10 Things You Should ALWAYS Keep in Your Backpack That Aren’t Related to School

When it comes to packing our bags for school, it's easy to remember the basics—binder, folders, pencils, pens, etc.

But there are a handful of just as equally important items many of us forget to store away in the various pockets of our backpacks.

So what are these things you're forgetting? Scroll below for the 10 items you should always keep in your backpack that aren't related to school.

1. Snacks

Depending on how your school works out your lunch hour, it can happen super early or late in the day. We don't know a single person who can make it to lunch without wanting to much on something, so snacks are a serious essential to keep in your backpack. You don't need to pack a second meal, just something that'll satisfy your hunger until lunch or until you get home from school. A granola bar or some fruit snacks should do the trick, but the choice is yours.

 

2. Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is key to ensuring a successful day at school. Besides, who wants to take a sip from those nasty water fountains around campus? Not us, that's for sure. Get yourself a bottle that's substantial in size and make sure it's filled to the brim with water and ice every morning before you head off to school. That way when you're thirsty, you don't need to put your lips anywhere near that disgusting spigot.

 

3. Tissues

Runny noses and watery eyes happen to the best of us, so it's a no-brainer to keep a small package of tissues in your backpack at all times. Teachers don't always have them in their classrooms, nor do you want to be that kid who gets up a thousand times during the period to keep getting more. Keep some with you so you don't have to worry about that happening.

 

4. Hand Sanitizer

You'll touch some pretty disgusting things throughout the day, but going to the bathroom to wash your hands every five minutes isn't always an option. That's why carrying a small container of hand sanitizer is absolutely necessary. The amount of germs that are sitting on your locker, the desks you sit at and the door handles you open are chock full of bacteria. A little drop of sanitizer will keep your hands as clean as possible throughout the day.

 

5. Oil Blotting Sheets

We don't know about you, but our faces tend to get pretty oily during the day. Rather than taking our entire makeup bag with us, we always keep some oil blotting sheets in one of our backpack's pockets to rid our face of shine. While a compact seems like it would do the trick, it doesn't prevent oil from coming back quite like a pack of these bad boys.

 

6. Mints

Some schools don't always allow students to have gum, so how can you achieve fresh breath? Mints, obviously. After lunch, pop one of these suckers into your mouth and your breath will smell fresh as a daisy (mint?) for the rest of the school day. Just be sure to do this in secret, because you don't want the whole school knowing you have a tin of 'em. Everybody will ask you for one and you'll run out before the end of the day.

 

7. Extra Hair Ties

Sometimes having our hair down is the last thing we want to do. Whether it's incredibly hot and humid or you're just stressed out, there's no better feeling than tying your luscious locks into a ponytail or bun to get it out of your face. But if you don't have a hair tie or the only one around your wrist breaks, you're out of luck. This is why it's incredibly important to keep a couple extras in your backpack at all times.

 

8. Headphones

Sure, you're not going to use headphones all that often throughout the school day, but they'll still come in handy when you need them. If your class goes to the computer lab, do you really want to use the same ones the rest of your peers have had resting on their greasy heads? Absolutely, not. Bring your own pair with you to avoid this problem.
 

9. Chapstick

There's nothing more disrupting to your learning experience than dealing with dry, cracked lips. While you may think you can just continue to lick your lips until they're moisturized, that'll only make it worse. Be sure to have a lip balm or two on hand to keep your puckers plump and smooth from period to period.

 

10. Body Spray

That deodorant we all swipe on in the morning doesn't always last as long as we'd like to think. Carrying one around doesn't always work, especially because it can easily melt during a hot day. This is why we recommend carrying around a small bottle of body spray to keep you smelling as fresh as can be. Just be sure not to overdo it. A little spritz goes a long way.

 

If you haven't already picked out the perfect bag for school, we've got you covered. HERE's the backpack you need, based on your zodiac sign.