Originally Posted by
BeTheChange
Also, most schools have lockers and showers in convenient places.
Most high schools do. Most colleges don't.
To OP, don't get panniers that don't convert. Remember that you're going to have to park your bike and then lug your luggage. Make sure that it converts into something that you can easily carry whatever distance you have to walk.
Also, I wouldn't judge all backpacks by your fifth-grade bookbag. I ride with a Swiss Gear laptop bag, which I prefer to panniers. A backpack isn't great if you absolutely have to lug a ton of books as well as a laptop, but OTOH if you can keep it to one or two books plus laptop, it's not so bad.