Everyday Carry: The Prepared Grad Student

Everyday Carry: The Prepared Grad Student
It's just like college except now you're a bona-fide adult. Equip like one.
Everday Carry: The Prepared Grad Student

You’re no longer the liberal arts undergraduate who’s trying to up his GPA at the 11th hour.

You're no longer satisfied with carrying rented textbooks in a backpack your parents bought you.

And you're definitely not showing up to class in sandals and cargo shorts any more.

You’re a grad student, and your level of focus in all areas has gone from somewhat blurry to sniper-like. Your everyday carry has to change too, but part of being responsible, professional, and lean is keeping costs in check.

We’ve put together a kit that will prep you for the next two years (or more) of intense classroom time, long nights of studying, and perhaps even that doctoral dissertation that looms ahead like The Wall at Castle Black.

A pair of Audio Technica QuietPoint Active Noise Cancelling In Ear Headphones with noise canceling unit

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC23 QuietPoint Noise Cancelling Earbud Headphones

Amazon, $49

You will be studying. A lot. And some, if not much of that studying will happen in public places. Noisy public places. It helps to have something to tune out your surroundings when working at a coffee shop or library.

The good news is you don’t have to lug around a giant pair of headphones to get portable noise cancelling and solid audio. These Audio-Technicas are small, lightweight and drown out up to 90% of background noise while providing excellent sound.

If you prefer not to listen to music while studying, Flents Quiet Please foam earplugs offer 29 decibels of comfy noise reduction.

A Vaultskin Chelsea Slim Card Sleeve Wallet with RFID Protection in tan leather

Vaultskin Chelsea Slim RFID Wallet

Amazon, $33

Grad school is a chance to refresh your personal presentation – important for a classroom full of your future professional colleagues and necessary for the internships you'll be doing with potential future employers. So don't have an overstuffed wallet.

The Chelsea is a slim front pocket wallet made of soft and durable Italian leather and can hold up to 10 cards. The RFID feature keeps would-be electronic thieves at bay, too.

Close up of Seiko Men's Analog Green Dial Automatic Silver Stainless Steel Watch

Seiko SNKM97 Automatic Watch

Amazon, $115

Yes, a watch can be stylish, automatic and affordable all at once, and this men’s 42mm stainless steel tonneau case timepiece is perfect for the budget conscious graduate student still looking to make a statement that your time is important to you.

Tough mineral crystal protects the unique black, gold and green vintage sports watch dial, and the automatic movement means you’ll never have to worry about replacement batteries.

Shot of a young camper holding a hydro flask food flask

Hydro Flask 18 oz. Food Flask

Amazon, $35

It benefits your brain and your budget to cook at home and bring your lunch (or dinner, or both) to campus instead of eating out or getting by on vending-machine junk.

The Hydro Flask Food Flask is a double insulated food grade stainless steel thermos that keeps food hot or cold for up to 3 full hours. Plus, everyone will be jealous when you crack open the steamy goodness of the turkey chili you made from scratch.

Image of tritanware Titanium Plated Portable Utensil Set With Utensil Case

Tritan Ware Titanium Utensil Set

Amazon, $16

As a grad student, you'll be eating on the go more than you’d like to admit (especially if you work during your studies). Having the right tools makes it easier.

This tough, light and convenient utensil set is made from food grade titanium and comes with its own neoprene case, all attached to a carabiner with its own bottle opener, for those post-exam celebrations.

Camelbak Forge insulated travel mug with one handed opening apparatus

CamelBak Forge Insulated Travel Mug

Amazon, $17

You've got a way to transport hot and cold food when you're on the go; liquids are next in the line up. The Forge Insulated travel mug is made from stainless steel and can keep beverages hot for over four hours. It’s also leak proof and the one-handed lever means you can imbibe while taking notes.

Close up image of a Mead college ruled composition notebook

6-Pack of Mead 100-Page Composition Books

Amazon, $15

Taking notes by hand has been proven to work better for remembering things than typing them in a tablet/laptop/smartphone, and it cuts down on social media and internet-enabled distractions, too.

Composition books are inexpensive, easy to carry, and easy to organize by subject/unit/project. The cardboard cover also makes them more durable and spill-proof than other notebooks or legal pads.

Image of a refillable ink rollerball all metal pen

Parker IM Rollerball Pen

Amazon, $14

Ergonomics and smooth ink flow will start to matter as the hours of writing, underlining, and outlining add up. Upgrade your writing implement from a cheap ballpoint to a rollerball that costs way less than the Montblanc in your future. The Parker IM rollerball is all metal, comes in several lacquered finish colors, and is refillable for longtime use.

Image of a HEX Empire messenger bag with quilted front

HEX Empire Messenger Bag

HEX, $75

Gone is the burdensome backpack you used to carry, and now you’re in need of replacing with something decidedly more upscale without requiring you to tap into your student loan. The HEX Empire Messenger is sophisticated and urbane with its black, water-resistant, and quilted exterior and its slim profile. It’ll hold a laptop and a tablet in two separate, faux fur-lined pockets and still have room for pens, phone, and whatever else your daily academic grind requires.

Image of a Gerber Diesel multi tool in black

Gerber Diesel Multi-Plier Black

Amazon, $62

You may not be a mechanical engineer (or maybe you are), but you can be handy on the run with Gerber’s Diesel. The one-handed deployment is a clever feature, and the 15 tools include needlenose pliers, a half-serrated knife blade, and mini-scissors. Having a multi-tool means you can work on your bike, your car and whatever else needs attention on the fly.

Image of an Acer Chromebook 15

Acer Chromebook 15

Amazon, $250

Your notebook computer needs to be light, affordable, and have staying power. The Acer Chromebook is all three. For less than a really great pair of boots, you can have a laptop with a dual core 1.5 GHz processor 4  GB of SDRAM, 15.6-inch screen and a 9-hour battery life. Be aware, however, that as a Chromebook you'll be totally dependent on Google's suite of productivity apps. Great for mobility, but something to be aware of.

What are your grad student EDC essentials?

Amos Kwon

Amos is an aficionado of cars, cigars, watches, whisky, tech, and style. He's written for Gear Patrol, Askmen, Inside Hook, and Fatherly. He's based in the Chicago area and lives with his wife and three children. Follow him on Instagram @wrathofkwon.