hi Rosehip,

I would have a practise with both, practise taking things out and finding things in bags etc. I would be extra cautious of how easily something might fall out while you're looking for pen etc. Knowing the crowds, noise and nerves its easy not to notice say your wallet falling out while trapped in between folder pages. Unfortunately thieves are well and truly out there at unis. The separate bags sounds easier to me, bulkier maybe but things have own place, plus you can have a dedicated uni bag that things could stay in and if you needed something you know exactly were to look. If its just a folder and pens etc it shouldn't be too bulky and certainly wouldn't be unusual.
Sori to go on, caught me on my first coffee of the day!