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

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

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.

Other Items to include in a College Survival Kit

Antacid tablets

Mini multitool

Breath mints

Mini sewing kit

Sticky notes

Pen/Pencil/Highlighter

Tide stain remover pen

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

Related posts for College Survival Kit:

25 Brilliant Dorm Room Ideas and Shopping Tips

9 College Backpack Essentials

College Dorm Room Shopping List

College Dorm Storage Ideas

College Move-In Day Checklist

DIY College First Aid Kit

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