I teach part time at a community college and hated carrying a large bag because the weight was on one shoulder. I bought this backpack and it was able to carry a HUGE amount of paper and books that I need for all four of my activities. It's quite compact so it doesn't take up much space in my trunk or passenger seat, and the multiple zippers allow me to use it as a purse (phone, keys, wallet, chewing gum, etc.). I only recently stopped using it because my friends told me I "don't look like a professor" and offered me a (pretty decent) roller bag to try this semester. Although I have a feeling I'll be retiring this villain next year!