Everyone has the basics inside their backpack — books, pencils, notebooks, pens, binders, folders, and any other school related items.

But what about those non-related school items?

Backpacks are for more than just carrying your school supplies, especially for boys who can’t carry around something as convenient as a purse like girls do

Here are some items that should be in everyone’s backpack:

1. Gum or mints

Having gum in your backpack can prove to be useful for many reasons, but the biggest benefit is always having the reassurance of a back-up plan.

Maybe one day you’re running low on time and cannot brush your teeth or simply forgot to brush your teeth that morning.

Instead of feeling self-conscious all day because of your breath or having to ask someone else for gum, you already have it in your bag at your convenience.

2. Lotion

Lotion is a definite must need, especially in the winter months, because of how dry the skin gets in cold weather.

Keeping the skin moisturized is important to keep sores from forming and skin feeling soft.

3. Tissue

Tissue is always a much-needed item to have on standby because classrooms often run out of it when you need it the most.

Maybe you have just caught a cold and have a runny or a stuffed up nose, or maybe you have an itch you can’t scratch.

Everyone needs tissue at some point, and knowing you having it when needed is reassuring.

4. Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is needed because, let’s face it, we touch hundreds upon thousands of germ infested things each day, and we can’t wash our hands every second of the day. So when the standard soap and water is unavailable, you always have a back up.

5. Chap Stick

Chap Stick, lip balm, lip gloss — whatever you may call it — you need to have it in your backpack.

Chapped lips are a pain to deal with and cold weather only makes things worse.

Save yourself from cracked, bleeding lips, and carry Chap Stick.