Backpack recommendations for nursing student

[metfan]

I hope this is appropriate to ask in this forum. I am starting LPN school in September. The school is about a mile from my house. I will be biking or walking most days. I need a good backpack or messenger bag. I don't mind paying for an expensive one. It needs to be waterproof. Rain and snow will not stop me from getting to school. I imagine it will need to be big. I hear there are alot of books involved. I am just learning how to ride a bike so I can ride to school. I guess it would need to fit securly on my back. Any advice? Would a messenger bag be better? They seem to have more room. Thanks. Colleen

[kmarie724]

I just got a really nice backpack from L.L. Bean. It has a pocket for my laptop, a cell phone holder on the shoulder strap, water bottle holder, a small compartment for pens/pencils, and even a little compartment for an ipod or CD player with a hole for the headphone cord to go through so you can listen to it while wearing the backpack. Last year I used a messenger bag. It worked okay because I only had one class a day (I'm going part-time) and I didn't usually need to bring my textbook. But, the days I did need to bring my book, my shoulder would hurt so bad. A backpack with two straps is much easier to carry.

[NaomieRN]

One with wheels is the best way to go as others have stated. I had one while I was taking A&P, it is great when carrying heavy books.