Must-Have Items for Your College Backpack

Depending on your class schedule, you may find yourself spending hours away from your dorm room or apartment.

With only a backpack (and maybe a purse) to carry all of your must-haves around, it’s important to utilize your limited space wisely.

Lucky for you, I have been in your shoes and know those items that you should have on-hand at all times, as well as those that you can leave behind if there just isn’t enough space.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I will receive compensation if you purchase a product through one of the links (at no cost to you). Please note that I only include products I personally support and recommend.*

By the way, I also have an entire post on my Must-Have School Supplies for College Students. Be sure to check it out!

College Class Must-Haves

Items that you need for class should ALWAYS take priority. There is nothing worse than showing up for class completely unprepared. It always amazed me when I had classmates asking me for pens or notebook paper!

As a college student, it is your responsibility to have something on-hand that allows you take notes. The MacBook Air (my personal favorite and the laptop I currently use) is a popular choice for students since it’s lightweight. Students who have to walk around campus for long periods of time will appreciate having less weight on their shoulders!

I also recommend having at least a notebook or a few sheets of paper in your college backpack in case your technology decides to screw up (it happens to the best of us). Accompany that with a few pens and mechanical pencils to make sure you’re ready for exams, important notes, and anything else your professors throw at you.

Another college backpack must-have is a planner (like the ones pictured below) or calendar to help you keep track of important dates. I’m talking all of those tests, projects, and presentations that are going to be due throughout the semester. Don’t miss one deadline! In college, you may not have the opportunity to make that missing assignment up.

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Healthy Snacks

I know that junk food is SO tempting throughout the day, and it’s totally ok to have a little of that every now and then, but healthier foods are going to make you feel fuller and better when you’re sitting through those boring class lectures.

Here are some healthy snacks that will satisfy your hunger and cravings:

• Almonds (or other nuts)
• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Avocado toast

I know that most granola bars aren’t the healthiest because they contain lots of added sugar, but I have to say that KIND Bars with Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt were a LIFESAVER for me! I get the worst chocolate cravings and these really helped me to feel satisfied. Definitely a better alternative than downing a Hershey’s bar in three bites (don’t judge).

Minimergency Kit

Y’all, this is the biggest lifesaver ever. I was given a minimergency kit as a gift one year and it quickly became a must-have item. Not only is it small and compact, but it contains SO MUCH STUFF.

Here are just a few of the things you’ll get in one:

• Hair elastics
• Hairspray
• Clear nail polish
• Dental floss
• Nail polish remover
• Advil
• Lip balm

The bag is small enough to fit your fingers around, so it won’t take up much space in your college backpack. Check out the picture below to see what other great items are included in a minimergency kit!

Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is super important in college. Not only does it keep your body healthy, but it also keeps your mind in check. The last thing you want to do is get a headache in class because you’re feeling dehydrated!

Carrying around a water bottle is so much cheaper than buying bottled water every day. I’m a huge fan of Tervis Water Bottles because you can get them in all types of designs and they were created to keep your hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold.

I still use Tervis to this day because of their quality products. There are tons of styles and sizes, so you shouldn’t have any issue finding one that fits into your college backpack!

Other Items to Consider Carrying

Before you pack your extra items, think about any activities you are going to have later that day. For example, if you plan on going to the gym, pack a pair of workout clothes that you can change into once you get to the rec center.

If you are experiencing pesky seasonal allergies, grab a small thing of tissues as well as some hand sanitizer.

For those of you who use your cell phone frequently and find that your phone is dying before you get home, carry your phone charger in your backpack so that you can juice it up throughout the day.

There are so many different items that you can fill your empty space with (if you choose to do so). Here are some of the most common items I saw being carried by college students:

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Sunglasses

Sticky Notes

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Slouchy Beanie

Compact Mirror

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Don’t forget to use Ebates when you shop so that you can get cash back on your purchases!!!

Now that you have your college backpack in order, it’s time to get your dorm room or apartment feeling more like a home! Head on over to Make Your College Dorm Room a Retreat with These Ideas to find out how.