rolling book bag/packpack

rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jul 20, 2014

Many of my classmates went to Wal Mart and purchased a carry on suitcase that seemed to work really well. I wish I got one, but I was super cheap and didn't want to spend 35.00 when I could use one of my son's old back packs. All of those books were heavy and I had no where to keep snacks. I think the brand that was purchased was made by Jeep or labeled Jeep. It was the size of around 3 standard brief-cases stacked with a handle and wheels.

toadblossom · Jul 20, 2014

Look at your class schedule and try to figure out what you need to carry at one time. If you have 2-3 classes back to back, have

alot of stairs to climb, can't go back to your car etc. That usually determines how I carry my books/equipment. Do I need to cart

around a laptop, etc. In the classroom, or lab how much space do you have to put your supplies/books??? For lecture we had very

small desks with almost no room underneath. I have a large, backpack with a laptop sleeve, and a large wheeled tote... which I carry around depends on my classload that day.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 20, 2014

The suitcases were a nuisance in my classroom. No room to store and always in the way. For LPN we were in one classroom occasionally crossing the hall for the second skills lab. There were two class sections and my class had a large classroom with the lab on one side classroom on the other. We had one subject in AM (med/surg, funds, A&P, pharm, nutrition, nursing process, etc) and the other in PM so if you wanted you could run to your car on lunch hour and swap out books. Laptops were not helpful and discouraged as no student wifi. There was a computer lab available with printers as needed (by the time my class started we had a printing limit unless you brought your own paper as previous classes abused the privilege)

SeattleJess · Jul 20, 2014

I was fortunate enough to find a sale at JC Penney. I bought a Samsonite fabric carryon bag (with roller wheels) - a $250 bag on sale for $99. There were hard-shell ones on sale, too, but the one I bought had a nice, soft, padded strap for hand carrying. I'll be lugging my textbooks and supplies on a long bus ride and then walking across the entire length of campus from the bus stop to the nursing school. My past experience with backpacks on the bus is that they can be unwieldy. Hopefully, the carryon bag will fit under the seat. I hope it wears well; I was really torn between fabric and hardshell.

Rob3545's $35 WalMart bag sounds like a terrific deal! Just think of all the ramen noodle lunches I could have bought with the extra dough. Not to mention the Vietnamese garlic-chili sauce to make them palatable.

SeattleJess · Jul 20, 2014

The suitcases were a nuisance in my classroom. No room to store and always in the way.

OMG, I hadn't thought at all about storage! We had orientation in an auditorium/classroom with plenty of room for a small piece of luggage but it never occurred to me to think I might be in a cramped and crowded classroom or worse, lab. I better get some more info from the school about student storage options. (Lockers were available for rent at my other colleges.) Thanks, Beachy!

:nailbiting:

Miss.LeoRN · Jul 20, 2014

I assume you know what your campus is like? You know the classrooms fairly well? That would be my first thing is how do other students who have roller bags get by with them? Does it seem cumbersome or with a lack of space or room to move? Some of my classrooms have long tables, and others the usual mini desk chair in rows. In either of them there is plenty of space for people to stow/stash their bags (because a regular bookbag can be just as cumbersome as a roller one) away. A lot of people simply don't. Also if you sit on the outside row/wall row or usually right in front then where to put it isn't an issue. As far as labs, there's usually plenty of space under the lab bench, or there are tables or places to put bags so they are not in the way.

All that said, I absolutely love my roller bag! It's amazing. It was a bit pricy, I paid around $45 for it, but I do seriously love it. It saved my back very much last semester between Micro and A&P books, lab books, notebooks... wow. It was a lot. For me there was no different in carrying a bookbag vs. a roller one aside from the lack of shoulder and back pain from slinging the non-roller over my shoulder. They took up the same amount of space.. stairs were a trip but it wasn't too bad and at my campus everyone has hold-the-door manners. I did tho, get a roller book bag, not a roller luggage bag. I think that would be just too big unless it's one of those small kids carry on's but then you lack all the little pockets and holders that an actual book bag has.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 20, 2014

Jansport Driver 8 works well for me. I hate moving things from bag to bag so I just keep everything there, that way I know where it is. Only time I used a tote was this summer in psych nursing when I just had one book.

efda2rn · Jul 20, 2014

Amazon.com : High Sierra Freewheel Backpack, Black/Purple Razz Mystic, 20.5 x 13.5 x 8-Inch : Sports & Outdoors

This is what I've been using for over a year. Sturdy and has saved my back when lugging around all my books! I fully intend on using it when I start nursing school this fall.

Jenniferocious · Jul 21, 2014

I live where it snows... So pulling that thing through the snow would not work. I bought a super sturdy backpack from Office Max ... I think the name is Swiss? Something... But it has a ton of room for all of my books. Just keep in mind about the stairs, snow and lack of space.

Grace_ · Jul 21, 2014

I just purchased this one based on reviews from two of my classmates. I went to ebags.com and and used a 10% off coupon and free shipping which was a pretty nice deal. I can't wait to get it.

NurseYomi · Jul 21, 2014

I bought a normal Eastsports backpack today, and I start school in August as well! I'm hoping it will suffice!