to keep yourself warm — wearing a hoodie is a great way to do so. I recommend keeping one in your backpack from time to time just so you’re prepared when the weather is bad, or you have to walk to class on a chilly morning.
4. Sunglasses
sunglasses are pretty self-explanatory, but it’s important to have ones that are good quality so you don’t have to replace them a couple times a year. If you’re in need of a durable, stylish pair of sunglasses when you’re out and about, checkout Blenders Eyewear.
5. Hat and Gloves
A hat can serve many purposes, from covering up a bad hair day to keeping your head warm when it’s cold out. And gloves are crucial for ensuring your hands stay warm throughout the harsh winter months. That’s why both of these functional items are must-have backpack essentials.
