Teens at Mater Dei carry more in their backpacks than pencils and paper. There are many different necessities a student needs to help them through the day. These could be something for their extracurricular activities, or even just a hairbrush. Some of the small things students bring to school can truly make the difference between a good or bad day. So what are those small necessities in a Monarch’s backpack?

Since Mater Dei is such an athletic driven school with many encouraged to be involved, many students have to bring an extra backpack with them, or extra items in their primary bag. Sophomore Olivia Sullivan, who participates in indoor, beach, and club volleyball, shares what she prepares for the day for her activities.

“For beach volleyball, depending on the weather, I either bring leggings or shorts and a t-shirt,” Sullivan said. “I also usually bring a snack so I’m not hungry, a hairbrush, a hair tie, and something to help my hair stay back. I also try to bring water, a few snacks, and lunch.”

One of the most crucial items needed is the student iPad. As an Apple distinguished school, students at Mater Dei are required to bring a charged iPad everyday because a majority of the classroom’s learning is operated online. For sophomore Sofia Grianu, she makes sure to pack her iPad every morning, along with other necessities for each class.

“My iPad is necessary for everything I do at school,” Grianu said. “I also like to keep 3-4 pencils in my bag because I always tend to lose them, and because someone always asks me for a pencil. In my backpack, I also carry six folders for my six classes in case we have any paper assignments, and so that papers don’t lay freely in my backpack. I also always carry a hairbrush, lip gloss, and perfume.” 

It is not uncommon that students forget to charge their iPads the night before school when they are up late studying or doing other activities. While most classrooms are equipped with chargers, it is not guaranteed that each student will have access.

“I always bring a charger for my iPad in case I forget to charge it the night before,” Sullivan said. “Although most teachers have chargers in the classroom, it is always a good idea to bring your own.” 

With most students juggling such busy schedules, many students like to use or bring a to-do list or planner. Sophomore Kylie Horwich uses a planner in order to help maintain an organized schedule and track her assignments.

“A lot of times after school I have a few activities so having a calendar in my backpack makes it helpful to organize my schoolwork with that schedule,” Horwich said. 

The diversity of students and their interests and activities at Mater Dei is reflected in the variety of items one may find in a given person’s backpack. Whether that is lip gloss, snacks, or your study guide for a big test, each object has a certain importance. These certain things help students navigate through a day in high school. So what’s in your backpack? Share in the comments to this article. We would love to hear from you.