Backpack for school

I use a rolling scrap book suitcase-type thing from Hobby Lobby. They're about $80 but well worth it. Holds most of my books and all school supplies!

I have the Wenger/SwissGear Synergy and I love it. It has a really well padded laptop slot, tons of compartments for stuff, and it can hold enough books to make you fall over backwards. Plus it's really comfortable considering how much stuff I put in there. If you need to carry more books than this thing can hold, I would strongly suggest you save your back and get a rolling one.

note: this one hold up to a 15.4" laptop, they also make a bigger version, the Ibex, for 17" laptops..

I have a messenger type bag I got at the px, its a great bag but it has a submariners logo on it and everyone asks if Im in the navy. I only got it because it was on sale for like $20.

The first semester, most of us bought a suitcase on wheels to carry the 10-20 pounds of books to class. By the end we had cut it down to only the books we needed to bring and a simple backpack will do. Here is what I would do if I was going to start over again. First, if I could get my books on an Ipad (kindle doesn't work because you need color pictures), I would save my back and spend the cash. But most of the nursing books are not in electronic format (Ivans, Lewis or Brunner). I know this is going to sound crazy but take the binding off your large Med/Surg book (s), go to kinko or other print shops and make each chapter into its own little book . Yes it going to cost more money but you will have a healthier back when you go look for a job. Take the chapters that you will need for the day and leave the rest at home. Sounds crazy right? But you say "I cannot sell them back or I want to keep my books for reference in the future!" By the time you are out of school the books are going to be worth a 10th of what you paid for them. The Med/Surg book I have was $180 when I started school, I can now buy it for $10 on Amazon. It going to cost more to ship the things. Hopefully by the time your out of school most of these books will be available on an Ipad like device and you can rebuy them in a compact searchable format.

I thought about doing that. I didn't know what would be available on Ipad, and don't want to spend the $500 for only a few books. Plus I like the feel of a book in my hand. Never got into the ereader deal. I do have an Iphone and imagine I will be using reference apps as soon as I know what to do with them :)

I do like your idea of separating chapters and binding them. I will hold onto most of my books for ref... but I see nothing wrong with combining like materials into binders when I am finished with them for school. I am all about easy access to information.

I have used hurley rhythm laptop back pack..its good for lap top and other stuff

I use an Olympia rolling shopper tote from Amazon.com. Several of my classmates have them as well and it works great for our ton of stuff.

There are also several people who use actual luggage.

I use a messenger bag from LLBean. I don't remember exactly how much it cost, but I am thinking somewhere around $65. It holds a ton of stuff. I have fit both volumes of my MedSurg textbook, my Maternity textbook, 2 five star binders, an agenda, drug book and two separate pencil bags - that is just in the main compartment. The greatest thing about LLBean is their return policy. You can return or exchange their products at any time. YES, even if you decide you just want something new. You go on the website and pick something new you want. They will send you the new product in a box with a return label and you stick you product in that box and ship it back to them. You can also print a shipping label off the website if you are only interested in a refund. I would recommend LLBean bookbags to anyone 100% of the time.

TIP: Ask your teachers if you are actually going to need your books in class. It has been my experience that most instructors don't actually use the book in class; they use powerpoints, handouts and videos and reference the text. I graduate in June and my back would be a little less sore if someone would have told me that 2 years ago. :)

Good luck with school. It's tough, but so rewarding!!

Thanks for all the tips! I am still not sure what I am going to get but am going to begin shopping soon and will definitely keep all of these in mind.

I broke down and bought a rolling scrapbooking bag. It is more than large enough to carry what I need with me and keep me organized with all the compartments and pockets.

Most of my instructors use powerpoints for lecture but then read directly from the book for their lectures so I end up with my textbook for that class, my case studies book, my review and rationales book, the NCLEX Review book that I am currently working out of, as well as my notebook that has all my powerpoints (since we are not allowed to bring our laptops to class), and my spiral that I use for my notes.

For 3/4 of this school year I used this cute puma backpack, but it tore. I guess the it couldn't keep up with my book load :)

did I mention I'm a prenursing student? since ill start nursing school in the fall, I bought a camping backpack my friend suggested to test out

It's great! Since it was made for camping there is tons of room and pockets everywhere! Shoulder straps are very comfortable and there are extra cushions on the back so you dont feel the hardness of textbooks you are carrying (i hope this makes sence).

You can check it out right here

http://www.campingsurvival.com/ouprmodaypa.html

The price listed is $35, I got mine in Marshalls for $20, but I drove to a couple stores since I heard that those backpacks sell fast.

hope this helps!

I am in need of the exact same thing, I start my clinicals next month and have a ton of books. I will for sure check out your website! Does anyone else know of anywhere online to buy the roll along bags such as a scrap booking bag (not a duffel) preferably under $50?