It’s the start of September, so for many of us we have a sibling, child or good friend who has headed off to college. Whether it’s the first time of the fourth time they are moving in that direction, it’s always great to let your loved one know they are missed.

And especially for the first timers, those first weeks can be some of the most difficult. Everything is new and a little scary. New roommates, new teachers, new school, new classes, new (not so appetizing) meal options, new routine, new everything.

That’s where the creative college care packages comes in! Sending the college student a little love in the form of a box of goodies is always a simple and easy way to brighten their day.

 

The Essentials College Care Package:

(Perfect for that first timer who you isn’t sure will remember to buy the essentials, or who might not know where to find them on campus)

• Box of tissues - the little square boxes are a good size for those tiny dorm rooms
• Disposable razor - the Schick Quattro would be my preference since it gives a great shave but is still economical and disposable.
• Sticky notes - these are perfect for reminder notes, messages to the roommate and holding a place in their books.
• Pack of pens - go with something a couple steps up from the basic bulk black pen. Something with some color or a little flair.
• Granola bars - a snack on the go can be crucial those first weeks when students are still learning their schedules and the locations of the dining halls.
• Caffeine - absolutely essential, in whatever form the student prefers… soda, coffee, energy drinks… this will keep them moving when they suddenly realize staying up till 3am wasn’t the smartest idea on a Tuesday night.
• Reusable water bottle - great for staying hydrated while running from class to class, and with all the different designs and brands out there it’s easy to find one that fits the personality of your loved one.
• Notecards - studying all those pesky new vocab terms can be overwhelming. Notecards makes it simple.
• Headphones - I can’t even begin to tell you the number of headphones I went through those years in college. They were always getting shoved to the bottom of my bag and then ripped apart. Oops.

The Nostalgic College Care Package:

(Perfect for the super sappy sender or receiver - a great way to remember the good times and look forward to making new ones.)

• Self-addressed, stamped envelopes - You want them to write you, help them out. I didn’t know where to find stamps on campus for months when I first got up to Milwaukee.
• Framed picture of you and the student - Frames are super inexpensive and it’s always great to have an image of the people who mean the most to you.
• Gratitude journal - sure, it’s a new trend but in those first weeks sometimes things look a little overwhelming and bleak. It’s awesome to take a moment and think of things to be grateful for.
• Inside joke - maybe it’s a favorite movie, a quote, a magazine, something that will get the college kid laughing.
• Handwritten note - a typed letter or email is great, but a handwritten note goes a lot further in impacting another. Share a favorite memory or a piece of advice. Get personal.
• Favorite food - it’s always great to get food that you didn’t have to buy, but when someone remembers your favorite candy or soft drink that’s even better.
• List of to-dos for the next time you’re together - a detailed, fun, or artistic list of the things you will do the next time you are getting face-to-face time can be a great little connector.

 

 

 

The Shower Caddie Care Package:

(Since this is pretty much the most essential item for dorm living, beyond the bedding, this is a great way to upgrade what they may have taken and keep them supplied for the semester.)

• Shower caddie - it needs to be large enough to hold all the shower supplies, but small enough to transport back and forth from the student’s room to the showers.
• Favorite shampoo and conditioner - everyone has a favorite brand and scent, something that has become a little like their signature scent. Go with that.
• A loofah - these things are easier to hang in the shower and easier to transport than the traditional washcloth. Plus, they come in fun colors.
• Body wash - try something a little unique or different, a brand or scent that the college student wouldn’t thing to splurge on with their limited monthly resources.
• Waterproof speakers - maybe this isn’t for the public bathroom, but if they are lucky enough to have an in-room bathroom, these little beauties are awesome.
• Shower flip-flops - no one, and I literally mean NO ONE, should step barefoot into those tubs or showers. Who knows what came before. UGH. Flip-flops are the answer.
• Disposable razor - as essential as the soap, I also go with the Schick brand disposable razors. My latest favorite is the Schick Quattro; plus it comes with a handy little suction cup to hold it in place in the shower, that makes it perfect for dorm living.

 

The Movie-Themed Care Package:

(Perfect for the movie buff, or really anyone who loves to kick-back and catch a good flick as a way of relaxing.)

• Movie - (duh) one, multiples around a theme, a whole series, how ever you decide to start this care package a movie is the key.
• Microwave popcorn - the dorms have microwaves, but not much else, so a great box of microwave popcorn can go a long way.
• Candy - and lots of it! The classic movie-theater style candy boxes are inexpensive and easy to come by.
• Comfy pajamas - let’s be honest, movies are watched at any time of the day or night in college but most often they are a middle of the night event. Comfy pajamas to lounge in are essential while catching a favorite flick.
• Theater tickets - what’s even better than lounging in your room to a movie, catching one on the big screen with surround sound.

The best part?? All of these things, especially the Schick Quattro disposable razors, can be purchased at your local Wal-Mart.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Schick®. The opinions and text are all mine.

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