How to Pack a School Bag

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Backpack Packing List

1 Essential Supplies

2 Organization

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Co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: September 1, 2024 Fact Checked

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Packing your own school bag can be exciting and fun, but you might also be a little bit unsure about where to start. Get organized by sorting out your supplies, then finding just the right spot in your bag for each of them! A heavy bag can put a lot of strain on your back, so make sure you bring only what you need and organize your stuff in a well-balanced way.

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Backpack Packing List

Sample Backpack Packing List

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Essential Supplies

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1. 1
   Include your folders, books, pencils, and other school supplies. Ask your teacher or look at your supply list to find out what kinds of school supplies you need to bring with you each day. This might include workbooks, a notebook, folders for carrying your homework and loose papers, and any textbooks you’ll be using that day. You might also need things like:

   • Pencils, pens, and erasers
   • A calculator
   • A tablet or other electronic devices you use at home and school, and any chargers that go with them
2. 2
   Pack some water and snacks to fuel you during the day. Whether or not you bring your own lunch, it’s a good idea to bring extra snacks in case you get hungry before or after lunchtime. If your school allows it, pack a zip-top bag or a small plastic container with some healthy snacks, like cut-up fruit, carrot sticks, or crackers. Put some water in a lightweight, spill-proof bottle or thermos so you can take a sip when you get thirsty.

   • Pick a reusable water bottle that you can refill easily from a water fountain at school. Not only will you waste less plastic, but you’ll never have to worry about running out of water!
   • If you bring your own lunch, pack it in an insulated lunchbox that won’t leak inside your bag.
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3. 3
   Grab any personal items you might need, like your keys or spare change. Think about all the little personal items you need to use during the day, and make sure you pack those as well! A few things you might want to pack are:

   • House keys
   • Phone (and charger)
   • School ID
   • Wallet or change pouch
   • Brush or comb
   • Period supplies, like pads or tampons, if you might get your period at school
4. 4
   Put a sweater or jacket in your bag in case it gets chilly. You never know when you might get cold during the day. Pack a light sweater, jacket, or hoodie that you can easily roll up and fit in your backpack. You might also pack a pair of gym shoes, although you can probably leave them at school most of the time.

   • If you’re worried about getting your period by surprise, pack a change of underwear and some pants you can easily fit into your bag, like some light leggings. That way, you can change in case you have a leak.
5. 5
   Protect yourself by packing masks and hand sanitizer. If you’re going to school during the coronavirus pandemic, you might need to pack a couple of extra supplies to stay safe and healthy. Put at least 2 masks in your bag, and pack a small bottle of hand sanitizer in case the hand cleaning stations at your school run out.

   • Keep your masks inside a paper bag inside your backpack to keep them from getting lost or dirty. Put a label on the bag and write your name on it so it doesn’t get mixed up with anyone else’s stuff when you take it out.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Organization

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1. 1
   Use a backpack with lots of compartments to keep your stuff organized. A bag with lots of compartments will help keep the weight more balanced, so it doesn’t hurt your back and shoulders. Plus, it’ll be easier to find your stuff when you need it! Look for a bag with at least 2 big main compartments, plus smaller pockets for items that might get easily buried or crushed.

   • A lot of backpacks have side compartments that are great for carrying water bottles or thermoses.
   • You can use smaller pockets for carrying stuff like chargers, pencil cases, and little odds and ends like Chapstick or change for the vending machine.
2. 2
   Keep little items in smaller containers so they don’t get lost. Don’t just let your pencils and spare change roll around loose in your backpack. Instead, put little items in smaller bags or cases so you can keep them all together. For example, you can:

   • Put pens, pencils, markers, erasers, and other writing stuff in a pencil case or pouch.
   • Keep your spare change, lunch card, and school ID in a wallet or change purse.
   • Put your hand sanitizer, tissues, and hairbrush in a zipper pouch.
   • Organize loose papers into folders by subject.
3. 3
   Arrange your stuff into related groups, like writing supplies and electronics. Before you pack your bag, sort out all your stuff. If you keep related items together, you’ll have an easier time finding them in your bag! For example:

   • Put writing supplies like pens, pencils, erasers, and highlighters together.
   • If you have different classes, keep your books and folders for those classes together.
   • Bundle your chargers, headphones, and other electronic accessories together in one group.
   • Decide which compartment on your backpack will hold which types of items so you won’t have to guess when you’re looking for them! For example, you might put your pencils and other writing stuff in the right side compartment, and your chargers on the left.
4. 4
   Put heavier items low and close to your back. If you have a book that weighs a ton, put it in your bag first. Keep it in the main compartment, as close to your back as possible. That way, it won’t hurt your back or throw you off balance.

   • Putting heavy items in first will also help prevent smaller and more fragile things from getting buried or crushed.
5. 5
   Place smaller and lighter items in the smaller compartments. To help balance the load and prevent little or fragile things from getting squashed, put your smaller items into different compartments. For example, you could:

   • Put your folders in the outer back pocket.
   • Keep your water bottle in one of the side compartments.
   • Place pencils or other writing supplies in a smaller pocket.
   • Keep really fragile items, like your cell phone, in inside pockets higher up in the bag. That way, they’re less likely to get crushed.
6. 6
   Use soft items to pad fragile things. You can protect smaller items or keep them from shifting around by packing softer items around or on top of them. For example, pad your tablet by packing your sweater or hoodie between it and other items in the same compartment.

   • Some backpacks also have straps, loops, or mesh pockets inside that can help hold small items in place.
7. 7
   Pack only what you really need to keep your bag light. Take a look at your schedule each day and make sure you’re not making things harder on yourself by carrying extra stuff. If there’s a book you don’t really need on a particular day, don’t bring it! Not going to gym today? Leave your sneakers at home.

   • If you have a locker or cubby at school, leave stuff in there that you don’t have to bring home every day. For example, you could keep your gym shoes in there.
   • You can also unload your heavy books and put them in your locker as soon as you get to school.
8. 8
   Make sure the load is no more than 10% of your weight. No matter how carefully you balance all that stuff, a backpack that’s just too heavy can still hurt your back. Once you pack your bag, weigh it on a scale or ask an adult to help you. If it weighs more than about 10% of what you weigh, take some stuff out and check again.

   • To find 10% of your weight, multiply how much you weigh by 0.1. For example, if you weigh 95 pounds (43 kg), 10% of that would be 9.5 pounds (4.3 kg).
   • If you absolutely have to bring a super heavy load of stuff to school, get a backpack with wheels so that you can pull it behind you instead of wearing it!
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  Do I need to pack a full bag for the first day of school?

  

  Ashley Pritchard, MA
  School Counselor

  Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine.

  

  Ashley Pritchard, MA

  School Counselor

  Expert Answer

  No, it's unlikely you'll need everything you'll normally need. The first day is usually orientation, so you won't need all of those books and everything.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
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  Not Helpful 4 Helpful 27
• Question

  Is it okay to pack tampons?

  

  Ashley Pritchard, MA
  School Counselor

  Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine.

  

  Ashley Pritchard, MA

  School Counselor

  Expert Answer

  Absolutely! A lot of girls bring feminine products with them to school. Don't feel bad about putting things you need in your bag!

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  Do we need to bring a notebook?

  

  Ruby

  Top Answerer

  It can be a useful thing to have, even if it is just a small one. That said, if you see no purpose for a notebook, don't bother bringing one.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• Lots of schools have long lists of supplies you need to bring with you each day, and sometimes the stuff you need can change from one day to the next. If you have trouble keeping track of it all, write a checklist so you can make sure you have everything you need.
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• Always bend and lift with your knees when you’re picking up a heavy backpack. Bending your spine can put strain on your back, and you might hurt yourself.
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• Have fun decorating your bag! For example, you can put on some patches or buttons to make a unique statement, or attach a cool keychain to one of the zippers.
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• Use a designated file folder, pouch, or binder to neatly store any important papers, notices from teachers, graded assignments you want to keep, or other loose pages you need to take to and from school. Having them neatly organized in one spot prevents crumpling and damage to fragile papers, and makes them easy to find when needed.
• Before packing up your backpack each morning, check your class schedule and make a list of only the books and supplies needed for that specific day. Don't automatically toss in every textbook — packing unnecessary heavy books weighs down your bag. Bring only required materials to avoid overload.
• If your school allows it, pack your phone or iPod in your bag for sending texts, making calls, or having a way to contact someone in an emergency. Be sure to keep electronics like phones and tablets protected inside cases or sleeves before placing them in your backpack to prevent any damage.
• Take time once a week to fully clean out your backpack and tidy it up. This keeps it fresh and prevents a mess. While cleaning, remove any random items you don't really need — avoid using your school bag as a dumping ground for miscellaneous stuff you toss in. Keep it neat and streamlined.
• Make sure to separate any makeup items from your schoolwork and notebooks. Cosmetics like liquid foundation, mascara, or loose powder can easily smudge or spill, ruining important papers and assignments. Keep makeup sealed tightly and packed away from school supplies.

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