College Survival Kit
A College Survival Kit is a perfect gift or DIY project for a soon-to-be college student. Some kits are cute with puns and tags. Others are a collection of items for a dorm room. This college survival kit is meant to go in the bottom of a backpack or in the car of a college student to have on the run when emergencies arise.
Whether they are in desperate need of a snack or cup of coffee, have unexpectantly started their period, or have a splitting headache, this college survival kit will be there for them when they need it.
For more DIY Going Away to College Gift Ideas: DIY Graduation Gifts
For fun care package ideas for an entire year: Care Package Ideas

College Survival Kit
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How to Make a College Survival Kit
I started with this clear makeup bag I found on Amazon. It came in a set of three, which is handy if you are making gifts for several people. I was looking for something small enough for a backpack or car console. I also liked that I could easily apply a label to a clear bag as opposed to a fabric bag. The clear bags can also be taken into an NCAA sporting event that requires clear bags.
Your college survival kit does not have to have a label, but when it is given as a gift, it dresses it up. I made the label with my Cricut machine.

College Survival Kit List:
Acetaminophen or other pain reliever: In case of the sudden onset of a headache or other pain.
Hair Ties: Sometimes a hair tie breaks or it is windy outside or a college girl just decides she wants to pull her hair up.
Tissues: Tissues can be used in an emergency to wipe up a small spill, help fix smeared makeup, or for their original purpose, to wipe a nose.
Feminine Products: No explanation needed. Periods come sometimes at very inconvenient times!
A Small Healthy Snack: A college girl may find herself in need of a snack between classes or when she absolutely cannot break away from studying or a group project.
Lip Balm: Chapped lips are no fun.
Nail File: Nails break and start snagging on everything. A nail file can be a really handy item in a pinch.
Safety Pins: Loose hem, button that won’t stay buttoned, blouse that is showing more than you thought when you left the dorm….
Band-Aids: For a cut finger or shoes that are blistering a heel.
Starbucks Gift Card: Sometimes a cup of their favorite beverage is an emergency and what is a college student to do if she is out of money. The college survival kit to the rescue!!
Hand Sanitizer: Fortunately we are not still in a pandemic. My original kit included extra masks. Hand sanitizer is still nice to have, though.
College Survival Kit Supplies
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Buy Now →Other Items to include in a College Survival Kit
Antacid tablets
Pen/Pencil/Highlighter
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Buy Now →College survival kits make wonderful graduation gifts. You can make them in bulk to give to all of the graduates on your list who are heading to college
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