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1. Condense several subjects into only one notebook.
Why carry around all the extra paper? You would be surprised how much weight blank paper can add up to. Use cute markings and flags to seperate subjects and voila! This is a very organized way to lighten up the load and in the end saves you money because there is less of a chance notebooks will end up only being half used when you are finished.
2. Create a central small pouch or purse to store the most important items.
Now this is mainly an organizational tip but it can help you rethink what you really need in your backpack at all times. You can pick either a really small pouch or a large one, depending on your needs. I personally have a large Sportsac zipper pouch that I use to put my keys in, my phone, wallet and other essentials. This also helps me know exactly where everything is when I need it.
3. Get rid of the extra pencils.
Now this is a great idea if you are like me. I LOVE cool pencils and pens and always think I need every single one at school with me all the time. But the truth is, I don't. Pencils and pens can add up to a lot of weight and you really only need a couple basics with you per day. I recommend limiting yourself to two mechanical pencils, one non mechanical, one blue pen, one black pen, one other color pen and two different colored highlighters. This is really all you need! I know, it's hard believe!
4. Empty it out!
Now not all teachers may be okay with this idea, so check with your teachers first, but I find that it is a great saver of weight to empty out loose sheets/ handouts every two weeks. Usually, for my teachers, sheets from more than two weeks ago are not going to be used again, unless you are studying for an exam or the teacher specifies other wise. Another way to do this is empty out your folders every time you have a test. This is especially great for someone who, in their classes, always starts a new unit after each test.
5. What type of binder do you use?
Now there are many types of binders out there but some are a lot lighter than others! The brand that is very popular right now is the Staples Better View Binders, the one's with hard covers. These however are very heavy due to the super sturdiness of the front and back. Now these do hold up pretty well but is that really worth killing your back? I recommend the kind that have thin plastic flexible fronts and backs. Most of them will last a school year and they are much lighter.
Hope these ideas are helpful and will help you lighten the load on your back!
