<p>im a girl...and i havent used a backpack since the middle ages</p>
<p>would a tote work ok? or do u guys find urselves having to carry a ton of stuff with you?</p>
<p>im thinking that for me a tote will be ok bc my dorms not even 5 mins from the quad, where all my classes will be...not to mention that i have lots of time inbetween my classes as well...</p>
<p>what are your thoughts?</p>
<p>I've used my purse (which is admittedly ginormous) since forever. It works just fine. Can even carry my laptop if im careful with it. </p>
<p>A tote should be fine, especially if you're close to class (we have to walk lots at my school..hills, stairs, etc... and it's still fine).</p>
<p>You'll be fine with a tote. I carry far less to class in college than I did in high school. I usually just grab my notebook and a pencil. You rarely need books, and never (in my experience) a giant textbook, so it should be very manageable.</p>
<p>students dont bring books to class, right? that's for ur own reading...otherwise its listening and note taking in class, correcT?</p>
<p>Eh sometimes I bring books to class but not always and not to all classes. I just carry them.</p>
<p>If your class is discussing something you read, you might want the book to reference a specific passage when making a point, or to find the reference being made by a classmate. I've sometimes needed to have a math book in class, and I bring my computer everywhere, so I like having a book bag. YMMV.</p>
<p>I haven't used a backpack since middle school, but I got one for college for these reasons: </p>
<p>I am going to use my new MacBook to take notes, and my backpack has a laptop carrying case.</p>
<p>Since the dorm rooms are small and dark, I'm planning on using the library and other areas to study. I don't want to have to go all the way back to my dorm room to get textbooks if I want to study between classes. For example, between my 9am biology and 11am philosophy, I can spend an hour in the quad (a central location, unlike my room) studying the biology and philosophy stuff I stuck in my backpack the night before.</p>
<p>I guess I could use a tote to carry that stuff, but a backpack is much easier on your back. A tote weighs down your shoulder and/or arm, especially if you are walking across campus. Even if the walk is short, carrying a heavy tote can get annoying.</p>
<p>This might sound nerdy but I like the organizational system of a backpack. I'm really disorganized, so with a tote I become somewhat bohemian (read: bag lady). A backpack with pockets and sections forces me to keep organized, when in turn keeps me focused.</p>
<p>Hopefully these points will help someone decide whether to get a backpack.</p>
<p>totes work very well, just dont try to ride a bike and carry one at the same time!</p>
<p>I've been using totes and purses since the 8th grade and have no intention of switching.</p>
<p>If you're going to be carrying your laptop, just get a bigger one and buy yourself a laptop sleeve. You probably won't be carrying around books and binders all the time, so a tote is great for a notebook or two and your essentials.</p>