Novmber 4, 2005 - Volume 34 Issue 4
Heavy backpack
load proves unhealthy
By Katy Hauser, junior
Opinion Editor
As the school year progresses, several students are stuffing
their backpacks as full as possible every day to carry books between classes
and to take assignments home.
Teenagers have been hearing the same message for years now, “If you
keep carrying that heavy bag, you are going to hurt your back.” Parents,
teachers, and doctors combine to force this message. However, teenagers are
notorious for letting helpful messages like this go in one ear and out the
other.
According to kidshealth.org, “most doctors and physical therapists
recommend that kids carry no more than 10% to 15% of their body weight in
their packs”. If people carry more than this, they are risking serious
back problems that will last past high school and college to their elderly
years.
As the heavy load continues to bear down on high schooler’s backs,
their bodies are slowly becoming even worse. Back problems and shoulder problems
often stem from backpacks being too heavy. Circulation problems can also
occur if straps are too tight around the shoulders.
Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can create even more problems. The
uneven weight causes uneven muscle development.
Other
problems come with huge backpacks as well, according to kidshealth.org. Students
forget how far the bag sticks out behind them and can hit other
students or other objects. Huge bags often block the aisles between desks
in classrooms, making it difficult for teachers and students to move around.
Also, if a student trips while wearing a backpack, the bag could cause even
more injuries than the fall.
While many students find it difficult to solve this problem, other options
do exist.
Some students carry every single textbook they were issued in their backpack.
Lockers are put in the hallways to do more than add to the décor of
the high school; students can put all of their books into their locker until
it is time for that class or time to go home. This would reduce the amount
a student would have to carry during the day.
Carrying books instead of stuffing them into a backpack also reduces the
load. Students need to be sure that they are only taking the necessary items
with them to class and home. Extra items can add up to extra weight very
quickly.
Picking the right backpack can also affect students’ backs. Kidshealth.org
has several suggestions: a lightweight pack that does not add a lot of weight
to students’ already heavy load, two wide, padded shoulder straps because
straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders, a padded back to not only
provides increased comfort, but also protect students from being poked by
sharp edges on objects inside the pack, a waist belt to distribute the weight
more evenly across the body, and multiple compartments so that the weight
is distributed more evenly.
Ultimately, it is up to students and parents to make healthy decisions about
the weight of the backpack. Students need to realize that while a heavy bag
may just be a nuisance now, it can cause serious problems later in life.
Organizational skills help many, hinder others
By Melanie Weilert, senior
Editor-in-cheif
Within the depths of the average high school student’s
backpack, normalcy lies in the cluttered bunches of unrecognizable assignments,
biology books
that weigh more than the average brain, and food that expired long before
that last English paper molding beneath it was due. Organizational skills
are hard to come by in typical high school life and while some can get
by with the bare minimum, others choose to lighten the load.
Of the 88 students that responded to the recent Cub Tracks survey, 52 percent
carried all of their school supplies and books with them constantly, while
34 percent chose to store their belongings in lockers when they were not
in use.
“
My books usually stay in my locker until I need them, because most of my
classes are relatively close to each other,” said Micah Poovey, fr. “It
makes things lighter on my shoulders and helps prevent any kind of strain.”
With an average reported weight of well over 16 pounds, the normal backpack
load carried by high school students measured up to 17 percent of their total
body weight.
According to stlouischildrens.org, experts recommend that backpacks
should weigh no more than 10 percent of the individual’s weight.
This means that in accordance to survey response, the typical student carries
around almost twice as much as the recommended amount.
Students can easily combat the strain of overloaded backpacks through the
development of organizational skills and by rationing the amount they choose
to carry around.
“
My backpack is normally neat and organized, because I throw away the papers
that I don’t need,” said Nate Bartlett, fr. “I choose
to do this so I can find things more easily.”
“
I usually color code my notebooks and folders in a way that allows me to
know where most of my stuff belongs and it keeps me organized,” said
Poovey.
“
I just have one five-subject notebook that I use for everything,” said
David Setter, fr. “It makes it much easier to keep the clutter under
control.”
“Usually everything has a place and is in exactly that place, but I’m
only human. Sometimes I misplace notes or homework assignments,” said
Vici Corban, sr.
While some view the usage of lockers for storage space as almost entirely obsolete,
others understand the importance of managing their belongings.
“
I put certain papers in folders for specific classes,” said Crystal Crays,
fr. “Then I put those papers away in my bag along with whatever books are
used for the morning classes. When I’m at my locker, I switch my books
for my next class’s books. This way, my bag stays pretty much full all
day, but it makes things easier. I don’t have to go to my locker after
every single class.”
Although many individuals frequently use their lockers to store their heavy belongings
when they are not in use, some students remain reluctant and reason that it is
much simpler to tote everything around.
“
I keep all of my things inside of my bag, because it’s easier than having
to walk all the way up to the third floor every time I need something,” said
Shaela Anderson, so.
“
I carry everything around, because it’s easier to keep my stuff together
that way,” said Drake Tilman, so. “If I left everything in different
places, I would lose track of all my books.”
Ultimately, the development of organized belongings and efficient space usage
will lead to an easier load.
“
Without organizational skills, everyone is doomed to failure,” said Owen
Heisler, sr.
“
When you’re an organized person, you spend less time looking for homework
assignments and more time actually doing them,” said Crays.
However, whether one believes that it works best for them to carry around 20
pounds of books and papers alone or to leave everything in their lockers until
they feel it absolutely necessary to use, everyone should find out what type
of organization works best for them.
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