Here we go again! With Whit heading off to college next year, I’m revisiting some of the college prep gifts I put together for John three years ago. This time around, I have the benefit of having a college kid for three years, which means I have a much better idea of what actually gets used, what doesn’t and what I’d do differently!
One of the most practical gifts I made for John was a fully stocked first aid and medicine cabinet. It certainly wasn’t the most exciting thing to unwrap, but it was one of those gifts that I knew would come in handy once he was living away from home. And after three years, I can confidently say it was a good idea!
When I first started this little project for John, I was putting together a series of college prep gifts to help him get ready for dorm life. You can read about the original gift series here, including lots of wonderful suggestions from readers in the comments.
Class of 2027 – 12 Gifts on the 27th
August: Packing & Moving
September: Laundry
October: First Aid & Medicine Cabinet
The idea behind this particular gift was simple. I went through our medicine cabinet at home and made a list of the things we regularly reach for, from Band-Aids and pain relievers to cold medicine and a thermometer. Then I bought smaller quantities of each to create a little home-away-from-home medicine cabinet.
I mostly purchased store brands, checked expiration dates and tried to think through the everyday situations that might come up when I wasn’t just down the hall to help.
For Whit, I’m following the same general approach, but I’ve trimmed the list based on what John actually used over the last three years. There’s no reason to buy a bunch of things that will just sit untouched until they expire!
Here’s a look at the basics I’m including in Whit’s kit. It’s not intended to be an exhaustive list, and every family will have different needs and preferences, but hopefully it will give you a good starting point.
- Band-Aids
- Antibiotic ointment
- Wound cleaning spray
- Gauze and rolled bandages
- Medical tape
- Tylenol and Advil
- Cold medicine and cough drops
- Pepto-Bismol
- Allergy medicine
- Eye drops
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Thermometer
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Disposable gloves
- Hand sanitizer
- Cotton balls
- Narcan
One item I feel particularly strongly about including is Narcan. One of my closest friends is passionate about educating parents about it, and I’m so thankful for what I’ve learned from her. While I certainly don’t condone drug use, the reality is that you never know when you might be in a position to save someone’s life. On John’s freshman move-in day, I made a point of telling his roommates and pretty much anyone else who would listen exactly where to find it in his medicine cabinet. I did the same thing sophomore and junior years, and you can bet I’ll do it again when we move Whit into college. I sincerely hope neither of my boys ever needs it, but if having it on hand could save someone’s life, that’s reason enough for me.
One of my biggest recommendations is to start your shopping list early and add to it over a few weeks. You’ll inevitably think of things as you go about your normal routine. I also recommend buying smaller packages and checking expiration dates so you aren’t sending a whole collection of products that will expire before they’re needed. Be sure your student knows how to use the items safely, too.
Now, for one of the changes I’m making the second time around!
For John, I used clear stacking bins with lids that simply rested on top. They looked great and worked well enough initially, but after three moves in three years, we’ve learned that a lid that actually snaps into place is much more practical!
For Whit, I’m switching to stackable storage tubs from Target with secure snap-on lids. They’ll be easier to pack, move and store, which is something I didn’t fully appreciate the first time around. College life involves a surprising amount of packing and unpacking!
I still remember John’s reaction when he received his kit. He told me he’d already been thinking about how he needed to put something like this together and was worried about how much it would cost. It made me so happy to know that something so simple could take one more thing off his plate.
And that’s really the whole idea behind these college prep gifts. They’re not necessarily flashy or exciting, but they’re useful little pieces of home that make the transition to college life just a bit easier.
It’s hard to believe I’m preparing to send my baby off to college. I feel like we were just doing all of this for John! I’m thankful to have a little experience under my belt this time, and I’m looking forward to sharing more of what I’ve learned as we get Whit ready for his next chapter.
Class of 2027, here we come!
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