{Special thanks to the lovely @thils-studyblr for allowing me to modify her original image!}
Yes, you can probably survive with only a pen and a paper in your backpack for school. If that is what you choose, go ahead! But I do prefer to bring with me to class some other things that I will probably use or that could be really helpful in a variety of situations. This is the list of things I am planning to take with me every day to University:
- Essentials: Things I carry every day -
My laptop (Macbook Air): I type *really* fast, so I choose to take my laptop with me for taking notes in classes I know the teacher doesn’t speak that fast or if it’s just easier for me to directly type in my notes (I prefer studying from printed notes from my laptop, since my handwriting is not that perfect).
A notebook: I will give a chance to @eintsein ‘s notebook method (you can find here) so I will only take one with me every day. I will use this for classes I can’t keep up with the teacher while I type in my laptop, or if it’s easier to handwrite the notes.
A folder: Also an idea taken from eintsein, I will take one plastic folder with me so I can take with me papers I am given during the week, and also keep some sticky notes.
A pencil case: I don’t know how people live with only one pen. I’ll bring with me a blue & a black pen (I take my notes in blue, helps to memorize things) and a few highlighters and color pens.
ID, a bit of money, house keys & transport cards: I take a bus and the subway to go to the campus, so the transport cards are essentials.
My health bag: I don’t usually need it, but I prefer to always bring with me some medical things for my health problems.
- Important, but not *needed* -
My laptop charger & phone power bank: If I am having a long day and I haven’t had the chance to fully charge my laptop at home, I will bring the charger with me just in case. I will also usually carry my power bank since I prefer not to charge my phone during the night.
Feminine products: Few pads & tampons, not just for me but if someone else needs them. I also keep hand sanitizer in this pouch.
Lip balm & hand cream: I don’t usually have dry lips, but I know if I don’t bring this with me, my lips will peel. I also have dry skin so I bring some hand cream that I will use not just for my hands but if I have an itchy spot I will apply some of that.
Wateeer: I live in a really hot city so I try to bring a water bottle with me. I have a few reusable ones so I will bring one according to the amount of weight I am already carrying.
- Extra: Things I carry if I only have my laptop bag -
My laptop bag has also space for other things, but since it doesn’t fit much I only use it if I have a short day of classes or if I don’t have much to bring for some reason (like if I am studying at the library).
My laptop: I type in most of my notes, so if I don’t want to bring them physically after printing, I can just check them on my laptop or if I need to do some research I prefer the bigger screen over my phone. I also bring my glasses if I am planning to use my laptop a lot.
A smaller notebook (or one of my subject notebooks if I am going to study in the library).
A pen, a highlighter & a pencil.
ID, a bit of money, house keys & transport cards
I am probably forgetting something but I will add it if I remember! If you’ve found this post helpful please let me know and if you have any other recommendations of things I should write about message me!