College supplies "style"?

This is a very odd and slightly embarassing question to ask.

What do girls wear/use in college? Backpack, messenger bag... what? I ask cause I don't want to look silly, I'm already very self conscious and just want to blend in/fit in. I see a lot of guys with backpacks and all the girls I've seen are empty handed...

I'm a fan of jansport backpacks if they even still exist, but I don't want to get one if it's "out of style".

I'm sure I'll end up making more college threads because I'm so clueless and scared, haha. I worry about every detail. CCers are like my mentors!

I see a lot of girls with backpacks.  If you have a lot of books to lug around, it's really the only practical choice. 

Go to staples this week and you can buy whatever backpack floats your boat and get a voucher for the price later on to spend on supplies.

I think it varies school to school. state schools i see a lot of backpacks and pj pants and normal college stuff, but at my school girls didn't carry backpacks -- most used totebags instead, because you can get those giant shoulder bags that hold a lot of books but are still cute. And no one wore pj's to class, which was a little disappointing. But it was a pretty small school with pretty affluent kids attending (not me... i was on scholarship! shhhh!)

It's up to you -- college tends to be a little more accepting of different styles than high school was. Just remember that your bookbag or whatever doesn't really matter and don't sweat it too much. It's time to start finding and being yourself, rather than worrying about what the crowd is doing! Have fun and good luck!

Depends.  Do you need books for classes?  Do you want to carry all of the books necessary for your classes around in your hands all day?  No?  I wouldn't either.  Too much of a risk with tripping and droppin everything.

I went to a medical college for a certification course, so a backpack wasn't necessary for me.  I had one class, one book, one folder.  Everyone else I know, it varies so much.

Friends of mine in community college don't want to lug around backpacks because it'll make their backs sweaty and they're "not cool".  So instead they have messenger bags and giant purses that they can fit everything in to.  I mean, hell, it's a community college.  Classes are decently spaced out, they can run to their cars to get their next set of books.

Friends of mine in university colleges don't want to carry five books, notebooks, binders, and pencil cases, and can't be bothered with getting dressed for class and carrying around the new Coach bags that're so big you can fit a small child in them, so they use backpacks, messenger bags, diaper bags, store bags, or whatever they can get their hands on.

And then there're the friends of mine who don't give a **** either way, regardless of what type of classes they have or what type of school they go to.  They'll carry what's comfortable, and if it's a purse with their books crammed in or a backpack, so long as they're getting themselves and their supplies to the classroom, they're happy.

Original Post by smwhipple:

Go to staples this week and you can buy whatever backpack floats your boat and get a voucher for the price later on to spend on supplies.

Can you explain what you mean further? I buy a backpack and get a voucher for the price of the bag? So the bag is like... free?

In college... it really doesnt matter.  Personally, I use a messanger bag...but that's because I cant justify buying a backpack when this back is still perfectly functional.  I go to a CC... students there use suitcases (small 'carry on w/ rollers), back backs, giant purses, nothing, messanger bags etc.  It's up to you and what fits your lifestyle/needs.

ETA:   One of my class mates always brought her stuff in a walmart plastic bag and upgraded to the hug-a-tree-bags (the reusable walmart bag)  freakin genious if you ask me :)

Original Post by cptbunny:

Original Post by smwhipple:

Go to staples this week and you can buy whatever backpack floats your boat and get a voucher for the price later on to spend on supplies.

Can you explain what you mean further? I buy a backpack and get a voucher for the price of the bag? So the bag is like... free?

I think sm may mean a recipt to exchange the bag?

aw, bunny.  this is cute!

i see lots of all of the above.  i also see students dressed to the nines and students in their pajamas.  anything goes.

ps: you should get one of those scooters.  not the flash plasticky vespas or yamahas but the raw, utilitarian, bare-bones ones with just a tubular steel frame and a headlight and seat bolted on.  i love those!

If it was 110 here, I'd TOTALLY get one!!!  They look so fun.  You should totally do it Bunny

I used both.  Backpack when my classes where right after one another and a long trek apart.  That way I could haul everything comfortably. 

I used a messenger bag my last two semesters because all my classes where in the building by the main parking lot.  So I could go out to the car and repack between classes.

Staples has a special on, but I think it ends pretty soon.  You buy one of their back packs and in about a month you get a store voucher for the same amount.  Essentially it's free if you need any other supplies.

Oh that's pretty nifty!

Well I am glad that people are more accepting in college, as you can see I am severely traumatized by my K-12 experience, haha. I think I'm going to settle for one of these in black, it's pretty cheap and my old one (which I can't find and I've looked everywhere ) lasted me from 6th grade till graduation. I'd use one of my many hobo bags but I'm afraid they might get torn from sharp edges of books/notebooks. I never really wore my backpack over both shoulders, it was always over one shoulder, only time it was on both was if I had to lug a lot around.

Pg:

Sorry, I think that special ended last Sunday.

In college, don't bother trying to look cool...just do what suits you and is comfortable for you, both in clothing and accessories.  Our bookstore carries tons of bags and backpacks and trust me, they wouldn't carry them if they weren't being sold to college kids.

I still carry a backpack with one strap on the shoulder except when I realize that it's heavy. 

I see a mix of everything.

I've used messenger bags, and recently...just a big oversized bag that was on sale at urban outfitters! I love it! It fits everything in it, but it doesn't have that "backpack" feel to it.

I see plenty of girls with backpacks though, so I'd say you'd be safe either way.

The great thing about college is that nobody cares what you wear or look like.  Get whatever you like best.  If it's different from what everyone else has... no one will care.

Original Post by smwhipple:

In college, don't bother trying to look cool...just do what suits you and is comfortable for you... 

yeah.  and don't forget, you are older, wiser woman!  don't let those little **** get to you; you know things that they don't

awwww bunny. you are such a sweetie...so sincere.

anything goes! you should pick what appeals to you. show those kids what aya-style is all about! seriously.

i bought my daughter a new backpack last year. she had been using the same one for 3 or 4 years and was due. she looked and looked and looked @@ and finally found this one at rei. she seems pretty content with it. she needed a big backpack because she always carries too many books and UT Austin campus is 40 acres plus so its always a good hike between classes. she is only 5'3" though so she could almost fit inside the big manly ones. we were certainly giggling trying to get her zipped up in one. haha

i had some ladybug buttons laying around so i sewed one on her backpack at her request. cute. the other one went on bfs 5yo daughters biker vest. cute cute.

I'm forced to carry a huge ass portfolio and an art tackle box for all my tools. I look like an art dork by default. But I never feel bad about my backpack. :D

Buy what's comfty. You'll have to carry it around after all. If anyone wants to say something about your bag, kick them in the throat and keep on walking. <3

you are an art student jae?

ahem...art and dork are mutually exclusive concepts. would love to see some of your stuff if you get a chance to share it.

i have my sons drawings up all over in my apartment. even his third grade art show stuff. :)

Not with all the classes art kids have to take. *w* That's the case in my school anyway. And I want to stay on the dean's list, so...