My freshman year of college, I discovered the importance of a waterproof backpack. I walked through the rain, getting soaked so thoroughly that my jeans started having water run off of them. A pen that had been dead for a month suddenly started running and left a giant purple mark on my pink bag. Since then, I’ve only trusted using bags that were either lined or plastic-based to avoid another bag catastrophe.
I thought I was safe by just owning better bags, but I was wrong. I was so wrong.
The truth is that over the next three years I would discover that sometimes what is placed in the bag is just as important as the bag itself, getting you out of all sorts of odd day-to-day mishaps. Now a seasoned college catastrophe pro, I present the seven key items that I rely on to get me through most of the things life throws my way.
The next time you’re packing your bag, I dare you to throw a few of these in there and see if your life doesn’t get a little bit more bearable with these tiny daily inclusions.
1. Napkins
When’s the last time you spilled something or needed to clean your hands but didn’t have anything on you? If the answer is anytime within the last month, napkins are worth carrying around. You can also use it to remove sweat before using the later-mentioned deodorant so you’re dry and fresh-smelling or as a substitute for blotting sheets.
TIP: Grab a few extra for your bag on the way out of the dining hall so you’re both prepared and frugal.
2. Sunglasses
Maybe this is just because I have abnormally sensitive eyes, but sunglasses make the difference between enjoying a sunny, beautiful day and squinting my way through a sunny, beautiful day. We already put our eyes through so much by looking at screens all day, the least we can do is protect them a little bit from the hole in the ozone between us and the literal ball of fire in the sky that we call the Sun.
TIP: Get a sunglasses case and thank yourself for not having to wear them on your head the entire day or risk them being scratched in your bag.
3. An umbrella
The sheer number of ponchos or university-store umbrellas that I see during a passing period on a rainy day is staggering. Not only are these lower-quality and more likely to flip inside out, but they usually cost more and have a giant longhorn slapped on them. Invest in one you actually like that you won’t have to replace constantly.
TIP: If you really don’t like rain, Home Depot was selling those ridiculously large golf umbrellas for $5 last time I was in there.
4. Deodorant
This seems basic, but it’s worth repeating. Winter gives us all this sense of security that we can safely leave the roll-on at home, until summer strikes suddenly (as it always does in Texas) and we’re left feeling soggy and gross. I don’t know about you personally, but for me smelling good is a minor confidence boost while being sweaty makes me feel disgusting.
TIP: Not gel deodorant. Take it from someone who once had to clean dried deodorant gel off of pencils for a month.
5. Some kind of protein bar
Packing a protein bar gives you food security. Food security means you don’t go hungry in class. People with food security just don’t forget an entire lecture because they were too busy focusing on their growling stomach. They just don’t.
TIP: Actually eat it. Don’t keep it in their so long that it’s become akin to an edible clay sculpture or the package rips open and leaves you with granola pieces stuck everywhere.
6. A USB power bank
Shoutout to my friend Joy for being a lifesaver all of those times I stayed late on campus and didn’t have a phone charger. Seriously though, USB power banks used to be these ugly blocky things that took up all your space, but now come in cute little key chains and even come built into wallets for maximum convenience. You can carry around something the size of a tube of lipstick if it means being able to call someone when you walk home alone at night.
TIP: If you go to tech-based career fairs, they often have these as swag that you can get for free.
7. Lip balm
What can’t a lip balm do? It can (obviously) keep chapped lips at bay, but can also be used as a hand salve in a pinch and a little bit can even help unstick a zipper.
TIP: Stay far away from any balm that has an easily-removable lid. It will come undone and it will get all over your stuff.
