My oldest son left home for college several years ago. After changing his focus a couple of times and taking a year or two off to work in between courses, he is now in his last year of Kinesiology at Humber-Guelph. While he’s a self-sufficient adult now, those first couple of transition years meant that we were still very much involved in his care and his success as a student. Like many college students, he left with whatever hand-me-downs we offered, as well as several boxes of “must haves” that we packed for him. Here are ten things that we believe every college student needs:
Toiletries, and lots of them
When living with mom and dad, kids seem to think there is a never ending supply of shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Deodorant just magically appears on their night stands and the toothpaste never runs out. While reality does need to set in at some point, the first year of college is a tough time with many lessons, so stock their closets with an abundance of toiletries (and cleaning supplies too!) so they have one less thing to worry about.
A First Aid Kit
Ensuring your child knows how to administer first aid in an emergency is also important, but the first aid kit can be a good start. Don’t just pack it with emergency supplies though, put in a thermometer, blister bandaids, headache and cold medications, nail clippers, heat/ice packs and anything else you think your child may need throughout the school year.
A Good Mattress
We all know that sleep can be scarce during the first year of college. Between the social life, studying and the stress, these kids can really miss out on quality rest. A decent mattress can make a big difference. We were recently given a Casper mattress for my son and not only has it helped him get the quality sleep he needs, it was delivered to him in a box so I didn’t have to figure out how to get it there. Check out how easy it was to set up!
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Dorms can be noisy places, and your child needs to study. A good pair of noise canceling headphones can make all of the difference while cramming for the big exam. If headphones don’t work for your child, try a sound machine. A little white noise can cut out the background noise while working and also help your child sleep at night.
A Desk & Office Chair
Most dorm rooms provide a desk but they don’t all give the students comfortable office chairs to sit in. If you are moving your child into a shared apartment or house, you will need to look into a desk as well. Remember, they are going to spend a lot of time there, so choose carefully.
We all want to make sure they have every single thing they could possibly ever want while they are at school, but there are some things they just don’t need.
Hot Plates or Similar Cooking Devices
Hot plates and portable grills are not permitted in many dorms for good reason. They present a fire hazard, particularly for young people who are just learning to live independently and have a lot of distractions. Stick to the microwave to ensure everyone’s safety.
Disposable plates and cutlery
I know that the kids have a lot to learn and manage their first year away from home, but providing them with disposable plates and cutlery crosses the line (in my opinion). It’s bad for the environment and not necessary. Get them real plates and cutlery and some dish soap!
Junk Food
Have you heard of the Freshman 15? The statement originates from the extra weight new college students tend to put on from eating so much junk. They are going to be faced with vending machines, pizza, french fries and every other type of convenience food out there and they will choose them over cooking for themselves. Don’t help them along by stocking the cupboards with junk. Encourage healthier eating by dropping off fresh fruits and vegetables and filling the shelves with brain foods like nuts and seeds to snack on.
Whatever you are packing for your kids, remember to bring the tissues for yourself. There will be tears, unless you are like my husband who exclaimed on our way home “One down, three to go!”
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