Add a DIY college survival kit to the packing list of any teen headed off this year to college! With a collection of basic essentials, first aid, and other over-the-counter items, your college freshman will be fully prepared when any need strikes.
What Is A College Survival Kit?
When my oldest daughter was headed off to college, I was full of mixed emotions. I was so excited for her, but between the excitement, the craziness, and the to-do lists, there were so many things I almost forgot.
That’s where this DIY College Survival Kit came in super-duper handy! When I couldn’t always be right there, it was nice to know she had all the necessary items for bumps, bruises, or a little head cold!
I thought I would give y’all a peek and list of contents just in case your baby is off to college. This would be perfect as a gift to a new college student. It is just the basic essentials but things that you are bound to forget during the chaos. Cause really, who remembers to buy band-aids? Me, that’s who!
How To Make College Survival Kit
This is easy to put together and can be completely customized to their needs. All you need is a small plastic box with a lid and your supplies. I recommend keeping it as basic, compact, and practical as possible so you don’t take up precious storage space in the tiny dorm rooms.
If you are helping them set up their dorm, grab this checklist to know you have everything you need!
When you get back from sending them off, send them a sweet care package full of healthy snacks they can share with friends. Don’t forget a college finals survival kit when exams roll around!
What To Put In Your Kit
Here are a few ideas to get you started. Remember, customize the contents according to what they need the most! Personally, cold and cough medicine were a high priority! There’s nothing worse than having to venture out to the drugstore when you have the sniffles.
- cough drops
- cold medicine
- band-aids
- allergy meds
- Tylenol
- migraine meds
- antibiotic ointment
- peroxide
- rubbing alcohol
I put it all in a plastic storage bin
with a lid. My kid will be the one in the dorm room with everything you need when you get sick or scrape your knee. Hey, I won’t be there to kiss the boo-boos anymore. This is my way of kissing them from across the miles!
Even More Ideas
If you are looking for even more ideas, below is another list of items that you could include in your college survival kit!
- vitamins
- essential oils
- acne medications
- moleskin
- ibuprofen
- Midol
- cough syrup
- foot spray
- anti-fungal cream
- eye drops
- nose spray
- throat lozenges
- tweezers
- nail clippers
- sewing kit
- or you can find more college essentials here
Any other tips for a mom of a soon-to-be college freshman? Advice? Or, you can commiserate with me in the comments below. Then make a shopping list for your own college survival kit. You will be so glad that you did!
Tips and Tricks for College Survival Kit
Now that you’ve seen how to make this college survival kit, are you ready to make your own? Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure your project goes as smoothly as possible!
- Check out the Dollar Tree – If you want a budget-friendly way to put this survival kit together, check out the Dollar Tree. There, you can find plastic bins and many items you might need for your kit.
- Check The Travel Area – All of the items that you pick for your kit, do not need to be full size. To save on space and to fit more items into your plastic bin, check the travel area to see if you can get a smaller version of your products.
- Dress Up Your Plastic Bin – If you want to add more pizzazz to your plastic bin, you can break out your Cricut machine and make some fun labels! You could even add a custom monogram!
6 More College Projects & Resources
Did you love this college survival kit and are looking for more college projects and resources? Then check out the ideas below!
- Healthy College Care Package
- College Dorm Must Haves from Amazon
- Finals Survival Kit — a college care package!
- College Gift Basket
- DIY Lap Desk
- Back to College Gift
ohhh, how I remember when Jamie went away to college. It was tough to drive home 3 hours and leave her behind. My only saving grace was IM and emails. Cell phones weren’t the main source of communication back in the day (12 years ago)
Good luck to you both. I know it’s going to be tough, but as parents, it’s our job to send them on their way. 🙁
gail
My guys are so little… it scares me to think of them leaving the nest one day! I still remember when my mom dropped me off at college. We drove there, unpacked the car, toured the campus, grabbed a bite to eat… and then she was on the road again. I walked back into my dorm room, closed the door and BAWLED! It isn’t just mommas who have a tough time letting go! 😉
I would add cotton balls and q-tips if she doesn’t use them in her beauty routine. Good for sharing the ointments etc. Perhaps something for digestive issues. You both will survive this transition!
What an awesome idea! My cousin just left for college I should make her one of these baskets… all things she could always use!
I just did a post on a care package party a friend hosted. I just moved over to wordpress.. would love a visit and new follow! I lost all my followers!!! http://imnotatrophywife.com
I know this was posted almost a year ago, and my kids aren’t anywhere near entering college (just starting 2nd & K), but I had to add Bug Spray and anti-itch cream. These college students are going to be walking through the grass a lot and (if they are anything like my dd) that means the potential for many bug bites! Hope this helps someone.
I would also suggest ace bandages. I have rolled my ankles so many times from walking up and down hills and working out. It’s always safe to have one for wrist or ankle injuries that you can’t get in right away a doctor to check them out. I have as a college freshman used it to more times then I should
Love this page, my daughter is currently attending a college near home but is transferring in the fall, so she will be moving into an apartment with three other girls. I am so sad, but know I must let her go and do everything possible to make this transition as easy as possible. Will use these ideas….Thanks all…