How to Organize Your School Bag

Co-authored by Alicia Oglesby

Last Updated: December 9, 2024 Approved

If you're new to packing a school bag, or you've always been disorganized about it, there are some useful tips you can learn to ease the process. A well-packed school bag makes it easier to remember things, to find things and to carry it all. Just remember that you don't pack it once and forget about it––a school bag needs to be cleaned out and reorganized regularly, so that you don't end up carrying rotting bananas and a ton of pencil shavings.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Organizing Your School Bag

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^{[1]
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Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor

Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.} Organize your books in the order. This way, you won't be looking for books while your classmates are working. You will feel much more organized as you pull the books out where you expect them to be.^{[2]
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Keep all your papers in folders. Folders are an essential for neatness. You can keep your assignments and assessments, homework, important notices and basically anything important in this folder.^{[3]
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- Have three separate folders―one to keep for school (this folder), another to keep your assignment/test grades in, and another to use for old drafts for schoolwork.
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For example, keep your books in one area, your pencil case and related items in another section and your lunch in another. Place items such as your cell phone, money, ID card, house key, etc. in the pockets of the bag. Get used to distinct parts of your bag containing the same items, so that you know where to reach instinctively, even without looking.
Last of all put in your lunch, a bottle of water and a pack of chewing gum and mints (if using).

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Sorting the Items for Packing

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Put your existing items into to two piles, one for things you need and the things that you want. This will help you decide what is essential for school and what's just a preference. Even though some things may not be essential, they may make your studies more enjoyable, so you'll want to make room for them. Also, put aside things that are no longer useful, such as a grubby eraser or dog-eared exercise books with filled pages.^{[4]
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Sort what should be in your bag. The typical things to keep in your school bag include:^{[5]
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- Books
- Homework Planner
- Folders
- Two-pocketed pencil case - pencils, pens, ruler, eraser, highlighter, colored pencils, marker(s), sticky notes, tape, scissors, glue, pencil sharpener, compass, protractor, etc. The two-pocketed pencil case for school keeps all of your things in order without being too small.
- Calculator (preferably in a cover)
- Lunchbox (with daily lunch essentials, such as your water bottle)
- ID card
- Cellphone (if relevant)
- House key
- Tissues, medical needs
- Emergency money
It is a good idea to have a locker for sports gear so that you don't have to carry it daily, but do remember to bring it home regularly for washing and return it when ready again. In some cases, you may need to carry an extra bag for sports gear or special activities such as playing a musical instrument, doing art or participating in a club.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preparing the School Bag

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1
Get a suitable school bag. The size should be right for you and it is a good idea to try it before you buy it. If it's a backpack, try it on and check the comfort level. If it's a carrying style of bag, carry it around and get a feel for the handle, weight, and balance of the bag. Ask the retailer if it's okay to stuff the bag for trying it so that you get an idea of what it feels like when full (just use items from the back-to-school section to fill it, or stuff in a few other bags from nearby). Walk around a bit and see how the bag performs for you. You can choose a size colour and style yourself. Nowadays laptop bags are available. They can hold large items. So if you want you can buy a laptop bag also.^{[6]
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- Check the stitching or seals. Does the bag look like it can last the next year or does it look like it's about to fall apart with the first fill of books and clothes?
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If using your existing bag, clean it out. Remove all the contents and give the bag a wipe down inside and out. If it is machine washable, give it a spin and air dry. If not, wiping and vacuuming should do the trick. Start with an empty, clean bag.^{[7]
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- Take everything out of your school bag, even if you know that you need it. Make sure all of your pockets are empty too.
- Make sure all the rubbish such as used tissues, rubbish wrappers, etc., is put in the bin.

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How should a girl organize their desk?

Robert Rybarski
Organizational Specialist
Robert Rybarski is an Organizational Specialist and Co-Owner of Conquering Clutter, a business that customizes closets, garages, and plantation shutters to ensure organized homes and lifestyles. Robert has over 23 years of consulting and sales experience in the organization industry. His business is based in Southern California.

Robert Rybarski

Organizational Specialist

Expert Answer

Get an organizational system for any loose paper on top of your desk, like a small, mail-slot type device. You could always opt for the old-fashioned "inbox" and "outbox" as well. Try organizing the inside of your desk with dividers, which you can hold in place with Velcro or sticky tape.

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Where do you keep your bag in the classroom?

Ruby

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That will likely be explained to you in class. If not, see what everyone else is doing. Usually you just put your bag under your desk, or on the chair next to you, if it's free. In primary school, you'll likely be given a peg to hang your bag on. In some cases, bags may go to a certain area of the classroom, or you may be able to keep it in your locker if you don't need it.

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If I am walking to school, what bag is best for me to use?

Ruby

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A rucksack would be the best option for comfort, but any bag can work, even if you are walking.

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Tips

Try not to have random papers stuffed at the bottom. This makes it impossible to find them and soon it becomes a pile of squashed papers that aren't of use to you anymore but are taking up space.

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Always unpack your bag when you get home so that you can take out all of your papers. Then, repack your bag for the next day.

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If possible, keep big things such as your lunch in your locker so you won't carry to every class and at the end of the day, pick it up. Make good use of your locker too.

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The night before, always double-check if you have everything you need for the school day. This will help with keeping your stuff organized and you won't forget any assignments you have to turn in.
If you accidentally put the wrong school books in your school bag, try color-coding your schedule. Learn the colors for each day and put the right books in your bag for school.
Keep valuable stuff hidden, like your phone or wallet, so it doesn't get stolen! Always check your bag briefly after each lesson and properly when you get home.
Try to clean out your backpack at least once a week so that it's neat and tidy. You wouldn't want your friends to see that you have a messy backpack!

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Warnings

Never try to stuff everything into your bag because it will get messy and heavy. It might also split the bag if it's not strong enough; most recent bags have a weight limit that will be specified by the manufacturer.

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