How to Organize: Your Backpack

With back to school in full swing, it’s time to take advantage of organizing the things we use every day. Let’s start with the backpacks.

Whether you are a mom with a fifth grader who likes to collect everything under the sun, a freshman in high school trying to navigate the halls, or a sophomore in college who’s just trying to get by, this post is for you.

Our backpacks become a place to throw whatever we want in it. Pencils? In the backpack. Tissues? In the backpack. Dry cereal that you forgot to eat for breakfast? In the backpack. Before we know it, we can’t find anything in the mess we take everywhere with us.

I always like to clean out my backpack and give it a good washing before every school year. I have bought my backpacks in the past from L.L. Bean or Lands’ End and they last a long time. They come in fun designs, are durable, and machine washable!

After it’s finished being cleaned, I put the essentials in, the things that never come out. This can vary for everyone, but for me I always like to have these things accessible always. I always carry…

• Tic tacs or gum (Fresh breathe always!)
• Spare change (Always good to have emergency money)
• Tissues (Fall and colds are right around the corner)
• A snack (trail mix or something dry to eat in case I’m running around and don’t have time for lunch.)
• Pencil Case (yes, I still have one even in college-where else am I going to store my pencils, pens, and highlighters)
• My Planner (A must have for everyone. You can never be too organized)
• An umbrella (you never want to be caught across campus in a thunderstorm without one)
• An extra empty folder (I use this if I am collecting papers throughout the day to ensure they don’t get crushed or wrinkled)

I alternate my books and binders depending on the day and the classes I have. If they are not in my back pack they are sitting on my desk. I try to keep things in the same spot, so I can always find them.

I appreciate  a clean backpack so I know where everything is. I don’t like clutter so I keep things in separate pockets to keep them organized.

Now, it’s your turn! What essentials do you keep in your backpack? Or moms, what things can’t your little ones live without? Let me know in the comments below!!