The transition from high school to college is a difficult one, especially when it comes time to pack your bag for class. Rather than cramming everything you need in a locker for quick grabs, you’re limited to just a bookbag. *Gasp* In order to save your back from overloading (because your brain will handle most of that), I’ve put together a list of ten necessities to always have in your bookbag.

1. Laptop

Perfectly useful for homework, online quizzes, Facebook browsing, and online shopping.

2. Student ID/Keys

Your student ID most likely serves as your access to buildings. But, more importantly, it serves as your source of food AND coffee. Also, depending on how old your dorm is, you may or may not have a physical key. Either way, you don’t want to get locked out of your room and have to take the walk of shame down for a replacement.

3. Water Bottle & Snacks

College students do a lot of walking, and it’s much easier (and cheaper) to have a reusable water bottle to refill. Snacks are a good power boost in between classes or meals.

4. Planner

Homework, projects, meetings, coffee/study dates, work. A planner is a great tool to keep all of your dates and deadlines organized.

5. Notebooks/Folders/Binders

For those awful classes where electronics aren’t permitted or classes that hand-taken notes are more practical. Plus, they’re a good way to keep returned assignments organized.

6. Pens, Pencils, & Highlighters

I know this is sort of a given, but you never know what you’ll forget after pulling an all-nighter.

7. Chapstick, Tissues, Cough Drops, Gum/Mints

Colds and the flu spread like wildfire on campus, so it’s best to be prepared. And for those days where you have 5 minutes to get dressed and sprint across campus to class, your breath and classmates will thank you.

8. Rain Jacket/Umbrella

Trust me, you do not want to get caught in a torrential downpour without one of these. I always keep my umbrella in one of the side pockets of my bookbag for quick and easy access.

9. Headphones & Phone Charger/Power Bank

Headphones make the walk to class a little bit better-- pre-midterm pump-up session, why not!

10. Calculator

One word: Mathematics. Need I say more?