14 Things No College Student Should Forget to Pack in the Morning

Mornings in college can feel like a chaotic reality show: it’s you vs. your alarm clock, the weather, and the mysterious disappearance of your left shoe. 

One minute you’re half-asleep scrolling through Instagram, and the next you’re sprinting across campus like you’re auditioning for the track team.

In the mad dash to get to class, it’s dangerously easy to forget the little things—the essentials that make your day 10x better, smoother, or at least less of a total disaster. You don’t want to be that person showing up to lecture sweaty, thirsty, and with nothing but vibes in your backpack.

So, to save you from unnecessary struggles, here’s your no-excuses checklist of morning must-haves. 

1. Your Student ID

Your student ID is basically the skeleton key of campus life. Without it, you can’t swipe into the library, print papers, or—most importantly—score that sweet student discount on coffee and bagels. 

Forgetting it means you’ll spend the day awkwardly asking friends to swipe you into places or paying full price like a lost tourist. 

Pro tip: keep your ID in a lanyard or cardholder attached to your backpack so it never goes missing during the morning chaos.

2. Reusable Water Bottle

Hydration = brain function. Seriously. College lectures are long, dorm rooms are dry, and walking across campus in the sun will make you feel like a shriveled raisin without one. 

A reusable water bottle saves you money (no overpriced vending machine drinks) and is eco-friendly. 

Bonus: professors rarely mind if you quietly sip water during class, so you can stay focused without feeling like you’re crossing the Sahara.

3. Mini Notebook & Pen

Yes, you’ve got your laptop, but hear me out: laptops die, Wi-Fi crashes, and sometimes your best ideas come when you’re walking between classes. 

A mini notebook and pen let you jot down quick notes, sudden strokes of genius, or even doodles during a boring lecture. 

Professors also love students who still take notes by hand—it screams “prepared and engaged” even if your doodle of a cat is taking up half the page.

4. Chargers (Phone & Laptop)

Murphy’s Law of college: your laptop will die right when you need it most. Whether it’s during an important presentation, a last-minute assignment, or the exact moment your professor says, “Let’s all pull up the slides,” you’ll regret not having your charger. 

Same goes for your phone—nothing kills the vibe faster than a dead battery mid-Spotify playlist or when you’re trying to use Google Maps to find your way to that off-campus internship interview.

5. Lip Balm

Lecture halls are basically deserts with Wi-Fi. The dry air conditioning will have your lips peeling like old wallpaper before your 9 AM class is even halfway over. 

A simple lip balm can save the day, keep you comfortable, and maybe even give you that extra confidence boost if you run into your campus crush on the quad.

6. Hand Cream

This one sounds extra, but trust me—it’s worth it. Between constant handwashing (hello, flu season), sanitizers, and cold weather, your hands will feel like sandpaper if you don’t give them some love. 

A small tube of hand cream takes up almost no space but will keep you from looking and feeling like you’ve been living in a cave. 

Bonus: soft hands make you feel more “put-together,” even if you totally forgot to brush your hair.

7. Mini Deodorant or Body Mist

You’d be surprised how quickly a morning rush across campus can turn into a sweat session. Add in group projects, gym classes, or just sitting in a hot, crowded lecture hall, and you’ll be grateful to have a mini deodorant or body mist in your bag. 

It’s not about masking smells—it’s about feeling fresh and confident all day long. Your classmates (and group project partners) will silently thank you.

8. Sunscreen

Yes, even on cloudy days. Yes, even if you’re only walking across campus. No, you’re not too young. Sun damage adds up quickly, and future-you will thank you for not looking like a dried apricot at 40. 

Slip a small sunscreen stick or travel-size bottle into your bag so you’re never caught off guard. Consider it an investment in both your skin and your future Instagram-worthy selfies.

9. Compact Mirror

It’s not just for checking makeup. A compact mirror comes in handy for fixing smudged mascara, checking for food in your teeth after lunch, or making sure your hair tie hasn’t created a weird bump on the back of your head. 

Plus, it saves you from awkwardly using your phone camera like a mirror in public.

10. Tissues

Tiny but mighty. Tissues are clutch for surprise sneezes, spilled coffee, or those tearful moments when your professor says, “This will be on the exam.” 

They also save you from having to use your sleeve (gross) or running to the bathroom every five minutes. 

Pro tip: Travel packs are super cheap—keep one in every bag.

11. Snacks

No one thrives while hangry. Pack granola bars, trail mix, fruit, or even a sneaky pack of crackers. Having snacks on hand means you’ll avoid overpriced vending machines and keep your brain fueled for back-to-back classes. 

Trust me, your stomach growling in a silent lecture hall will be far more distracting than the professor’s monotone voice.

12. Headphones

A must-have for survival. Headphones let you block out noisy roommates, tune out chatter on the bus, or listen to study playlists in the library. 

They’re also the universal “do not disturb” sign—perfect for avoiding awkward small talk with that one overly chatty classmate who always sits next to you.

13. Hair Essentials

Scrunchies, hair ties, or a headband—whatever works for you. That “cute hair down” look rarely survives more than one lecture or a breezy walk across campus. 

Having a backup means you won’t spend the rest of the day fighting your hair instead of focusing on class. Keep a spare tucked in your bag, wallet, or even looped on your water bottle.

14. Mini Stationery Kit

We all know “that person” who always asks, “Does anyone have a spare pen?” Don’t be that person. 

A mini stationery kit with an extra pen, highlighter, and maybe some sticky notes ensures you’re always prepared. Bonus points if you bring extras—instant new friend material.

Bonus Tip for the Overachievers: The Go Bag

Want to really level up? Create a “go bag” filled with travel-size versions of these essentials. Toss it in your backpack each morning and forget the scramble of packing last-minute. It’s like having your own personal survival kit that future-you will be endlessly grateful for.

Pack Lightly but Efficiently

Packing smart in the morning isn’t about overstuffing your backpack; it’s about curating a set of small but mighty essentials. 

The right mix of skincare, stationery, and sanity-saving extras can turn a “meh” day into one where you’re prepared for anything—from surprise pop quizzes to spontaneous coffee dates.

So tomorrow morning, before you bolt out the door like you’re in an Olympic event called “Late to Lecture,” check your bag. 

Because if you don’t, chances are you’ll regret it by noon. And trust me, your hydrated, well-moisturized, fully-charged self will thank you.

Wishing you peace and funds,

Dee