by Rachel Remmington
Horizon Reporter
Early on a Tuesday morning at Whatcom Community College, a woman with long fiery red hair has a colorful shoulder bag lying on her shoulder as she clenches a cup of coffee close to her, walking through the blustery campus.
Students at Whatcom are attending the college for a variety of career goals, and with their varying degrees, along with the assortment of hobbies they have, come a collection of different items students are seen carrying each day, which they carry in a selection of bags.
Brandon Cope, 18, a student at Whatcom, brings the same school gear on most days. He carries a “laptop and homework” with him on a daily basis, which he carries in a backpack. Evan Frazier, 15, also carries his supplies in a backpack for practicality purposes. “I like to fit everything in one bag,” said Frazier. “I have to bike a lot so it’s a lot easier to carry.”
Curran Roy, 20, prefers a different method of carrying his school supplies. “I carry an overly large purse,” said Roy. “It makes me look like a trashy diva, but I can fit everything in it.” Madeleine Easton, 23, used to carry her books and supplies in her arms, but decided to use a different method of transporting her belongings. “I have a shoulder bag because I’m pretending I’m a legit student,” said Easton.
Although most students use similar methods of carrying their school supplies on campus, the items inside their bags are much more diverse, and sometimes quite unusual. “I used to bring a towel every day to school because I used to be a swimmer,” said Cope. “I think the weirdest thing I’ve brought here is probably a baseball glove.” Crystal Barlean, 32, comes prepared by bringing her tool box in case anything ever needs a fixing. “I carry a multi-tool box with me,” said Barlean. “You never know when you’re going to need them.”
Peter Moore, 39, brings a variety of nursing supplies with him on occasion. “I bring a stethoscope and a blood pressure cuff,” said Moore. He also brings a urinary catheterization kit sporadically, which collects urine through a tube.
Students at Whatcom carry a variety of items with them, and regardless of what they’re carrying, most of them try to come prepared for whatever the day may bring to them. Roy isn’t an exception. “I bring my books, my toothbrush, and my deodorant in case a lucrative adventure takes me somewhere for the evening.”
