Bag for Commuting to Class?

[Blueberry]

So as many of you here know, I'm completely changing my career and going back to school (yay!). I couldn't be more excited!

So...there is no parking where I will be taking classes. There is park and ride, but the bus ride from there is just about as long as just taking the bus from near my home. So...I decided to forgo any park and ride parking permit and just get a bus pass. I might end up walking to the bus, but it's not a short walk, and I doubt I'll have that much patience. Which leaves me biking (or, in terrible weather, DH can drive me to the bus stop - but we'll try not to do that).

I have a messenger bag I love, but I tend to use it when I don't have a rack on the bike I'm riding. It DOES cause discomfort when very loaded, and it isn't comfortable walking (which I will be doing on campus) so....I'm looking at new pannier type bags. I have 2 arkel touring panniers, but they tend to kill me with sharp edges when carrying them (older hooks, designed for touring - were fine when I had a locker), and I have an ortlieb shopper, but it's not really the right size/shape, and isn't great for shoulder carrying either. I don't want to attach something permanently to a bike (esp since I will have to lift it on a bus), and I don't want to leave bags on the bus (it is a college campus).

I will need to carry books, lunch (speaking of which - anybody got a good lunch bag they love?), maybe a laptop, maybe a change of clothes or shoes (but not everyday - I won't have shower access), plus the helmet when I get to campus.

I'm considering:

The Arkel Bug (currently 15% off and free shipping)

The Metropolitan

The Briefcase (probably not likely, but still on the list. Very expensive).

The Switchback - strikes me as a smaller/simpler bug, but would love opinions.

Maybe the Messenger Briefcase - less info on the website about this.

Thoughts? Other brands you like? Am very open to alternatives Thanks!!

(I really want the Utility Basket - but not for this purpose, I think. And this is the more pressing need.)

[tulip]

I vote for the Bug. Very versatile. I have an Arkel briefcase and it's not great for carrying (too heavy) and my heel strikes it on the bike unless its way back on the rack.

What will you be studying? Congratulations!

ETA: I like the Bug because it has a place to put your helmet so it doesn't swing around and knock into things. And it's a backpack, which I prefer over one-shoulder bags.

[Blueberry]

Tulip-

Thanks! You can tell I have a bias towards, Arkel. I do love their products. I'll PM you on what I'm doing and where

[soprano]

Can you get a locker anywhere on campus? Having a locker at school means I have somewhere to stash my shoes and helmet during the day. This greatly reduces the amount of stuff I have to haul around all day. I usually leave my books in the locker at night.

I have a Mr. Bento lunchbox that I love. I use a bungee cord to strap it to one side of my rack, and put my pannier on the other side. I like the Mr. Bento because it is hard sided and protects my food from being squished, and it holds enough food for my rather large appetite. It was expensive for a lunchbox, but eating out less means that it payed for itself within a week.

Good luck! I went back to school when I was 29. The undergraduate boys are annoying, but I love challenging myself with my coursework.

[Blueberry]

Sadly, no locker is possible. That would have made it much easier (and it what I did with my last program). I'm in a weird position with taking classes. I need pre-recs for the degree program I want to do - so I'm part time, non-degree (the only option for me) for 2 years. Everything has been "odd" - from registration, to parking/transportation, etc. The computer systems don't quite agree on what to do with me.

Good to know on the Mr. Bento. I looked at that a long time ago, and never got one. Thanks for the reminder!

[Blueberry]

Based on volume, I think I'm down the the Bug, the Metropolitan and maybe the Commuter (it does have a way to cover the pannier attachment system - and has a laptop sleeve).

I think I'm leaning towards the bug because of the helmet. Otherwise, it would be one of the others.