The most shallow University question I've ever thought of!

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

OK, here it is.

Starting my course on Monday and I need to know quickly:

Big bag to take the A4 folder but all my stuff a bit lost at the bottom (apart from the phone and computer, which have pockets). Stuff is: purse, keys, make-up, camera, DS (as in nintendo, not Liebling), umbrella, hairbrush and knowing my son I'll have some trains in there by the end of the day too because it doesn't seal.

OR

Small bag that holds purse, make-up, keys, palmtop, phone, camera and DS but not the folder, which is carried - but in a cloth shopping bag or just loose?

Both bags are perfectly fashionable and match my coat and hat, not to mention 95% of my outfits, but I'm still at a loss which to pick! I have the small one loaded up ready to go but it won't take long to do the big one.

I'm really torn! What do you girls think? Can I use a small bag and then I can change it to match outfits (I have a few bags this size) or do I just use the one big one?

[butterfly_warrior]

I always used one big bag that took everything... It was a back pack, which made things easier for jumping on and off trains and buses so I always had my hands free. Wasn't exactly fashionable and probably matched none of my outfits but it was convenient. Perhaps I'm not the best person to ask...

BW

[AngelPunks]

big bag but put your "smaller" things that get lost into a smaller bag inside.

When I'm at uni, I've got my stuff in my backpack, my work stuff in my briefcase and have a small handbag for the essentials which then gets shoved into either my briefcase or backpack depending on where exactly I'm heading.

[Mother Goose]

I agree with the big bag with a smaller one inside for things that might get lost in the depths of the bag... if you go to the library and borrow out books or get handouts, you really want somewhere to shove them and it sounds like your little bag may not cut it...

Have fun going back to Uni!

MG

[Phteven]

The big bag so that you have hands free if you need them for DS (not the nintendo)

[ladybird]

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!

[briggsy's girl]

i would be going two bags, even if the smaller gets thrown in the larger one for convenience... if you're not keen on taking two bags, maybe go and buy one of the folders that has everything in it (pen holders, disk space) that seals up with velcro or something - i used them for labs at uni all the time - could cart everything without needing to have a huge bag (or carry folder, have lab coat, books etc in bag) - but i lived on campus so only a few minutes walk to swap things over - didn't always need a full day of stuff with me...

[SJL]

I am starting uni classes tomorrow too. I am going to be using one big back pack so I dont loose anything. It it all in one place and only one bag to remember to pick up.
Mine has two pockets. One for folder, pens, etc and the other for my purse, phone, etc.
Haveing the tow pockets makes it easier to seperate studies stuff and personal stuff and easier to find what you need with out makeing heaps of noise in the class room.

Maybe it's just me, but I never get the matching bag with clothes??? as long as it serves the purpose you need it for with out damaging your back which carrying around heavy books will do, then what does it matter if it is a wrong colour or pattern???

Good luck with your studies.

[sloane]

i always used just one bag for uni, found it much easier to have my hands free. but i know what you mean about losing things at the bottom so i used a bag with a zip pocket that i could put all those sorts of loose things in.

good luck with your studies

[Ryatha]

I just had a big backpack that was my DH's. It had one big pocket for the books, jumpers and folders, a smaller one in which my purse, phone etc when in and then a smaller one with pens etc. I found as the year progessed I took less and less with me as I just didn't need it.

Since I was combining Uni and Work, I was lucky that the bag was neutral and it went with my office wear that I wore to work. I tried my laptop bag that was much more 'classy' but it really hurt my shoulders and so I gave up on that and went back to the comfy backpack.

Try out both bags with full weights and work out which is most comfy - it may help in the long run!

[Lolli]

Personally, I always went the smaller bag and carrying the folder. Mainly beacuse it made me feel a bit more fashion- in that American college, carrying a stack of books kinda way.

A pain in the bum? Totally. But it does indeed look very cool.