As the weather gets colder, midterms grow closer, and your calendar seems a little more full than the hazy hot days of summer, you might find yourself scrambling to get everything done.
But contrary to popular belief, UofT students can in fact be organized in the chaos.
Especially when you’re a Pi Beta Phi new member, STEM student and desperately want to get through those long days, your bag has to fit a lot more than just a water bottle and laptop.
Oh, and everything has to be purple.
From her wallet, phone and owala water bottle.
Just with the expectation of a dark red hoodie, a nonchalant way to rep the Pi Phi colours on campus.
The Lecture Survival Kit
An essential is a pencil case for notes or attendance, occasionally switched out with her iPad, all depending on whatever the specific prof wants.
Fair enough. Not following the tech policy is the equivalent to forgetting an umbrella in the rain. Except the rain knows your full name, student ID and syllabus.
notes or iPad? depends on the profAnother easy mistake is forgetting water and a snack. Especially for those long hours in that one required course in the lecture hall you didn’t want.
Extra fuel for Amélie includes a coffee. The secret is cold brew concentrate with caramelized brown sugar syrup, creating a convenient Starbucks drink at home.
at-home Starbucks ✦
She never forgets about having Berry Açai cubes on hand either. Smoothies are a favourite snack from her High School days in Toronto and the next go to drink besides water or coffee.
When all that fails, having gum on hand simply because it’s somehow become the one unspoken staple of a UofT student.
The Supplies
Ultimately opting to cook for herself over a meal plan, what's in her bag varies depending on if it’s grocery day or not.
“I’m not the most experienced cook,” Amélie admits to The Row.
More experienced than most, we said, after hearing she can make the best sourdough.
Involving a starter to give the bread its characteristic flavour, and a four hour process, it’s a lot more complicated than a store bought loaf.
It’s also the secret ingredient to her classic PB & J lunch, giving her the energy boost and sweet treat that carries her through a BIO120 lab.
BIO120 fuelBeing a lover of all Italian food though, she’s committing in every way.
“Half a jar of tomato sauce on some ravioli and call it a night” is her definition for a simple dinner.
Her food philosophy? Convenience, good quality, delicious.
Le Pliage, Packed Full
The vessel? A simple Longchamp bag in dark blue.
You might’ve seen these around campus a lot, but for a good reason: they’re basically timeless, and will never go out of style.
How could they? They fit a ton, lack a ton of complicated design, and are easy to carry.
Aside from the annoying red marks they leave, as she carries both a laptop and iPad: her study must haves.
To fight the future chiropractor bills, she alternates which shoulder should bear the brunt of the weight.
“I don’t want to end up with really bad back problems,” she jokes.
Locked In
The end of Fall semester might be coming sooner than we’d anticipate, but with her grocery list decided, a purple and packed bag might actually be the key to a 4.0 gpa and a spine that’s perfectly in place.