When I was in college I use to bring handbag at school because I have too much stuff to bring with me. I work in the morning and I study after working hours. I carried too much stuff with me during my college time. When I finished college and got my first job I still use handbag then I bought some purse. I only use purse if I don't carry things with me. And when I have my children, not just a handbag I bring, I use bags for children stuff.
If I have a choice, handbag is for daily usage while purse is just for party to pair with dressing gown and party dresses. Because if I bring purse everywhere I go, there is a tendency that I can forget it and lose it. So to avoid that to happen I prefer handbag because I can feel it my shoulder and I don't easily forget it because its huge.