CollegeTime: Backback vs. Totebag

(taken from google images. Collage by me)

The question on everyone's mind every school year is backpack or tote bag. This is even more a question for college students, especially us girls. In high school we pretty much could get away with buying a cute tote bag and carrying it around with some folders in it and carrying our books, but that's not the way college is. I don't know from experience but I have been told by people that carrying a tote bag is a lot harder in college just because you have more things you need to take and you have to walk around campus with it all. Its not a matter of it not fitting in the tote bag, but whether or not it is comfortable to carry it around. So I have come up with a list of pros and cons for each one and at the end I will tell you my choice.

Backpack:

(taken from google images)

Pros:

1. Two straps to help equal out the weight and keep your shoulders from hurting as bad
2. Generally more pockets than a tote bag so you can separate your stuff easier if you are organized
3. Cute patterns to give you a choice to match your style
4. Sturdier than a tote bag on most occasions
5. You can put your books and binders in it! 

Cons:

1. Tend to be heavier than tote bags because you put more stuff in them
2. Straps can break leaving you with just one strap just as if you had a tote bag
3. Bulky!

Tote bags:

(taken from google images)

Pros:

1. Cute styles and looks a lot cuter than a backpack
2. Tends to take up a little less space and can still hold most of your things
3. You can have monograms and things added to most
4. You have more of an option to make it your own

Cons:

1. Not as durable as a backpack
2. Straps tend to break easier if you put heavy items in it
3. You end up carrying binders and books to keep straps from breaking
4. Can cause you more shoulder pain than a backpack

In the end I chose to use a backpack for my first semester in college. I always used tote bags in high school and after trying to fit everything I needed to take to school into my tote bag I realized it just wasnt going to happen. There is a lot more room in a backpack and I personally think they are easier to use when you have to take long walks. Let me know in the comments what your choice would be.

~Kaylan