Backpacks and Brainpower

Between classes, sports, and clubs, Gilman students carry more than just knowledge. Our backpacks, often stuffed with books, binders, and laptops, can weigh as much as a sledgehammer. But does that weight reflect our academic performance? A recent survey of the student body analyzed the habits of 49 individuals, seeking to uncover whether there’s a correlation between backpack weight and GPA.

The most common backpack weight ranged between 11 and 15 pounds, though a significant chunk reported carrying bags in the 6-10 or 16-20 pound range. Textbooks were the heaviest item for 60% of students, with computers coming in second at 25%. 

Packing style makes a massive difference. “I just bring all my binders every day because I will do homework for the classes the following day,” said Thomas Wrenn ‘28, whose bag weighs from 26 to 30 pounds on any given day. Many others with heavy backpacks also admitted to a similar “better safe than sorry” strategy.

Interestingly, regardless of weight, 96% of students reported carrying their backpack on both shoulders. One of the few exceptions was Rohan Sinha ‘26. He explained, “Whenever I’m carrying my backpack, I’m always in a rush to go somewhere, and carrying the backpack on one shoulder is just faster. If it were more about comfort or a longer trek, I’d probably use both shoulders.”

When it comes to grades, most students reported a weighted GPA between 94 and 97, although GPAs between 97 and 100 were also quite common. However, the data revealed no clear link between backpack weight and GPA. Students in the 80s carried bags as light as 6 pounds and as heavy as 30, while top students also had backpacks across the spectrum. Although some noted physical discomfort from carrying heavy loads, most believed this weight had no real effect on their grades. Zach Susel ‘27 agreed, remarking, “I’m only holding my bag for maybe five minutes before I’m at my class, and I don’t think about it until after class is done.”

Opinions about the impact of backpack weight on academic performance were mixed. Gavin Gracey ‘29 argued, “I think that a heavy backpack could deter you from having a more positive opinion on school because you spend a lot of time lugging a heavy backpack around.” While it’s plausible that students with higher GPAs take more challenging classes that require heavier books, digital alternatives are a possible explanation. Andy Krasulski ‘26 confirmed, “Students can achieve high academic performance by using tech for alternatives, such as taking notes via iPad. Some say typing digital notes is not as effective for memorizing as writing, but Apple pencils on an iPad solve this issue.”

Ultimately, our backpacks range from a few pounds to well over thirty, but the data support no correlation with GPA. Backpacks are more a matter of personal preference than a predictor of academic performance. Still, experts suggest carrying backpacks no more than 10-15% of a student’s body weight. So, while grades may not be at risk, your shoulders and back certainly are.