Adult Continuing Education

Tips For What You Need in Your Backpack as a Continuing Education Adult

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I'm going back to school...as a fourty-three year old! I'm so used to packing my 8-year-old's backpack full of wide-lined notebooks and magic markers that I have no clue what I need to pack in my own backpack. I'm assuming I don't need to bring show and tell on the first day, right? Anyway, do you have any advice of what I should be packing for back to school as a continuing education adult?

Sincerely,

Back in the Backpack

A:

Dear Back in the Backpack,

Congratulations on going back to school! Your backpack will certainly need to to packed a bit differently than your 8-year-old's, so check out my tips for the necessities you'll need.

Must have items in your backpack if you're continuing your education as an adult:

1. An updated address book with everyone's FULL contact information. You never know when you're in the middle of class or an exam, and you get a call that the babysitter just got the stomach flu and you have to track down someone to cover for her so you can finish your exam!

2. Band aids and safety pins. These two items take care of everything from clothing malfunctions to school project fixes -- to sore feet (the campus is a lot larger than you remember).

3. Sunscreen; aspirin; and an extra pair of contact lenses, glasses, and eye drops. And tampons.

4. Quick food. A water bottle, juice box, and trail mix or peanut butter crackers.

5. An extra credit card or an extra ten dollar bill stowed somewhere for emergencies.

6. Photos of your husband and kids if you have them (the husband and kids -- not the photos).

7. A cell phone and laptop charger (you can buy lap top chargers that work off of your cigarette lighter in your car).

8. Change for parking meters or public transportation.

9. A mini-flashlight.

10. An extra pair of underwear, socks, and a tee shirt. You just never know -- it could be a spilled lunch, a torrential downpour, or an unexpected all nighter in the library that makes you so glad you had these.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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