Once you’ve started college, it is important to have a sturdy, dependable backpack. Since most colleges do not have lockers, students are expected to carry around very thick and heavy books on their person, and the same backpacks you used in high school just won’t cut it anymore.
Most high school kids buy backpacks at mass merchant stores, or even a trendy clothing store at the mall, because they “look cool”. Oftentimes these pretty backpacks only serve aesthetic purposes and the straps break down with weight over time. This is why it is important to purchase a quality backpack at a sporting goods store or where they sell camping equipment.
Sporting goods stores are the best places to find sturdy, reliable backpacks because most of them are equipped to carry heavy outdoor sporting objects, such as camping tents, flashlights, cooking supplies, and lanterns. These backpacks serve not only use in helping you carry things for school, but also to multitask for those weekend camping trips!
When buying a new backpack, be sure not to buy the cheapest one just because it’s cheap. It’s important to look for strength; make sure the seams are strongly bound with thick thread, that there is enough room for a large stack of books and supplies, and also it is helpful if there is a waist strap that buckles around the front and gives your back extra support.
One reason it is important to have a dependable backpack is that, whether you’re running to make it through the door of your early class or running away from a pack of wolves in the woods; you definitely don’t want a cheap backpack to rip on a passing branch and spill all of your stuff out onto the ground. Strong backpacks will stand up to serious wear and tear and refrain from ripping with the slightest tumble.
Another wonderful reason to buy a nicer backpack is that you’ll find the nicer brands tend to outlast the cheaper brands; where you might spend $20 every semester on a new backpack, you’ll find that you save money in the long run with at least a $50 backpack. And saving money is a hard thing to do once you’re in college!
You might want to also consider buying accessories to go with your backpack. Many of them already contain outer pouches for water bottles and cellphones, but if you’re a girl, then you might want to consider buying an accessory case or small make-up pouch to keep in your backpack; this will reduce having to carry around a purse in addition to a heavy backpack. Also you might need additional pouches for you ID, money, and pens.
It is important to have a nice backpack in college, not only to save money on replacing it every year, but also to help your health; cheap backpacks don’t properly distribute even weight on your back. It may not be the prettiest backpack in the story, but in the long run you’ll be glad you chose quality over aesthetics.
