As college students, it is amazing how much each of us manages to cram into our lives. We cram work, classes, time with family and friends, homework,and if we’re lucky, sleep in our daily schedules. Living away from home, we manage to cram two or more people’s stuff into one tiny space, be it an apartment or, even worse, a dorm room. The most amazing thing to me, though, is how much a college student can cram into a backpack.

As much as we hate to admit it, appearance is often the first thing to be noticed, and this is true even with our bags. This is probably a good thing, considering that digging through a stranger’s bag could earn you some quality time with DPS or the Ames police department. On the way to and from class (or as we sit on central campus and skip class), we usually have a bird’s eye view of everyone else’s backpacks. These can run from your plain, run-of- the-mill bags to the completely personalized pieces of art. My navy blue backpack definitely falls into the average category, which is fine with me. (I just hope it lasts me until graduation, which it should unless I start slacking off and suddenly find myself on the six- to eight- year plan.) My backpack does pale in comparison to many of the masterpieces I have seen other people carry. From patches to friendship pins, campaign buttons to hemp zipper pulls, the variety is endless.

As mom always says, it’s what is on the inside that counts. After dumping out my bag to discover what exactly was lurking inside, I was shocked to find out how much stuff I had managed to shove in. The contents may vary daily, but overall these are my basics …

Books. A good idea for obvious reasons, like the fact your teacher requested you haul it to class every day. However, these are also good for blocking out excess light as you try to catch a nap between classes at the library. The more books you carry around, the better workout you get jogging across campus, too.

Notebooks. These are good for taking notes or writing letters to friends during class. They’re also a good way to hone your art skills, by doodling in the margins.

Writing utensils. A necessity if you plan on doing any of the above. A wide variety of colors is especially useful in perfecting your drawing. I have more pens and pencils than anyone probably needs. But it never fails that when it comes time to take the last exam of the semester, I will have to search for a pencil to fill in that final dot.

Folders. My lame attempt to organize my class materials. Last semester I failed to invest in this area, and I still have no clue what happened to that psychology syllabus. These really aren’t required, but losing points, due to a crumpled paper, is never good.

The Daily. A good way to keep up on campus and world events. Reading the horoscope is a must for me, and the crossword is a good way to use those writing utensils.

Lunch. I brown bag it for two reasons: because I am too cheap to buy lunch everyday and because I am pretty sure that burgers and pizza don’t need to become my staple foods.

Change. Good for grabbing a snack or soda between classes. Change is also a must to hitch a ride on the bus when you have two minutes to get to class (or when the lovely Iowa winter weather sets in.)

Aspirin. It works wonders on those endless days where you are on campus for twelve hours, and throwing yourself in front of Cy-Ride seems less painful than sitting through another class.

Planner. Another attempt on my part to more effectively plan my time. It also becomes a good procrastination tool when I decide to color code my class assignments.

Kleenex. For that happy time when everyone on campus has a cold, or for when your soda decides to explode all over you in the middle of the Union.

Umbrella. Last year I was one of those freshmen who managed to forget it everytime it rained. Sitting through classes feeling nice and damp isn’t my idea of a good time.

After glancing over my list of must-haves, I had the sudden urge to paw through the bags of those around me in order to get a better picture of what they are truly like. Feeling no need to bond with DPS, I figured it was safer just to ask. I was amazed at how incredibly prepared some people are. Many bags included more than one calculator, contact supplies, cough drops, water and sunglasses. I was also shocked at what others found within the depths of their belongings. A chicken bone from lunch and a cordless drill were among the oddities.

So, what do you keep in your bag?

Laura Luiken is a sophomore in English from Webster City.