As a college student, I’m always on the move. Every day, I walk to academic buildings, my dorm, the dining hall, the library, the bookstore, the recreation center — and everywhere in between. When you’re everywhere at once like I am, it can get pretty easy to forget stuff along the way.

This is exactly why I keep my entire life inside my backpack — so that I’m prepared for any situation that life throws me. Whether it’s an academic emergency or a beauty one, I can probably fix it with my Mary Poppins bag.

First off, my backpack is a black North Face Borealis Classic. I bought it my Freshman year of high school and it has lasted ever since — yeah, five years strong. It still looks brand new. My mom got my monogram sewn on it in blue when I first bought it, making it simple yet personalized.

The backpack holds a lot of books, has a lot of compartments for supplies, and doesn’t put too much weight on your shoulders. Also, the fabric hasn’t ripped even ONCE in the five years I’ve lugged it around. A truly gold standard backpack. Here’s what I keep inside:

School Supplies

1. Agenda
2. Notebooks
3. Folders
4. Highlighters
5. Pens and pencils
6. Block erasers
7. Sticky notes

Beauty & Hygiene

1. Lip balm
2. Scrunchies
3. Hair ties
4. Gum
5. Mints
6. Moisturizer
7. Concealer
8. Tide stick
9. Hand sanitizer
10. Pads and tampons
11. Pain meds (e.g. Aleve, Advil, etc.)
12. Invisalign case

Technology

1. Laptop (+charger)
2. Phone (+charger)
3. Beats Headphones (+charger)
4. Calculator (+charger)
5. Earbud splitter

Extras

1. Lab goggles
2. Reusable stainless steel straws
3. Reusable Starbucks coffee cup
4. Keys
5. Sunglasses

I have found that it’s better to have too much in your daily bag, rather than too little. One of my least favorite feelings in the world is the feeling of being unprepared — and the best way to prevent it is to constantly have a fully stocked bag. This way, I feel confident and ready to start my day from the moment I leave my dorm room in the morning.

Be ready for anything.