<p>I have a heavier than usual course load on Tusedays and Thursdays, and my back pack is very heavy. It's heavy enough that my dad has trouble holding it, and he's quite strong (5'8" and works in the fire service. I'm only 5'1" and maybe 120 lbs). Today was my first day carrying this load, and the straps are already giving out on my bag. It didn't hurt too much to carry and, while my back and shoulders are sore, they aren't too bad. My parents are wanting me to get a wheeled backpack, so I don't hurt myself. I think I will get used to the load (even with the heavy bag, I was able to walk faster than everyone on the sidewalk), and am afraid that I'll mess up my books and stuff as I walk through the mud to get around slower people on the sidewalk frequently. Plus, the only people you see with wheeled bags are "non-traditional" students. I can't leave anything that I'm carrying at home, and I have to have the books with me for class. Would a wheeled backpack be a good idea, or is their some other kind of backpack that would be better?</p>
<p>For the record, I'm a college junior and I carry a JanSport Big Student.</p>
<p>I used to think that wheeled suitcases were for wussies, until I travelled a lot more and saw how big certain airports were (ORD, ATL) and realized it was 100 times easier to get a wheeled suitcase. Do the same if you have a lot of books on certain class days. No sense in getting back problems just to worry about some mud.</p>
<p>why do you need so many books, aren't they all just notebooks. Ive never broght a textbook to class before, if you do I feel real sorry for your back.</p>
<p>Yeah, I have 2 five subject notebooks, 2 hardcover textbooks and a paperback textbook. I have to have the books, according to the professors and their syllabi. I have so many notes in math that it needs it's own notebook (I had 8 pages today, and it was only the first day!). I also have to walk quite a ways (building on far end of campus, building in middle of campus, main building on campus and back to the building on the far end.) and take lots of stairs.</p>
<p>Nope. Parking is on the exact opposite side of campus. No lockers unless you're an interior design or music major. I can't have a friend meet me and swap out books, as my classes are so close together.</p>
<p>I only use the wheely things when I travel because, as joev pointed out, the ATL airport alone is huge. I cannot use the wheely things for schooling, because I am super tall and have to crouch to use them. </p>
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Yeah, I have 2 five subject notebooks, 2 hardcover textbooks and a paperback textbook. I have to have the books, according to the professors and their syllabi. I have so many notes in math that it needs it's own notebook (I had 8 pages today, and it was only the first day!).
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<p>Okay, now I am thinking that you are a gal? If I am wrong, then you can virtually shoot me. If you are a gal, then you have more than just your school stuff. So, you have to figure out a plan or, since you are petite, you would have to buy the wheely thingy. </p>
<p>Alright. Could you put your books and your perfume and the like in a bag which would suit your frame and carry your notebooks? </p>
<p>Could you xerox your chapters out and just barely carry anything?</p>
<p>The only extras I carry are a pack of gum, a pocket pack of kleenex, one lip balm, a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer, my iPod, my Ti-84 and my cell phone. I also have a few pens/pencils/highlighters.</p>
<p>One of the classes is Math, which uses the book. The other two are education classes, which need the book for activities and such (generally spur of the moment extra credit or open book quizzes).</p>
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The only extras I carry are a pack of gum, a pocket pack of kleenex, one lip balm, a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer, my iPod, my Ti-84 and my cell phone. I also have a few pens/pencils/highlighters.
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<p>Oh, then you carry far less than I do. I am lost without my baby lotion, perfume, lip gloss, breath mints, water and healthy snacks. I understand why you need to carry your books, most especially for math.</p>
<p>However, I hope that you can work something out because of how it rains in Texas and all. I think you could get a messenger bag for your notebooks and all and carry the rest. But, then you have the rain. So, I wonder. </p>
<p>Have you checked things out at the LL Bean web site? They have some neat things. The web site called E Bags does also.</p>
<p>Look at it this way, sweetie. At least you aren't too tall to use a wheely bagpack.</p>
<p>Go to an outdoor store and get a camping backpack. As silly as it may sound, they are designed to distribute the weight so as to take a lot of the stress off your shoulders.</p>
<p>I second getting a good backpack. Have one with a waist strap and wear it correctly. (not really now on your back--it should be a little difficult to put on the straps)</p>
<p>Also, you could carry a book or two in your arms so not everything is on your back and weighing you backwards.</p>
<p>Maybe buy a men's backpack that has the straps that go across your chest and waist? They are longer/bigger than womens', and will help you support your books better.</p>
<p>DO NOT get a rolling backpack, for the love of God. They were terrible in middle school, and still are.</p>
<p>I suggest getting a couple tote bags and dividing the books/binders between them. Then you can carry one on each arm/shoulder, or one in your hand w/ one on your shoulder. It's even less dorky than a backpack, if you care about that. And they won't be so bulky. Very few girls use backpacks at my school, and only law students have rolling bags. A lot of people just carry their books. </p>
<p>Is it really that unusual to be required to have your books at all your classes? All of my teachers have made me bring all of mine. Im kind of in the same position as the OP on MW, because I have two huge textbooks, one smaller one, a spiral notebook, my rep binder, a folder, planner, and calculator. It's super heavy. I switched them into a more heavy duty bag yesterday because I was worried the straps would snap.</p>
<p>First of all, this isn't high school where kids will judge you by your backpack (lol). If your backpack is too heavy, you could SERIOUSLY hurt your back by carrying the load everyday. I highly recommend that you find some other way (roller). I'm not sure if your current pack currently has a waist strap, but that will help alot with the weight. If you feel uncomfortable/inconvenienced by the roller, get a backpack with a waist strap.</p>
<p>You could always get used to taking notes on a laptop, except for math of course. That would cut out a couple of the notebooks.</p>
<p>As a side note: I'd reccomend LL-Bean backpacks. I've had mine for a couple years and it's held up amazingly. Doesn't look as nice when I got it but it's just as strong.</p>
<p>All through highschool I had to carry a *<strong><em>load of stuff...I had that same Jansport backpack and I think the straps are kinda *</em></strong>ty. I bought a Clive backpack with real wide straps and a padded back, and started wearing it higher instead of real low, and that helped. The rolly backpacks are pretty dorky at my HS...but there are a couple kids cool enough to get away with it ;). </p>
<p>So go to ebags.com and look for some packs with decent straps that'll help distribute the weight better. </p>
<p>Backpacking packs are amazing, but IMO waaay too big.</p>
<p>I have a smaller bag from LL Bean that has a waist strap on it, so I might look at getting a larger bag from there. I do carry my bag high on my back, and I think that's why it didn't hurt too bad to carry everything. My back is a bit achy from it today, and it down right hurts when I cough (I was sick all of winter break and am still getting over it!), but it's really not that bad.</p>
<p>Oh, and 2nd to the straps being bad on the Big Student. This is the second one I've had, as the straps started coming off the first one, too!</p>