What’s in Your Backpack?

Beyond School Supplies, Local Students Are Bringing Along Everything from Kindness Notes to Self-Care Products

By AVERY ZEMLAK | Contributing Writer

As summer winds down and school is back in session, Palisades students are preparing to fill their backpacks with everyday school essentials—but also some fun, unique items as well.

When spending several hours per day at school, students find it important to have other things with them besides their required items for class. From skincare and makeup items to technological accessories, students begin to think about what they will need to pack in the coming weeks.

For most high school- and middle school-aged students, it is common to have a laptop or iPad, notebooks, pencils, lunchbox, and water bottle in their bag. However, some schools do not have a set materials list, therefore, some people like to think outside of the box—or, dare I say, outside of the backpack.

I surveyed some students to find out “what’s in their backpack” and here’s what I found.

Palisades Charter High School junior Anna Song said this year she will be carrying a tote bag with her. Along with her tote will be an umbrella and the usual items, such as her notebooks, pencil pouch and loose leaf paper. Some students have traded in their backpacks for large purses or tote bags.

Juniors Sofya Vaivad and Conor Kowalski will be packing some self-care products with them this coming fall. A mini nail file, hairbrush and sunscreen will be found in Vaivad’s bag. Hairstyling products and face moisturizer can be seen inside Kowalski’s bag.

Junior Ryan Carpenter planned to keep band-aids and her water bottle with her. Carpenter also likes to keep “kindness notes” in her backpack for an occasional boost of positivity.

Besides computers, iPads and phones, students noted the importance of having other technological tools with them. Song will be bringing her portable charger, Vaivad will have her AirPods for those times in class when you have to watch videos individually and Kowalski will be bringing his TI-84 calculator, which is a requirement for some Pali High math classes.

When it comes to student athletes, the contents of their backpacks can differ. Sophomore Andreas Konnari tends to keep running shoes, a baseball glove and a protein shake in his bag so he is prepared for after-school baseball practices.

As for me, I will be bringing Chapstick, extra hair ties and a copious amount of colorful pens to make my notes clear and fun to read, along with my usual school supplies.

Regardless of what will be in your backpack at the start of this year, it is subject to change once class material requirements start to come in. I may have to add some of the items mentioned above to my backpack this year, and I hope this list has inspired you for your 2023-24 backpack.