21 Backpack Essentials for High School - Ultimate Guide

Are you wondering what to bring in your backpack when you are in high school? Don’t worry I’ve got you covered.

It hasn’t been too long since I finished high school , so I have a good idea on what students should bring with them to school. As a high school student, there are some essentials that you should bring to school each and everyday.

Which raises the question…

What Should I Put in My Backpack For High School?

Textbooks, a pencil case, binders and an agenda are backpack essentials that will be useful for high school. Earphones and a phone charger will definitely come in handy at some point during the school day. Don’t forget a lunch box with some snacks, lunch and a water bottle.

In this post, I share 21 helpful backpack essentials that you will need for high school including some honourable mentions and a few backpack recommendations.

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21 High School Backpack Essentials

Here are 21 backpack essentials that you will need in high school. These items will be used daily or will come in handy when you need them most.

1. Agenda

An agenda is one of the most essential items on this list. Having an agenda is a great way to stay organized and to never forget about any assignments.

Write down important exam, assignment and test dates inside your agenda as soon as you know about them.

For students that have trouble staying organized like me, use your agenda! Using my agenda was a good habit I got into in high school and used throughout college.

Recommended: Agenda (see price on Amazon)

2. Pencil Case

A pencil case will be used daily in every single class when you are in high school. In your pencil case you are going to want to have the following:

Recommended Items For Pencil Case:

This should give you a good idea of the basics that you will need in your pencil case. Some classes may require some other school supplies such as coloured pencils, a geometry set and scissors.

By having these items in your pencil case, you will be perfectly equipped for the new school year.

3. Calculator

A calculator is an important item to have in your backpack. It’s a good idea to get a good scientific calculator that will last you for years.

I got mine in high school and used it throughout college as well!

Recommended: Calculator (see over 2 ,0 0 0 p o s i t i v e reviews on Amazon)

4. Textbooks

Textbooks can be heavy so if you have access to a locker at school it’s a great idea to leave them there. When you bring your textbooks home to study remember to put them back in your school bag before going to school.

I remember that awful feeling of getting to school and remembering that I forgot my textbook at home. A good way to stop this from happening, is packing your backpack the night before school instead of waiting for the morning.

Make sure that you have a sturdy backpack with comfortable shoulder straps so you can be comfortable while transporting those heavy textbooks.

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6. Notebooks

Having at least one notebook in your bag will come in handy for high school. A notebook for every class is the best way to take notes, while staying organized in high school. That way, it will be easy to study from the notes that you take in class.

Some high schoolers choose to take notes on loose papers. This often leads to messy or lost notes which can be a big problem come study time.

For math classes using a graph notebook will be a lot better than a normal notebook. The cubes will keep you organized and make your life a lot easier.

Recommended: Notebooks

7. Binders

Having a binder for every class is a great idea. I would only carry the binders that I need in my backpack and keep the other ones in my locker or at home.

Binders can take up a lot of room in a backpack so it’s better not to carry them all at once.

Binders are one of the best high school essentials because you can keep notes, assignments and loose papers organized in one spot. If you’re doing some school shopping, be sure to pick up a binder for each subject.

Recommended: Binder (see price on Amazon)

8. Reusable Water bottle

A reusable water bottle is a backpack essential that you’ll use all the time. Make sure to get a good water bottle that won’t leak as you don’t want to ruin your textbooks and other important items.

Keeping a reusable water bottle is a good idea because you will be able to refill it at the water fountains in school. Having a water bottle in class will prevent you from needing to leave class to get water and missing important information.

Some students with use a plastic bottle, however using a re-usable water bottle is better for the environment and will save you money in the long run.

9. Lunch Bag

If your school doesn’t have a cafeteria, or you prefer to bring a lunch from home, you’ll need a lunch bag. A lot of people will use a plastic bag but a lunch bag or lunch box is much better.

Thermal lunch boxes will keep your food cold if you put an ice pack in it. Having a lunch, a drink and a few snacks like granola bars or trail mix will keep you full till the end of the day.

If you are eating and drinking throughout the day, you will retain much more information, have more energy and pay more attention in class.

Recommended: Lunch Bag

10. Phone Charger

Having a spare phone charger in your backpack is a great idea. After a long day of school your phone may begin to get low on battery. Having a phone charger is good so you can charger your phone when it’s about to die.

In this case of an emergency, you want your phone to be charged. Having a phone charger will 100% come in handy!

11. Laptop/iPad

If your high school allows it, a laptop or iPad is a great idea. Using a device will keep your notes super neat.

Back when I was in high school, I was one of the first students that would use a laptop. This came in handy as once I got to college, it was the norm for students to take notes on a laptop or iPad, and I was already used to it.

If you’re not sure whether to get an iPad or laptop check out this post: Should I buy an iPad or laptop?

12. Earphones / AirPods

Some teachers will allow you to listen to music while you work in class. For those times, having earphones will come in handy.

If you take the school bus having wireless earbuds is a great way to filter out the noise on your way to or way home from school.

13. Hand Sanitizer

A travel sized bottle of hand sanitizer is great to put in your backpack. Make sure you keep it in the front pocket of your backpack so you can use it whenever you need.

Hand sanitizer is the type of thing you put in your bag at the beginning of the school year, and only need to replace it every couple of months. As a high schooler, using hand sanitizer will prevent you from spreading germs and getting sick.

Recommended: Hand Sanitizer (see price on Amazon)

14. Deodorant

Having deodorant in your bag will come in handy when you need it most. Whether it’s after gym class or you forgot to put deodorant in the morning you will be happy you packed deodorant.

Nobody likes the smell of body odor, using deodorant will prevent you from smelling bad. This is one of the most important essential things that both teenage girls and guys should have in their backpack.

15. Travel Pack of Tissues

A travel pack of tissues will be useful and won’t take up much space in your bag. When cold season comes around and you need to blow your nose every couple of minutes, you will be happy you have tissues.

Recommended: Travel Pack of Tissues

16. Gum

If you forget to brush your teeth in the morning or after you eat lunch you will be happy you packed gum in your bag. Gum takes up so little room and can help you with bad breath.

Pick up a pack of gum and put it in your bag, you will be happy it’s there when you need it most. However, chewing gum is never an excuse to not brush your teeth!

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few recommendations that aren’t necessarily true backpack essentials for school, but many high school students like to have them.

17. Makeup Bag

For girls, a makeup bag is something you may want to consider bringing to high school. A makeup bag is a great way to bring small items to school. It won’t take up too much room in your bag and can be useful.

18. Feminine Hygiene Products

It’s a good idea to be prepared for that time of the month. Many girls keep some feminine hygiene products packed in their bag or backpack.

19. Toothbrush and Toothpaste

If you have braces or Invisalign, a little travel bag that holds your tooth brush, floss and toothpaste will keep you from getting food stuck in your teeth.

20. Cologne / Perfume

If you like to wear cologne or perfume keeping a little bottle in your backpack will be great.

Perfume and cologne companies will make travel sized bottles which are smaller. These bottles are great for school as they won’t take up a lot of room in your bag.

Related: Top 10 Best Cologne’s for t e e n s

21. Sunglasses

For those sunny days, you’ll be glad that you packed some sunglasses. I would pack sunglasses in my bag and when I was done wearing them I would put them back in the exact same spot. That way, every time I need sunglasses I could use them.

Backpack Recommendations

Here are some backpack recommendations for high students of all ages. When choosing a backpack, it really comes down to preference and what you plan to bring in it.

Some thing to consider when buying a backpack is if you are going to bring a computer in it, how big it is and the price. If you do plan on bringing a laptop consider getting one with a laptop sleeve so you will have plenty of room for your other school supplies.

High School Backpack Recommendations:

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Final Thoughts on 21 Backpack Essentials for High School – Ultimate Guide

If you’re starting high school, you’re going to want to know what to bring to school. In this post, we went over 21 backpack essentials for high school, as well as some great backpack recommendations.

Do you have any backpack essentials you’d recommend? Please let me know in the comments below