Pencils, pens, and erasers A calculator A tablet or other electronic devices you use at home and school, and any chargers that go with them

Pick a reusable water bottle that you can refill easily from a water fountain at school. Not only will you waste less plastic, but you’ll never have to worry about running out of water![5] X Research source If you bring your own lunch, pack it in an insulated lunchbox that won’t leak inside your bag.

House keys Phone (and charger) School ID Wallet or change pouch Brush or comb Period supplies, like pads or tampons, if you might get your period at school

If you’re worried about getting your period by surprise, pack a change of underwear and some pants you can easily fit into your bag, like some light leggings. That way, you can change in case you have a leak.

Keep your masks inside a paper bag inside your backpack to keep them from getting lost or dirty. Put a label on the bag and write your name on it so it doesn’t get mixed up with anyone else’s stuff when you take it out.

A lot of backpacks have side compartments that are great for carrying water bottles or thermoses. You can use smaller pockets for carrying stuff like chargers, pencil cases, and little odds and ends like Chapstick or change for the vending machine.

Put pens, pencils, markers, erasers, and other writing stuff in a pencil case or pouch. Keep your spare change, lunch card, and school ID in a wallet or change purse. Put your hand sanitizer, tissues, and hairbrush in a zipper pouch. Organize loose papers into folders by subject.

Put writing supplies like pens, pencils, erasers, and highlighters together. If you have different classes, keep your books and folders for those classes together. Bundle your chargers, headphones, and other electronic accessories together in one group. Decide which compartment on your backpack will hold which types of items so you won’t have to guess when you’re looking for them! For example, you might put your pencils and other writing stuff in the right side compartment, and your chargers on the left.

Putting heavy items in first will also help prevent smaller and more fragile things from getting buried or crushed.

Put your folders in the outer back pocket. Keep your water bottle in one of the side compartments. Place pencils or other writing supplies in a smaller pocket. Keep really fragile items, like your cell phone, in inside pockets higher up in the bag. That way, they’re less likely to get crushed.

Some backpacks also have straps, loops, or mesh pockets inside that can help hold small items in place.

If you have a locker or cubby at school, leave stuff in there that you don’t have to bring home every day. For example, you could keep your gym shoes in there. You can also unload your heavy books and put them in your locker as soon as you get to school.

To find 10% of your weight, multiply how much you weigh by 0. 1. For example, if you weigh 95 pounds (43 kg), 10% of that would be 9. 5 pounds (4. 3 kg). If you absolutely have to bring a super heavy load of stuff to school, get a backpack with wheels so that you can pull it behind you instead of wearing it!