A schoolbag is a bag designed to carry books, notebooks, pencils, and other supplies students need for school. Most schoolbags are backpacks with two straps that go over your shoulders, distributing the weight evenly across your back. Some are messenger bags that hang from one shoulder, and others are tote bags with handles.

The design of a schoolbag matters more than you might think. A good schoolbag has padded straps so it doesn't dig into your shoulders, multiple compartments to keep things organized, and enough space for textbooks without being so large that it becomes awkward to carry. Some have special pockets for water bottles, laptops, or lunch boxes.

In many countries, the style and contents of a schoolbag reveal a lot about the school day ahead. A Japanese student's randoseru (a sturdy leather backpack) might last six years, while an American student might switch bags every year or two. Students in some countries carry remarkably heavy schoolbags, sometimes weighing 15 or 20 pounds, packed with textbooks for multiple subjects.

Packing a schoolbag the night before can show a student's responsibility and preparation. Forgetting your schoolbag at home usually means a frustrating day of borrowed pencils and missing homework.