Master Compactor

“You cannot quit me so quickly—

there’s no hope in you for me.

No corner you could squeeze me

But I’ve got all the time for you, love.”

“The Space Between” – Dave Matthews Band

 

When you live off campus, it’s not always an option to go back home to grab something; in fact, it rarely is. Whether you forgot a book or suddenly decide you don’t want to wear your gym clothes for the rest of the day, the solution does not come easily, even with the awesome bus system or a car at the ready. For this reason, it’s incredibly important to ask yourself in the morning these three questions:

1. What do I need?
2. What do I not need?
3. How can I best fit everything I need?

For me, Tuesdays present the best circumstances to test this system. My first class is from 10:00-11:15, and I need my laptop and charger. I then go to spinning at 11:45 and need gym clothes as well as clothes to change into after. Since my next class is from 1-2:15 (for which I need one of a rotating collection of novels), I need to somehow get food in between. I then have a meeting from 2:30-3, work from 3-4, and another meeting from 4-4:30.

At first it seemed like I needed way more than I could possibly fit in my backpack and lug onto the bus in the morning. However, once I started to be more judicious about what I packed, I—mostly out of necessity—mastered the art of bringing exactly what I need, and only that, to campus. I’ve included the basic tips that I follow below.

 

Jars > Tupperware 

If you need to bring food (or empty containers to put food in later) to campus, I highly suggest using cylindrical jars rather than regular snap-top containers. You don’t even have to buy them—just rinse out any old jar. Mine used to be full of salsa, but once I used up the contents, the jars served as perfectly stackable carriers for my food. I specifically mention their “stackability” because, one on top of the other, they take up about as much space as a standard Nalgene or Camelbak water bottle. Totally reasonable!

Rolled > Folded

If you need a change of clothes, whether for an interview or the gym, don’t fold them. Rolling is the way to go. I don’t quite understand the science behind it, but fabric seems to take up significantly less space when it’s rolled, even if you roll several pieces together, as opposed to when it’s folded and stacked. And like the salsa jars (though this requires a little more hands-on maneuvering), your clothes have the potential to only take up about the space of a water bottle.

*On the topic of clothes, always arrive to campus in the clothes you need first. For example, if you’re going to the gym, wear your gym clothes to campus and bring a “normal” outfit to change into. Plan to wear your sneakers with that outfit. This might seem like common sense, but some people wear their “normal” outfit to campus, then change into gym clothes, then change back after. Refrain from that system, since it wastes both time and space.

Separated > Bulked

If you need to bring a notebook or folder to class, especially if you use it for more than one class, leaf through the pages and see if there are any you can rip out. You don’t have to get rid of them, but you also don’t have to carry them around with you if they’ve lost their immediate relevance. My backpack, for one, used to be full of freshman-year notes and tons of fliers that I picked up around campus. Paper weight adds up—you don’t need it.

*If the paper contents of your backpack is a mixture of flat items (like folders or notebooks) and smaller compact items (like agendas, novels, or a wallet), pack the smaller ones next to one another laterally so they create a wide layer like a notebook would. In other words, don’t stack them; lay them side by side.

In terms of my Tuesday schedule, this is basically how these rules play out—and work! During my 10:00 class, I eat an energy bar. On my way to spinning, I stop at Earthfoods Café with my empty jars from home and fill them with my lunch. After spinning, I change into the clean clothes I packed (rolled) and put my dirty clothes (also rolled) into my backpack. In my 1:00 class, I eat the food from Earthfoods and read the novel that I packed flat next to my agenda to slip easily between folders. The rest of the day progresses smoothly, and it’s starting to seem like it’s because everything fits in my backpack.

Sure, Dave Matthews is talking to a person, but maybe we should all treat our belongings with a little more consideration. Once you know what you need, respect those items and make sure they’re protected and on your person. Those you don’t need—well, ditch ‘em. “Squeeze” is the key word here; if you can’t squeeze them in, maybe they’re not worth having at all.