Campus Life

What's in my backpack?

They say you can tell a lot about a person from the contents of their backpack. Terrence brings us along on a what's-in-my-bag tour. Number 7 might surprise you!

September 08, 2026 By Terrence

student backpack
Terrence

YouAlberta is written by students for students.

Terrence (they/them), an Edmontonian who is studying computer science and English at the U of A, is a multi-disciplinary creative. They express their creativity through poetry, software development, embroidery and linocut. Terrence actively practices queer joy in politically tangible ways and celebrates the uniqueness and beauty of queerness and transness. You can find Terrence enjoying North Campus green spaces and connecting with campus wildlife, like magpies, rabbits and squirrels, between classes or unwinding and taking their dog to the dog park.

Having what you need in your backpack can be the difference between a good day and a bad day. 

I believe this wholeheartedly. The things in my backpack have helped me immeasurably on a number of occasions

1. Tiny stapler

I cannot express how helpful the $2 tiny stapler I got years ago has been for me. I'd say about 80% of all assignments I've handed in have been stapled by it, and I've shared it with countless peers.

2. Pouch of needed items

I have a small pouch that contains:

  • Band-Aids
  • Tissues
  • Hair ties
  • Menstrual products
  • Napkins
  • Plastic bags
  • Allergy medication
  • Pain medication
  • Nail clippers
  • Toothbrush
  • Travel-sized deodorant
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Earplugs
  • Safety pins

You never know when a small disaster will strike, so I've found it helpful to keep this pouch around, even if I use some items less than others. 

Some items are helpful for mornings when I forget a crucial step of the getting-ready process; others are helpful for both me and peers in need. I highly recommend having some kind of pouch with needed items that suit your situation!

3. Hoodie

At some point in my life, I was gifted a phenomenal hoodie that folds down to practically nothing and tucks neatly into the bottom of my backpack. If I misjudge the weather, it's a helpful extra layer to keep me slightly warmer.

4. Some kind of art supplies

I think it's important to give my brain a break when I can, so I keep a small collection of art supplies in another pouch in my bag. Currently, I have some origami paper and a DIY mending kit (a thread, needle and tiny scissors)

5. Backup pens

Now you might be thinking: Terrence, why are you just recommending backup pens, rather than regular ones?

And to that I say: I think that the average student has at least one pen in their bag already, but the primary purpose of the backup pen is social, followed by functional.

I will, of course, find use for a backup pen in the event that I forget my pencil case with all of my highlighters and preferred pens … but I’ll also be delighted to say, "You can keep this one if you'd like," when someone asks to borrow one.

6. Post-it notes

In addition to notebooks, I have some Post-its that are useful for trading contact information, writing down book titles to share with people and making to-do lists (so I can move from the class notebook to the brain dump notebook without rewriting anything).

7.  Sentimental rocks

I have a pebble from a beach in Iceland, three pieces of granite from Alaska, a piece of quartz from Alaska, a various crystals gifted to me by a friend and a volcanic rock from Iceland. I can't say they've proved useful, but they aren't leaving my bag.

8. Extra gloves/socks

I’ve stepped in too many unexpected puddles to forego a pair of backup socks in my bag. Similarly, I tend to have a sense that the cold 'isn't that bad' until I actually go outside and my fingers are nearly frozen off, so I keep a pair of gloves in my bag just in case. Though it might be warm now, I never take them out of my bag. It's easier to be prepared.

9. Highlighters

Since I like analog notes, it follows that I enjoy highlighters a lot. I find it helpful to highlight my own notes after class as a form of review. It also adds some creativity to my note-taking.

10. Notebooks

Now this may seem like a boring one, but the most important one cannot be overstated! Writing notes analog on paper (as opposed to typing or using my tablet) helps me remember what I've learned in class better than any screens. They’re also lighter and smaller, so they fit in my bag better than my laptop. 

The big downside is that if I forget my notebook for a particular class, it makes note-taking a tad tricky… (However, I suppose the same could be said of a laptop)!

I have one notebook per class, and I keep them in a pouch within my bag. I also have a small 'brain dump' notebook where I put all the to-do tasks that come my way during the day — it’s useful to keep it all in one place.

11. Any cords I need

In the event that I bring any technology on campus, I also bring my cord pouch, which contains chargers for all of the things I bring. It's a bit of a no-brainer, but on days when I forget my cord pouch, I certainly feel its absence!

Whatever you have in your bag, I hope it serves you well on your U of A journey!