What students are carrying in their bags

That granola bar is for emotional support (we get it).

From never-ending classes to spontaneous campus hangouts, students carry their entire lives in their bags. Whether it’s their laptops, notebooks or even a secret “just-in-case” candy bar, a student’s bag can tell you plenty of campus survival stories.

We took a walk around the campus to find out what students are really carrying in their bags.

Here’s what we found:

Practical and health first bag — Renika Baptiste

Photo of items from Pierika Baptiste's bag — *Photo by Lubna Patel*

Renika Baptiste, a fourth-year social service work student, keeps things pretty straightforward.

Her top three essentials are her laptop, notebook and charger.

“Those are the things I live by,” she said.

What people often notice isn’t the items she carries, but her constant bag switch-ups. Depending on her schedule, she rotates her bag choice for the day.

“My bag will change maybe to a duffle bag, a gym bag, a side bag or a purse,” Baptiste explained.

Pierika also carries a small personal essentials pouch stocked with everything she needs.

Her biggest piece of advice? Choose your bag wisely.

“Be careful with a side bag because it can actually be irregular with your shoulders. So a backpack is a lot better for convenience,” she said.

Bag contents:

Laptop.
Headphones.
Notebook.
Charger.
Water bottle.
“Just-in-case” kit with essentials.

Prepared for anything bag — Parmpreet Mangat

Photo of Parmpreet Mangat and the items from her bag — *Photo by Lubna Patel*

Parmpreet Mangat, a final-semester student also in the social service work program, is counting down the days to her graduation, and her bag reflects her readiness.

Her essentials? Lip gloss, laptop and, most importantly, gum.

“Gum is a necessity,” she emphasized.

One item people always notice is her large Lululemon lanyard with a wallet attached to it — practical and hard to miss. Her bag is carefully packed to handle anything an eight-hour day might throw at her, from notebooks and chargers to personal care items.

When asked if her program influences her daily bag packing style, she said it helps her stay organized.

“I think with social work, you think a lot about planning and to be prepared for any case scenario. It definitely taught me a lot about organization. So, I try to be organized. I always make sure I have the notebooks I need for my specific classes that day,” Mangat said.

“Whether it’s pads, tampons, medicine, a charger, hand sanitizer, lotion or Tylenol, I will keep everything in my bag. I make sure that I have anything I could need.”

One thing she advises everyone to carry? Moisturizer.

“You want to avoid dry skin, it’s irritating, so moisturize,” she recommended.

Bag contents:

Laptop.
Lanyard.
Pens and markers.
Bubblemint gum.
Sanitizer.
Perfume.
Chapstick.
Clawclips.
Notebooks and planners.
Book to read.
Tylenol.
Lip gloss.

Binder and papers bag — Chloe Ballo

Photo of items from Chloe Ballo's bag — *Photo by Lubna Patel*

Chloe Ballo, a second-year healthcare management student, is proof that going old-school still has its perks. While most students rely heavily on digital notes, their bag proudly makes space for binders filled with papers.

Their top essentials are practical: a laptop, a binder and an umbrella for the unpredictable weather.

People often notice Chloe with her binder. “Probably because I’m the only person who brought actual papers to school. So they would just ask me for a paper, and I would lend them,” they explained.

When it comes to packing advice, Chloe keeps it straightforward: focus on things you need.

“Start packing the things that are very necessary to you. You don’t have to bring a big bag. You just need the essential stuff. Like a laptop, notebook, etc,” Ballo recommended.

Beyond the class schedule, Chloe also squeezes in just enough time to indulge in reading by carrying their current read with them.

Bag contents:

Laptop and cover.
Earpods.
Umbrella.
Book to read.
Binder with papers.
Keychains.
Charger.

The plushie packed bag — Julia Da Silva

Photo of Julia Da Silva and the items from her bag — *Photo by Lubna Patel*

Julia Da Silva, a third-year student in the creative advertising program, believes a bag should be both functional and comforting. While her phone and headphones are non-negotiables, her most-loved essential is her lip gloss.

But what makes her bag stand out are the plushies clipped all around it and an additional adorable plushie gifted to her. Cute and sentimental vibes, Julia’s bag proves that emotional support items deserve a spot, too.

When asked how her program influences what she carries? The answer did not miss.

“I definitely need Tylenol and Advil to deal with the headaches. I have a whole little flower box (for the meds),” she said with a laugh.

Her ultimate bag-packing tip?

“Every night before the next day, check what’s in your bag and redo it. You’ll need different things every day.”

Bag contents:

Portable mouse (a must-have according to Julia).
Sunglasses.
Glasses.
Moisturizer.
Lip balm.
Lip gloss.
Meds.
Band-Aids.
Sanitary pads.
Plushie.
Hand sanitizer.
Tide pen (a must-have, according to me).
Charger.
Planner.
Energy drink.

So what’s in your bag?

a dog taking away a red bag with its mouth — *Via GIPHY*

What students carry says a lot about their routine. Some pack light while others carry only essentials. Either way, each bag tells you a story of the daily hustle and the side quests that follow.

So the next time you pack your bag, think about what kind of packer you are!

Feature image courtesy of Jakob Owens via Unsplash.

Left unheard? Check out how to get your points across when no one’s really listening!