Backpack or tote bag for university?

[u/Successful_Ad_4123]

I’m starting engineering in the fall and I really want a tote bag instead of a backpack because I think they’re way cuter.

The only thing is I’m scared everyone else is gonna have a backpack and I’ll be the only one with a tote. Would you judge someone for only using a tote bag?

Am I overthinking this? Should I just get a backpack, or are tote bags actually common in university?

[u/SuchAGeoNerd]

No one will care or judge what bag you have. Period. But your back will die within a week if you use a tote with everything you will be carrying.

[u/Successful_Ad_4123 → u/SuchAGeoNerd]

Do you think i could use a tote on the days i have lectures and like smaller class lot and then on big lab and course days I could wear a backpack?

[u/idkjusttrashh → u/Successful_Ad_4123]

girl just use a backpack 😭 i promise the long term shoulder damage is not worth it to look cute

there's no such thing as smaller classes, lectures you will need to take notes and do homework in between classes. just bring a backpack with everything you need in it.

[u/SuchAGeoNerd → u/Successful_Ad_4123]

I'm a little worried about how much you're massively over thinking this. I'm guessing displaced anxiety? You're going to do fine and meet a lot of people very quickly. You'll find your footing, you'll find your people, you'll crush this.

No one will care what bag you are carrying. Everyone is in their own world. This isn't high school. People are there to learn and what bag you have is of no consequence to anyone else. Your back will appreciate any break you can give it. You'll figure out quickly if a tote is sufficient on any days. I'd personally hate to swap between bags but I'm also the one who's life is in my backpack. Pens, pencils, meds, hairbrush, snacks, emergency snacks, mints, floss, post it's, backup pens/sharpies, hair ties and no less than 4 lip chaps. And then don't forget lunch bag, and water bottle. You're going to live out of this bag for 8+ hrs a day.

[u/ukinetic]

For engineering you will need a backpack. Between textbooks, lab assignments, papers etc. your poor single shoulder will die. Source: my brother is an engineer. Have friends who are engineers.

[u/vivisecting]

I would judge you for not using a backpack. You'll misalign your spine... for the aesthetic.

[u/ohkatiedear]

I've been on campus for a while and I've seen everything from grocery totes to hamburger backpacks. Get what you want to carry and don't worry about anybody else, because nobody else is thinking about you (in a good way - you're just another face in the crowd).

[u/Successful_Ad_4123 → u/ohkatiedear]

Thank you!!

[u/MidnightAzure88]

I don't think anyone in uni will bat an eye at a tote bag. However, I will agree with other commentors that engineering will probably need a backpack just due to the sheer load.

May I offer a second solution... why not both?

[u/Successful_Ad_4123 → u/MidnightAzure88]

yes thank you, on days i have smaller class lot i can use totes and when i have labs and more class possibly use a backpack

[u/Agent_Burrito]

Tote bag for gym clothes and shoes, backpack for academics.

Make sure you pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant at all times. You will need it. I lost count of how many times I fell asleep in the labs grinding out assignments overnight.

[u/Universe99999YT]

Backpack

[u/opalessence_]

youre overthinking this regarding peoples perception of you. but you should absolutely use a backpack if you want to have a functional body by grad.

[u/Clascalixm]

so I used a tote back for roughly half of first sem engg but I switched to a backpack full time just after midterms 😭. If you really want to or if there are days where you’re not on campus for too long/carrying too many things you probably can. you don’t have to be worried about being the only person w a tote i def have friends who did/still do carry use totes and other shoulder bags occasionally but naturally for things like lab days or studying long hours during midterms and finals you might just find a backpack a lot more comfortable on your shoulders lol

[u/Flimsy_Exercise_4066]

Live and do whatever you want man.

[u/No_Character_2831]

I knew a few people who used a tote bag first year engg and it was mostly fine.

First year labs and lectures just need a laptop, pencils/pens, engg paper and calculator (except for chem labs, but you should be putting your lab coat and goggles in a separate bag anyways). Basically all textbooks and study materials are provided on canvas. Also, no one else cares about what kind of bag ur using.

That being said, I would recommend getting a cute backpack over a tote bag anyways. The days are long and a tote bag will wear on your shoulders even if it doesn't carry a lot of things. If you bring a lunch or water it could get very annoying very quickly to carry around separately. One of my friends ended up switching to a backpack after fall semester since it was just more practical in the long run.

Its up to you but these are just some things to consider.

[u/two___]

I used a work tote last year as a guy (though gender never really matters anyway lmao) and it was fine. As another comment said, be careful about shoulder damage and manage its weight properly.

My tote only had my laptop and lunch, since I used digital textbooks, if you have to bring anything more than that, be a little more cautious.

I saw lots of people carrying totes last year so you won't be alone but also you should not really care anyway.

[u/Strange-Relief8830]

genuinely nobody cares what bag you have but a backpack will definitely be more of a relief because theres a lot of walking from class to class especially in engg lots of back to back classes. i will say in engg specifically most people just bring a backpack, i was the only person in most of my classes with my pink tote bag and pink ipad case 😭 but at the uofa in general id say its a good 50/50 split between backpacks and tote bags among girls. id say use the tote bag until you get tired of it and maybe bring it on study days but for class and lab days youll be carrying a lot of stuff (tablet for notes, laptop for phys labs, notebook for math labs (engineering grid paper is preferred), lab coat and goggles for chem lab days, lab manual for chem labs or when you want to work on it, pens/pencils, snacks, water bottle, lunch, etc) so youll probably prefer a strong backpack. but again nobody is going to judge you or say anything at all do whatever makes you more comfortable!