I will be a freshman at Purdue. What type of backpacks do people there use?

Question

I am thinking a Northface, Wenger, or Jansport, but any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

Answer 1

I am also going to university this fall.  I will be living on campus in a dorm and no one there uses backpacks.  As the dorms are within a ten minute walk from every classroom, I just grab a binder and textbook and head to class.  I run back to my room and pick up the binder for the next class so I never have more than one binder with me.  If you live off campus you would need to bring at least two binders with textbooks.  I have always used Roots back packs as they are well made and well thought out so that the size and pockets are better than other brands.

Answer 2

I went straight through for my Master's degree at Purdue. I spent 6 years living and working in the residence halls while going to school there. I would say that a majority of the students use backpacks, as it gets quite time consuming and ineffective to always run back to the dorms.  I don't know if there are any particular favorites as far as backpacks are concerned, but the one piece of advice I would give is to avoid buying one at the local bookstore.

The bookstores are expensive on everything. So look to Wal-Mart, online, a local sporting goods store, or an off brand discount retailer like Value City for a good inexpensive and sturdy backpack. Also look online for books or into sharing a book(s0 with a friend/classmate to cut down on costs.

Some other helpful tips: utilize the bus during the winter, if there is no AC in your hall take a window fan and a floor fan, build a loft to utilize space, get to know the guys/girls on your floor, get involved in a club/organization, join a frat/sorority (Purdue has a large Greek community), attend football games, don't drink in the dorms (find upperclassman with apts close to campus), don't drink during the week (study, study, study), avoid studying on Friday and Saturday nights to avoid burnout (except right before finals), remember to cut through the Union and Stewart Center during the winter, also remember generic brand foods are your friend, and finally keep some spices on hand to make the microwavable noodles edible.

Hope this helps and best of luck, BTFU, lol.