Every morning, students sling backpacks over their shoulders with items to get them through the school day. Beneath the straps, one may find anything from crumpled up worksheets, to laptops, keychains or snacks. A backpack reveals far more than just school supplies. Some students keep their backpacks organized, with notebooks and folders in perfect order. Others seem to carry around a jumble of items, with papers spilling out and crushed in their backpacks. What’s in a student’s backpack says a lot about them.
“I like to keep my backup very organized with folders, laptop, any books I need for school and my writing utensils,” said senior Hailee Simspon.
These differences in backpack habits often reflect the way that students approach their daily lives, showing how they organize their responsibilities, manage stress and navigate their lives.
“I never leave my house without putting my aquaphor and lip liner in my backpack for school. I always touch up between every class,” said senior Ava Bulson.
Students like Ava show how small routines can become a source of confidence, turning their backpack into something more personal than just a place to store school supplies. The items students choose to carry reveal the little rituals that help them feel prepared, put together and ready to face the day.
“Every school day, I pull out some sort of energy drink from my backpack to get me through the school day,” said senior Easton Gotherberg. “My favorite energy drink is Red Bull.”
Students rely on the things in their backpacks to boost their energy and stay focused. For some, its energy drinks, and for others, it might be snacks or other comfort items to help them push through the stress of class. These choices show how each student develops their own way of staying motivated and managing the demands of high school.
