Backpack essentials

This is the first time I'm writing something like this... I had thought about making a video instead... buuuuuut my camera is currently packed away, just waiting for anyone in the family to bring it to Canon for cleaning. Anyhow, backpack essentials.

I started carrying around my backpack from class to class in high school, probably midway through grade 9. Between classes, I took out whatever books and binders I didn't need, and threw whatever books and binders I needed for the next class (or the next two classes, if the one after was too far away for me to visit my locker); and carried along whatever else I had lying around in my backpack. Over the years, the amount of stuff that stays in my backpack has increased - but it's not like I'm carrying around six tonnes of necessities. No, I'd hire a butler for that.

1) An extra snack. By the way, this list isn't in order of importance, but you know, food is kind of important. I usually throw a granola bar, or one of those individually wrapped Ms. Field's cookies in my backpack in addition to the other snacks I pack with my lunch. The emergency snack often comes in handy on days where I'm running late and can't grab breakfast before lunch, days where I end up staying out later than normal, or whenever the munchies kick in.

2) A mirror. Actually, this has sorta been weeded out ever since the discovery that my cell phone's screen could act like a mirror; but it wasn't great. Prior to that, I did carry around either a tiny mirror that someone bought me from the dollar store (it broke a week ago, boo - the mirror itself didn't crack, so no seven years of bad luck!), or a tiny eyeshadow compact that had a mirror in it. Having a mirror may seem a little vain, but everyone has their insecurities, and it doesn't hurt to check if you look okay. Just don't do it too often.

3) Bobby pins! I always have at least one bobby pin with me, clamped on my bus pass holder. If bobby pins aren't your thing, then tiny hair clips are a good substitute. I usually walk around with a clip clipped onto the lapel of my cardigans, or on my lanyard with my keys (but beware! They fall easily like that, so I have unfortunately learned). P.S. Paper clips also work as hair clips. I've done it before, but the trend hasn't seem to have caught on, so...

4) An extra pen, pencil, writing utensil. I mean, having one in one of the pockets of your backpack, outside of the ones you keep in your pencil case; so on days when you might forget your pencil case at home, you'll at least have something to take notes with!

5) Tissues. A lot of my lecture halls are extreeeeeeeeemely cold, even in the winter, which is cool (haha) with me, because that'll force my body to undergo more metabolism to produce heat, and hence use up my fat stores. But my nose often ends up a little runny. If you're like me, you don't want to be that person without a tissue who sniffs loudly every few minutes during the lecture to keep your snot from running down your face. Oh! And you could also offer a tissue to any snifflers around you.

6) A pad. Or tampon. Whatever you use. Even if it's not your time of month, keep one in your backpack. You'll thank yourself later when your time of month DOES show up while you're on campus away from any sources of sanitary napkins. It's also nice to have in case another girl is in need. Help a sister out!

7) Chapstick, or lip balm. I have to have my lip balm with me all the time (currently using the green EOS one), because my lips get dry pretty often; and out of habit, I would always lick them, which I have learned is NOT good for the state of hydration of your lips (plus, it hasn't proven to be a turn-on for guys, hmmm)! So. Yeah. Lip balm.

8) Extra change. I usually keep a toonie (that's two dollars for you Americans) and a few quarters in one of the small pockets in my backpack. This is usually for buying snacks from vending machines, on days when I don't have any food on me at all (or after I've eaten all of it - I eat a lot...); but it's also nice for times when I'm paying for something from whatever's in my wallet (which isn't a lot), and then I realize I'm short a few cents. Quarters are especially handy for payphones, in case your phone runs out of battery.

9) Tylenol, or Advil. Nice for days after all-nighters.

So those are my essentials! I also have a few other items that may be more specific for me - oil blotting paper (because my skin is stupidly oily), some Halls (not like I cough all the time, but just in case), and a USB key, for example. Other people might have more items, or fewer items. It just depends on how you are and what you find important. I've listed the things I think are the basic of the basic essentials, so go ahead and add onto the list.

Hopefully this was helpful to someone. Stay in school, don't do drugs,