Im not sure if Im posting for a lil encouragement or some advice of if Im even posting in the right spot. Well just got back yesterday for buying books for my second semester in college. Ive taken a heavy load this year and Monday and Wednesdays are my heaviest. Schools rapidly approaching so I thought for fun Id get my book bag ready and load it up with books for the first day. By the time I was done the book bag was over 36 pounds heavier and well barely able to zip. I don't mind heavy things except for when I got to drag them uphill for over 15 minutes just to get to the public bus i ride to campus. As out of shape as I am right now I have enough trouble walking uphill with nothing let alone 36 pounds of dead weight. Another concern is a rather superficial one but Im prone to this its that im afraid of how foolish Id look with this massive thing jutting off my back on the first day of classes... is that a silly thought? Ive contemplated leaving a couple books at home till I learn who uses books and class and who doesnt but If I dont learn this right away, which Im to afraid to ask the professor ( super shy as well), Im afraid my school work will suffer. So I thought two book bags one that lays on the hip and one on the back. Once again how big of a nerd would I look on the first day with two book bags? And theres still the issue of me taking that weight up the hill, Im sure if I try I can but not without feeling like Im going to collapse in the middle. Anyone here in college or gone to college that perhaps offer tidbits of advice, guess you dont need to have been in college to do so. I think I just need to bear the weight in two bags and ignore the feeling I look stupid. As Ive been telling myself lately Ill get through whatever it is and we still be alive and no worse for it in the end anyway.

they make book bags that are designed like luggage - they have wheels. why not one of these? and if it concerns you - they also seem to be "trendy".

I dont' think I ever brought my text books to class in my four years of university. I would take a binder or coil ring notebook for each class (actually I had 2 coilring note books with 3 subjects in each: one for my Monday Wednesday classes and 1 for my tuesday thursday classes). I found that my profs almost never refered to the text book and when they did I would just put a note in the margin of my notes and go back and check it later. Most of my friend/classmates were the sameway.

That's just me though...

36# is too much weight for anybody to be carrying around without a serious backpack with a padded hip belt (like for overnight camping). The rolling tote is a good idea, but you still won't need to have all your books with you. As I recall from my college years, the first class meeting is mostly a course introductory thing anyway, so I wouldn't worry be that concerned about which books to take. You might pick a couple to take to read when you have breaks between classes. You won't have to ask your professors about bringing books to class. You will either be told or will easily figure it out from the way the class is structured. Have fun.

I never brought any of my books to class in college. Generally, they're for assigned at home reading unless you have some sort of workbook that the professor wants you to bring to class (a portion of the US Constitution for a Polisci class or something.) Most professors also don't expect anyone to have books on the first day. Go your first day, ask the professor if you'll work out of the book in class, and decide from there whether or not you'll need to bring your books.

I never took my texts to classes either. I just jotted a note in the margin (a page reference, for example, or a "check book!") Exceptions were for literature-type books, but those I bought in paperback anyway.

If you need to bring your book, I'd think it'd be clear enough after the first day...can't imagine you're going to be at a serious disadvantage by not having them on the first day actually on your person.

i hardly ever OPENED the textbooks, let alone took them to class i wouldnt bother taking them all to class, like the others have said. If you find that he is constantly referring to some specific textbook then just take that one in. Otherwise its going to be pretty tough, taking in 36 pounds worth not even to use them!