Throughout the school day, students bring random items that they feel are essential and cannot be left at home. Many students use their backpack to store school issued supplies, but combine their bags with their survival items. Some of the common items students bring are gum, waterbottles, and hygiene items. Students bring their essential items to help them get through each school day.
Students answered a poll about their backpack essentials. The results showed many students feel like gum is an essential item and helps students stay focused in class.
According to a study by Cog Blog, chewing gum at school can enhance students ability to focus and learn. Chewing gum at school helps students feel more relaxed, increase their attention, lower stress, and improve their memory. Gum allows students to be more alert and engaged in material by helping them stay on track easier.

Another essential item that is common is a water bottle. According to the Lor Foundation, students staying hydrated during the school day maximizes mood and brain functions. Surveys nationwide have proven that in grades K-12, over half of students are dehydrated. Allowing students to go back and forth to the water fountain can be seen as disruptive, so having a water bottle is convenient.
Many students participate in PE and Strength Training, so a top essential is hygiene items. After PE or Strength Training many students freshen up to feel clean rather than sweaty and gross. RCHS students typically carry hygiene items such as deodorant, perfume, cologne, hand sanitizer, chapstick, and lotion.
All in all, students carry many items in their backpacks to get them through each day. Students’ random essentials allow them to feel more secure at school. All of these items make up students from hydration to hygiene.