Unraveling the Secrets of a Day Student’s Backpack

The day student’s backpack, in terms of essentiality to its wearer, falls somewhere in between the pack of a Navy SEAL and Batman’s utility belt. The day student, as he has nowhere to keep his stuff during the day, must cram it all into his backpack, yet leave enough room in there so that he himself can fit in if his ride home was attacked by ferocious New England wolves. Next time you see a day student struggling to pull out his English reading, see if you can spot these five items.

1. Three logs and a box of matches, for when it gets cold.

2. Every textbook since prep fall, “I forgot to take them out over break.”

3. A yak and a Sherpa, to guide him if he needs to walk home.

The day student, as he has nowhere to keep his stuff during the day, must cram it all into his backpack, yet leave enough room in there so that he himself can fit in if his ride home was attacked by ferocious New England wolves. 4. At least 600 pencils and four phone chargers. His classmates know that if they forget theirs, they can ask him, and he knows that if that happens, he might make a friend.

5. Many, many, changes of clothes. What if it gets hot? Shorts and a t-shirt. What if it gets cold? The largest ski jacket you’ve ever seen in your life. What if he’s attacked by a townie on the way home? Body armor and a shot gun. What if he wants to go to the dance? Blazer. He’s like a Ken doll.

6. Paper and envelopes for writing home to your parents considering how much time you spend at Exeter.