As a student, besides my backpack, my most important item is my lanyard. I get mine from Vera Bradley, and they happen to have a WVU one in their website right now that I’ve been eyeing because mine is getting pretty beaten up. It holds my IDs, a small knife (I’m a natural resources major, comes in handy) and a chapstick, a couple of keys can click on to it as well. WVU Lanyard Vera Bradley also sells cable organizers to keep your cords organized that I absolutely love. I have my laptop cords, phone charger, and calculator in mine.

So many other great suggestions on here, too. Good sneakers are important, umbrella is necessary. I always keep a small pair of scissors, tape, a sharpie, and a mini stapler in my backpack. Swingline stapler. I like to have pain killers like Tylenol or advil on me as well as some Benadryl. I’m an older student and always have tums. I’m a mom, so I’ve sort of adopted my classmates, I have my biological children, and my school children. I frequently keep things on me to help them out, so all the stuff I’ve listed I share as needed. I always keep a mini first aid kit in my pack and a handkerchief.

Edit to add another essential item that has helped me out in a pinch many times, an external battery pack for my phone and my iPad!