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Care Packages: Don't Forget the Little Things!Jul 17 '02 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line A well-planned care package is a welcome as well as useful way to make college life a little easier. The day has come! The apple of your eye is off to school. By now, you know that entire sections of larger department stores are devoted to college needs. These sections are full of the newest in clothes, shoes, trendy decorative items and more. There are even websites, such as carepackages.com, that cater to the college-going crowd. Their packages range from $28.95 up. However, there are some essential items that might be forgotten when shopping for a college student. They are not necessarily the higher-ticket items but important nonetheless. Some may seem trivial at first but can save a student's small budget. Also, a care package from home will be infinitely more appreciated for its personal touches, and will also save more of the valuable time between school, studying, working--and partying. Since most things on campus are time-driven, a dependable alarm clock is a must--preferably an electric one with a battery back-up (saves on the expense of new batteries). If a television set is purchased, one with earphones would be appreciated since it can help with roommate privacy and noise control. Another consideration for the dorm room is bedding. Before purchasing anything in this category, check with the school to find out what size is needed. Those great new sheet sets will be useless if the beds are extra-long and the bedding is standard size. Invest in a few extension cords and an outlet strip. With all the electrical devices being used, the room could soon run out of outlets. Include a supply of batteries for other electronic "stuff". A can opener, basic pots and pans and some plastic containers can also be useful. Though most students don't do a lot of serious cooking, just heating a can of soup can become a problem without these basic tools. Also include one place setting of silverware. Buying a large storage trunk to hold clothes when the student leaves home is a good idea since it can serve double duty as storage for extra items and an extra seat in the dorm room. Phone cards are always a good idea. The prepaid ones are best, since the student's budget might not allow for costly long distance calls. Go online and find some of the free offers that give phone cards as a premium and use these as well. Making telephone calls easier can benefit both the student and the parents. Stamps and envelopes should not be overlooked either, for those times when your child cannot call or would rather write a letter. Cleaning equipment is another expense that can wreck a student's budget, so include a few cleaning cloths, a cheap dustpan, light broom, dishwashing liquid and some trash bags. Food is always welcome. The first few days are hectic, so include some easy-to-fix foods like canned soup, snack crackers, canned foods, peanut butter, microwave popcorn, etc. And, don't forget the coins for those expensive vending machines, parking fees, etc. Many times students do not think about buying health and beauty items beforehand and, by the time they do, they don't have the money. A package with deodorant, soap, shampoo, dental hygiene items, etc. will be well-appreciated. These items can be purchased for very little or nothing, if you happen to be a coupon-user. If not, when items go on sale, set them aside. Sooner than you think, you will have a large amount of what is needed--and at little cost. Keeping the student updated on what is happening at home can help to eliminate homesickness. Pictures of family and friends and copies of your town's newspaper are ways to keep the student in touch. Entertainment can be very expensive so, if possible, include a few free movie tickets or gift cards for movie rentals. Whether your student is leaving home for the first time or returning to school away from home, a care package will always be a welcome arrival.  |
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