Ideas for Fun Emergency Kit for College Freshman

Updated on November 20, 2012
H.W. asks from Portland, OR
14 answers

A dear young friend of mine is off at college and I'm going to send her a fun-but-useful 'emergency' kit. Here are my ideas:

Stitch-Witch fusible tape (for instant hems/repairs)
Emer-gen-C packets
Neosporin and Bandaids
phone card
emergency chocolate (yum!)
small Advil
scotch tape
a couple binder clips (multiple uses)
small flashlight
a couple ballpoint pens, black ink

I'm contemplating a 'stain stick'--any recommendations? Any other suggestions, or anything you think on my proposed list which is totally redundant to what she likely has? Thanks in advance!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! We have a nice little kit to send a sweet young woman back to school with!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sharpies
Ear plugs (in case sharing a room w/a snorer)
masking tape, too
pack of notecards
small notepad for around the house
small whiteboard w/dry erase pens
Top Ramen
Hot cocoa packets
Coffee (ground) if she has a kitchen or coffee pot in room
hot plate (if allowed)
batteries
sm sewing kit
warm woolie socks
scarf
can of chips
pretzels
cute blanket (they sell them for $5 in some places)

4 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.E.

answers from Wichita Falls on

Starbucks gift card (caffeine)
Homemade goodies (cookies, fudge, etc)
Funny/goofy picture you found that is connected to a fun memory
Open in case of emergency 'you can do it' card

5 moms found this helpful

J.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

i was going to say condoms too=) a hangover kit?
i;d vote for motrin and not advil=)

5 moms found this helpful

X.O.

answers from Chicago on

Cup o Ramen
Midol/Pamprin
Baseball cap for bad hair/overslept for class days

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.F.

answers from Dallas on

Command hooks. They are kind of pricy but good for hanging up stuff.

3 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Small Multi tool kit.
First class Stamps
Tums /mint tea - calms the tummy
Chamomile tea - cramps

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Duct tape (fun colors/patterns)
Band aids in some fun pattern
Candy/chocolate
Command strips/hooks.

We sent my SD stick on mustaches (it's a "thing"), colorful bobby pins and straws recently.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.G.

answers from New York on

First thing I thought of was ramen noodles too (although this assumes she can boil water in the dorm).
And I like the idea of ear-plugs!
I used a lot of high-lighter pens when I was in school.
Duct tape is always useful (and kind of funny).

You are a nice friend!

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from San Francisco on

That's a great idea. Throw in a couple more "fun" things that a girl would like, while you're at it.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Tide, has a good stain stick. I even carry one in my purse and in the car. My son always gets stains everywhere and anywhere he goes! LOL
Its called "Tide To Go."
Or the "Spray n' Wash" stain stick is good too.

Yep, ditto the stamps.
And envelopes. For paying bills and what not.

Pocket sized hand sanitizer
Pocket Kleenex packs

A little sewing kit

Note pads and Post-Its

Multi pack of ball point pens

Refrigerator magnets

Coffee

Insulated cup

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Dallas on

a highlighter
hand sanitizer (wipes or bottle)
screen cleaner for computer
needle/thread (for buttons) or a small emergency sewing kit
allergy meds
small scissors
memo pad/post-it notes
calendar

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

ScanTrons and a bunch of $5 gift cards to all sorts of places including Target and the market. I don't know what the flashlight is for but I think all the other stuff is cool along with a stain stick, chapstick/lip gloss and a small perfume bottle. One the hardest things about college is getting to class in a hurry and sometimes we don't have time to really get ready so a quick makeup kit is nice and hair pins and ties. Depends on her hair and makeup style, ofcourse.

Don't forget gum.

2 moms found this helpful

K.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

a roll of quarters for laundry. several packages of ramon noodles. a pack of socks(when the others are all dirty). waterless shampoo!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.G.

answers from Norfolk on

Prestamped and addressed note cards to send a note to you or mom.
I like the "open in case of emergency" note for encouragement.
Maybe something she can open each month that would apply to that time of the year? That would be if you weren't planning on sending care packages anyway--which I remember as being a real highlight of college. Getting that "you got a package" slip of paper in my mailbox was awesome.

1 mom found this helpful
For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions