Off beat question about grad school

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drewnyl
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I have a different sort of question about grad school. I graduated from university over 25 years ago and recently decided to go back and do a PhD in math. I will start in the fall. I was just wondering, how do graduate student carry their books and supplies? Backpack? A Bag? By hand? I don't really remember what I used in college...
 
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drewnyl said:
I was just wondering, how do graduate student carry their books and supplies? Backpack? A Bag? By hand?
Whatever works for you. The grad students (and professors) I know use anything from a purse/tote to a messenger bag to a bookbag. I'm planning to use a messenger bag 'cause that's what I've been using since elementary school, but it's really totally a matter of preference/comfort. Neither grad course I'm taking/sitting in on this semester requires a book, and very few courses in general require students to bring books to class.

I left my books in my office and carried a single folder with loose leaf paper for notes.
I basically do the same when my class is in the same building as my lab, but next year my courses are going to be half way across the city.
 
drewnyl said:
I was just wondering, how do graduate student carry their books and supplies?

Do you mean between home and office or between office and class? Between office and class, I, too, used a folder. Between home and office, I used (and still use) a backpack. I prefer not to carry stuff (books, bags, etc.) with my hands when I walk any distance. As a grad student, I had a twenty-five minute walk between home and office, and I currently get off my bus about seventeen minutes from home.

In any case, good luck!
 
drewnyl said:
I have a different sort of question about grad school. I graduated from university over 25 years ago and recently decided to go back and do a PhD in math. I will start in the fall. I was just wondering, how do graduate student carry their books and supplies? Backpack? A Bag? By hand? I don't really remember what I used in college...

A backpack usually.

I still use a backpack even going to work and conferences.

Zz.
 
I usually leave my books at home and avoid carrying them at all. I do carry a laptop in my backpack, though, and occasionally just one book if I think I'll need it.

I don't think anyone will particularly care what kind of bag you use. Laptop bags and briefcases are also used. But a backpack is the best way to distribute weight if you're carrying a lot.
 
I hired a small South American boy to carry my bags.
 
MotoH said:
I hired a small South American boy to carry my bags.

Its people like you who disgust me, driving up prices like that. There was a time when this was feasible, before the dark times, before increased demand...
 
drewnyl said:
I have a different sort of question about grad school. I graduated from university over 25 years ago and recently decided to go back and do a PhD in math. I will start in the fall. I was just wondering, how do graduate student carry their books and supplies? Backpack? A Bag? By hand? I don't really remember what I used in college...
I used a heavy-duty backpack - because I had library books as well. My bag probably weighed 40 lbs or so.
 
A big backpack. Other than notes/books, I put coffee mug and other important possessions (pens, pencils, calculator, coins, a sweater sometimes, earphones, some scrap paper ... and sometimes laptop ) in it.