This post on college backpack essentials contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product with a link on this page, I get a small kickback at no extra cost to you.

It’s back to school season again!

If you’re getting ready to head to college, whether it’s your first or last semester, one of the most important things you can do to prepare is get your school bag ready.

This means picking out your bag and stocking it with everything you’ll need for class!

Today, I'm sharing 11 absolute must-haves to keep in your bag - from hand sanitizer, reusable water bottles, granola bars, school supplies, and more so you're covered 100% of the time.

This is a great jumping off point if you have no idea what you should or shouldn’t pack!

Some of these items are going to be pretty obvious, but there are a couple that I think are easy to forget and can be pretty inconvenient when you don’t have them on hand.

I hope this list helps you either way, and here are 11 college backpack essentials all students need in their school bag (what to bring to class):

College Backpack Essentials

#1: Planner

The first thing you don’t want to forget to pack in your school bag is your planner or whatever tool you use to stay on track.

Whether it’s a planner, calendar, notebook, to-do list, or something else, making sure you have it on hand to write down new assignments, meeting times, and other important reminders is incredibly convenient and will only help you throughout the semester.

I personally use this planner because it’s super pretty, portable, and I like the layout of the inside pages.

Plus, it’s undated so it allows for more flexibility when writing down dates and times.

#2: Pens/pencils

Next is an obvious one, but still worth mentioning if you’re getting your school bag together.

You don’t need a giant pack of writing utensils, but having a couple of pens and pencils on hand is a must.

There’s nothing worse than needing a writing utensil and realizing you don’t have one in the middle of class.

I want to thank Jooble for partnering with me on this blog post!

Jooble is a job search site to help you land that elusive first job after graduation - whether it’s an in-person job or a remote one.

As a blogger who works remotely, I love how many remote jobs for recent college graduates there are on the site.

Definitely check them out and best of luck with the application process!!

#3: Laptop

Also an obvious one, but if you’re using this list as a packing guide, I definitely wanted to put this on here.

I’ve forgotten my laptop at home a few times and it’s the worst!

You’d think I’d never forget it because it’s arguably the most important thing on this list, but somehow I still do.

#4: Laptop Charger

Almost as bad as forgetting your laptop? Remembering to bring it and then realizing it’s dead or low battery. So frustrating!

If you’re able to, I suggest getting two chargers for your laptop: one to keep at home and one to keep in your bag so you’re never without it when you’re out during your school day.

I find that using only one charger and bringing it back and forth between home and class makes it easier to lose or forget it at home or on campus.

#5: Reusable Water Bottle

Next in my list of college backpack essentials is a really important one.

We all know how important it is to stay hydrated, and a great way to do that is to make sure you leave your dorm with a full bottle of water ready to go at all times.

Unless you drive or take a public transportation to class, it’s safe to assume you’ll be doing a lot of walking, biking, skateboarding etc.

Keep a reusable water bottle on you all year round, but especially if you’re commuting in the heat.

What I like to do is keep a filled water bottle in my fridge so it’s nice and cold, and put it in my bag right before I leave.

This does run the chance of forgetting it before I leave though, so sometimes I keep a spare bottle in my bag just in case.

I personally use one of these water bottles because stainless steel is more durable and stays cleaner. Plus there’s a ton of cool color and size options!

The other thing with water bottles is to get one that fits your school bag.

I keep mind in a side netted pocket so it stays upright, but some water bottles are too wide to fit there.

If you’re in a similar boat, get a tall and skinny water bottle that’ll fit.

#6: Umbrella

This one is unfortunately very easily forgotten! If you’ve ever been stuck anywhere in public when it’s pouring without an umbrella, you know how frustrating it is.

My suggestion? Get an umbrella, put it in your school bag and never. ever. take it out (unless you have to use it, of course).

#7: Dorm/Apartment Keys & Car Keys

Another predicament I would never wish on a fellow college student is being stuck without your dorm or apartment keys.

For obvious reasons, this can be disastrous. To help prevent this, be sure to keep your key on some sort of lanyard or string.

I also suggest keeping your key in your school bag at all times so you’re never without it while you’re out.

Wherever you decide to keep it, make sure it’s somewhere you won’t forget it and be sure to keep it there at all times to prevent losing it.

#8: Student ID Card

On a similar note to the last one, don’t forget your student ID at home!

This of course varies from college to college, but oftentimes, your ID card acts as your dorm key, meal swipe card, and swipe access for things like printers, labs, and classrooms.

Depending on your school, losing or forgetting your ID card makes it impossible to do literally anything.

There are two methods I’ve used to keep track of my card, and you can choose whichever works best for you (or another method if you have a better one):

1) Use one of these phone wallets. This is my preferred method and I cannot express how convenient these things are.

2) Use a lanyard card/badge holder. Slide your card inside, put it in your school bag, and leave it there forever!

#9: Hygiene/Self Care/Snacks/Medical Items

Next is just a general reminder to pack any sort of hygiene/self care/snacks/personal products you might need when you’re out.

This is different for everyone, but here are some commons items you might find useful to keep in your school bag:

Deodorant

Chapstick

Hairbrush

Makeup wipes

Hand sanitizer

Winter gloves

Feminine products

Granola bars

Medical pills, devices, etc.

Sunglasses

Portable mini fan

Hair ties

Gum

#10: Portable Phone Charger

For safety reasons, I feel it’s important to always have a portable phone charger on hand.

Similar to my water bottle, I typically keep my portable charger charging at home so it’s ready to go at all times.

Before I leave, I put it in my school bag so in case my phone is low battery, I’m able to charge it while out.

#11: School Supplies

And finally, this is another general reminder to pack any other school supplies you’ll need for class.

Since everyone has different schedules, classes, majors, etc. it’s hard to be specific with this, but you’ll typically know if you need to bring something specific to class.

For example, when I was an art major, I knew I had to bring a giant drawing pad and special pencils to class everyday.

Maybe you need to bring a specific textbook, piece of equipment, or other supplies.

Just be sure that if you got an email from your professor saying you need something specific or it says you need a certain something in the syllabus, that you don’t forget it!

Outro & Closing Thoughts

That’s the end of this post on college backpack essentials.

I hope this post helps you prepare your backpack for school and effectively prep for the semester ahead. Wishing you a great school year!

Thanks for reading my post “College Backpack Essentials: 11 Things You DON’T Want To Forget For Class!”

For handmade digital art prints, icon packs, wallpapers, & more designed by me, be sure to stop by my digital boutique: Designed By Nikki Lo.

Connect with me!

11 College Backpack Essentials (Things To NEVER Forget!)