What’s Actually In My Bag: NYC College Student Edition

Between going to school and living the city life, these are my top essentials that I never leave my dorm without as an incoming student living in New York.

The first thing I always carry with me, besides my phone, is my wallet.

It’s from Victoria's Secret and holds everything I need, like my cards and cash. I would recommend this one specifically (or any wallet that comes with the plastic ID slip) because it easily scans when I have to get into certain buildings. Instead of fumbling to open my wallet, I can just tap it, which saves time and makes my life so much easier.

You will always find my earbuds and sunglasses in my bag for those days I can’t be bothered. It feels like turning on Do Not Disturb to the world, which is why I always recommend a good pair of headphones. I use the Apple earbuds because I can easily throw them in my bag without the hassle of having to charge them. But if you really want to tune out the busy noise of New York some days, I suggest soundproof headphones. Some I recommend are the Bose QuietComfort Headphones; they’re soundproof, and their battery lasts up to 24 hours. If that’s a bit too pricey, the JBL Tune670NC is a great alternative. They are soundproof and more budget-friendly.

If I had to recommend one thing you should always have in your bag during the school year, it would be a calendar.

Filofaxes (or lookalikes) have made a comeback in the media as a staple for organization. I bought a Filofax-style planner from Etsy for a quarter of the price of a real Filofax, and it works perfectly.

I know many people have a calendar on their phone or laptop, but personally I'm a very analog person. Being able to write things down helps me a lot during the school year, and it keeps me much more organized.

This camera will probably be a family heirloom because my mom took this everywhere in high school and since I got it, it has not left my side. It’s been through everything with me: vacations, football games, and even runway shows. I have the Canon PowerShot SD790, and I can't recommend it enough if you’re looking for a durable, long-lasting camera. Instead of buying new from Amazon or TikTok shop, I’d suggest checking out secondhand options. You’ll find so many great deals on eBay and other online sites. It’s absolutely worth it, and I get stunning pictures every time. It really is the perfect way to capture life here in New York.

Lastly, I always keep a tiny bag that I can transfer between whatever purse I’m using. That way, I have these essential items with me at all times. My lips are never not chapped, especially in the colder seasons. I’ve tried countless lip products, but none work as well for me as the ones from Summer Fridays. I alternate between the Cherry and Pink Guava flavors, and they last forever. The second Item is something you never realize you need until you do — a Tide Pen. I never go anywhere without it and if I don't need it myself, someone around me always will. Finally, I always keep a spare charger or a portable battery. Between my phone and laptop, one of them is always dead when I need it most. You definitely don’t want to be stuck somewhere with a dead phone.

What is one thing in your purse you couldn’t live without? Leave a comment down below!