Backpacks: They Are Packing Your Back
Picture a backpack in your head. Maybe one that you use for travels. It’s likely empty, pristine, and fresh. Now, picture a school backpack. There’s a good chance what you imagined was heavy and full, with so much jammed in a tight space.
We’ve seen these backpacks everywhere: in schools, in rooms, and in hallways. It has pretty much become a stereotype. All of us have probably noticed it, joked around about it, but how many have thought of it as an actual concern? Such an inordinate amount of weight certainty is not good for our backs or shoulders. Furthermore, prolonged excess of items can accelerate damage to your folders and notebooks by having them rub and crowd together, making them more susceptible to decay and tears.
To reduce the weight, we first need to identify what’s causing this weight. Papers, notebooks, folders, textbooks, and other supplies pile up. The more classes one takes, the more these supplies will appear in greater amounts. Because it wouldn’t be exactly plausible, or recommended, to simply reduce the number of classes just for this sake, though that works, we rely on organization.
The chance there are items in your backpack that you don’t need is almost 100%. So, focus on only having the necessities. The best way? Look at your folders. Do you really need 500 papers in one folder on that given day? Probably not. Only keep the papers needed, and remove the rest, which is likely the vast majority. Try using online versions of textbooks or ask if bringing your textbook is necessary, because they probably aren’t. Next, some classes simply don’t need notebooks, or don’t use them everyday. Thus, don’t go stuffing them in for every subject. Remove those that are never or rarely ever used. If they end up in use, you can always utilize scrap paper and transfer them to the notebook later. Same goes with folders. Finally, we all carry snacks with us and forget about the wrappers. Removing the scraps may seem insignificant, but they do reduce the weight, and makes your backpack cleaner.
Now you may be wondering why not use a roller backpack? Well because it wouldn’t make sense to roll that thing around in the hallways with all those people and stairs. Plus, the straps on those backpacks, if too heavy, can literally break.
So, what’s the idea here? Next time you’re on your way out for school, just pause, and think about what’s exactly inside your backpack.
