A laptop. A water bottle. A notebook. And, in one Columbia student’s backpack, a set of D&D dice.
What students carry to class can say as much about them as what they study. The Chronicle asked students to empty their bags and share the everyday essentials, sentimental keepsakes and unexpected items they carry around campus.
Junior film and television major Khiron Jenkins was working on assignments in the Student Center at 754 S Wabash Ave. when he gave a peek into his everyday essentials.
His grey backpack held typical school supplies, like a Macbook and a notebook for classwork, a water bottle and an umbrella. Jenkins also carried an additional phone.
“I got a new phone for my birthday, and I thought ‘why have one phone with limited storage when I can have two?’” Jenkins said.
But the extra phone wasn’t the only thing Jenkins had packed away. His backpack also held a few items that gave a glimpse into what he’s into outside of class.
“I have D&D dice because I’m a part of the club here,” said Jenkins. “I’m actually texting the dungeon master right now. They’re asking me about character creations.”
Returning to her dorm after class, junior theatre arts production and practice major Lucy Mandlowitz shared that she uses her bag as more of a purse than a bag with school supplies.
Her green Fjällräven Kånken bag held typical everyday items alongside some sentimental memorabilia from her parents, one of which has passed.
She also kept some heartwarming keepsakes from her late father.
“I keep my dad’s ID in my bag,” said Mandlowitz. “My mom gave it to me after he passed.”
Alongside the ID, she carried stickers with her late father’s nickname “wavy” on them to give out to friends and to post around the city.
Mandlowitz also carries a harmonica gifted to her from her mother in her bag at all times, which she said has surprisingly come into use multiple times.
Senior illustration major Lena Ransburg was taking a lunch break at the Student Center, when she shared her more minimalist set of supplies as someone who primarily works digitally.
She kept an iPad and Apple pencil for her illustration coursework.
“I take three illustration classes, and I use procreate,” Ransburg said. “I also use it for Canvas, and I use Notion to take notes.”
Aside from that, Ransburg only carried a pencil case, a notebook, a journal, and her student ID.
Senior musical theater major Paris Ward merged her everyday purse with her college bag to minimize her load as a commuter student.
Ward kept standard college supplies such as a laptop and table along with stationary materials in addition to recreational items like a portable speaker, LED light and a selfie stick.
She also made sure to keep self defense items with her keys as someone who uses public transportation on the daily.
“My mom always said it’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it,” said Ward.
First year fashion studies major Viviana Nunez stopped by Frannie’s Cafe at the Student Center to eat lunch. Her bag had seven compartments that neatly organized her daily needs and supplies. In a larger pocket she held her laptop and notebooks for her coursework, and in the side pockets she carried necessities like her wallet and keys.
“I keep the stuff just for me, like makeup and hygiene items in my front compartment,” said Nunez.
Larianna Ward, a first year acting for stage and screen major, kept daily needs for class along with a few sentimental items of her family and an old friend.
“I have a Macbook neo, which was way too much money, a notebook and pens because I hate pencils,” said Ward.
She also carried a digital camera to capture photos of the city, and a polaroid picture of her and her younger brother.
“We went to SummerFest in Wisconsin, and it was really fun,” said Ward. “I always keep this picture on me.”
Ward also held on to a love letter she wrote to her ex but never sent. “I thought maybe I should talk about how I feel, so I just let it out into a letter.”
Copy edited by Camila Verzino
