How to Choose a Convenient School Bag

How to Choose a School Bag

1

Consider your needs. Take a look at your school's supply list (if they provide you one) and its policies on bags, the textbooks you will be receiving from your school, and whether you'll be using a laptop (mostly in late high school). These factors affect the type and size of the bag you will need.

• First of all, see what your school's rules or handbook have to say about backpacks. Certain schools do not allow rolling backpacks or messenger bags, for example, and some have specifications with regards to style or color.
• If you have back problems or other medical needs, make sure that the type of bag you're considering getting will not cause you more trouble. Messenger bags, tote bags or other bags carried on only one shoulder may be poor choices in this situation.
• If you will be transporting a laptop to school, record its measurements, so you can narrow down your choices of bags to ones that have a laptop pocket and ones which have the perfectly sized pocket for your mini-computer.

2

Weigh the positive attributes and the negative when selecting a bag. Here are negative examples:

• "The bag I want to buy can't hold all my stuff!"
• "My school/parents won't allow it."
• "The bag is too expensive."
• "People have been saying that it isn't durable."
• "Everyone has one."
• "The bag is not eye-catching."
• "It isn't waterproof."
• "I don't like the style!".

3

Consider all of the pros you want in your bag as well as attributes that might actually be unnecessary - and do this before going shopping. This will make your decision less stressful!

• Other than your school supplies, what else might you carry? Middle and high school students might want to bring a makeup kit, a phone, an iPod, or projects, among other things. So, decide what goes into your bag before getting one. These things make a difference (some bags provide a device pocket in which you can carry your portable devices and listen to music).