How to Organize a School Backpack

Rodents with organized backpacks

Backpacks are a godsend when it comes to carting books, papers and school supplies throughout your day. But they can easily become a nightmare if they are a mashed-up, jumbled mess. You can organize a school backpack, and keep it that way, by using common sense and a few simple steps. Read more to learn how to make your school day heavenly.

Things You'll Need

• Backpack
• Zippered pouch or pencil box

Instructions

1. Place all contents in front of you. This should give you an array of notebooks, text books, folders, writing instruments and anything else you are going to need to put in your backpack.

2. Set aside any loose pens, pencils, rules, erasers and other objects that do not stack up neatly. Place loose items into the side pockets of your backpack. If these do not fit, place the items in a pencil box or small zip-lock bag. You may also purchase a pencil holder bag at a school supply store or use a cosmetic travel bag for the items.

3. Put frequently needed items in their own pile. Here’s where you place your hairbrush, class schedule, locker combination card, favorite pen and any other items you will be needed several times throughout the day. These items should be placed in the front pocket of your backpack, or in a small zip-lock bag.

4. Pile all the notebooks and folders in one stack, textbooks in another. Size matters. You want the flattest, biggest items to be flush against your back. Each size should have its own pile. For instance, large folders will form one pile, spiral notebooks a second, large text books a third and smaller books, like paperbacks, a fourth.

5. Arrange each pile in chronological order. If you have math class followed by English, Chemistry and then Cultural Studies, order the math notebook, respective folder and textbook at the top of the heap. Follow with the next class and so on.

6. Fill the main compartment of your backpack. Place the folders and other larger, flat items flush against the back of the pack. Follow with the appropriate notebooks and textbooks. Finish off with the smallest books in the front of the pack. Place your water bottle, pencil packs and other small items in the front on either side of the small books.

Tips & Warnings

• As you go throughout your day, rotate your notebooks and texts to keep them in chronological order. Once you’re finished with math class, move its notebook to the back of the notebook pile so the notebook on top is for the next class.

• Shoes, clothes or other random items can be kept near the front of the backpack, again placed on either side of the smallest books.

• Laptop computers should fit nicely between the folders and notebooks.

• Keep the books and larger items flush against the bottom of the backpack for optimum comfort.

• If all your items do not fit neatly inside the backpack, you either need to arrange them more strategically or get a bigger backpack.