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Graduation is right around the corner and that means receptions, cake, and gifts!  We all know it’s easier to just grab a gift card or cash and take a card, but sometimes, that just isn’t personal enough.  It is a rare graduate who gets gifts these days, and an even rarer graduate who knows what they need to take to college with them.  That’s why I have created the Dorm Life Survival Kit Gift for those kids that deserve that “something special.”

Dorm Kit Survival Kit Contents:

Laundry

Nobody wants a smelly college student!  We all know those college kids that bring a month’s worth of laundry home to mom, but not everyone can go that long, so laundry is a necessity.  Think detergent and dryer sheets.  Plus, get a laundry basket to put all these great survival kit items in and wrap with a big bow!

Check out this pop-up mesh laundry basket from Amazon:

Food

Every dorm room needs microwaveable macaroni and cheese, microwaveable popcorn, Poptarts, and ramen.  Snacks are a must, especially those first few days when the dining hall is scary or there are a few late nights of freedom away from the parents.  Crystal Light or Hawaiian Punch pouches are great for hiding the taste of new water, too!

Check out this 12-pack of Cup O Noodles.

Eating Utensils

College kids need a set of paper plates, plastic silverware, red Solo cups, and a bottle opener/can opener for bottles of root beer, of course.

This manual can opener will come in handy, for sure.

Bedding

Possibly the most important activity to a college student is sleeping!  Lofted or not, college kids need an XL long twin sheet set, a fresh, new pillow to survive 4 years, and most importantly, and often forgotten, a mattress pad!  College dorm room mattresses are not known for quality or comfort!

This mattress pad gets great reviews and comes in both regular twin and XL twin.

Bed Accessories

Lofted, or not, college students need a mini fan.  Fans help ventilation in rooms that might not have the best heating and air, but they also block out all the extra dorm room noises.  Ear buds are another good option, but not the best for long-term hearing.  A nearby night light is helpful for climbing-out-of-bed emergencies and a bed caddy that can be attached to the headboard for holding books, magazines, ear buds, pepper spray, phone, etc.

This cool fan comes in a variety of colors to match any dorm decor.

Bathing Items

Community showers are a whole new world to most college students.  Shampoos, conditioners, deodorants are more a personal choice, so I stick to the other details like a shower caddy to haul everything to the shower, a flashlight in case of emergency, a bath sheet (the bigger the better to scurry back to their rooms) or a shower wrap, a shower cap/long hair wrap (a cool new invention since we were kids), and flip-flops because nobody’s sure how often that floor gets cleaned!

This super cute and useful shower caddy will come in handy for sure.

Class Supplies

Since you probably aren’t buying their laptop, it might still be a good idea to give them a few pens, pencils, highlighters, notebooks, a Sharpie, and definitely Post-It Notes for leaving roommates messages, reminders of assignments due, and notes.

These neon post-it notes will be loved by any college student!

Piece of Home

Possibly the most important piece of any dorm room is having it feel like home.  That requires picture frames for them to take the family and friends with them and lots of Command hooks for wall décor and organizers.  I’ve been told you can’t have a dorm room without Command hooks.

ID Holder

Everyone needs a lanyard, case, or adhesive pocket to place on their phone to keep their college I.D.  It’s a staple to navigating campus, but don’t be afraid to put an emergency $10 bill in there, too.  All it takes is an ID not working for a day to throw a college kid completely off their game!

This Vera Bradley ID Case with Lanyard is adorable and would make any college girl happy.

Inspiration

Be sure to add an extra book of advice, quotes, or photo album.  Nobody gets through college without a little love behind them!

This dictionary print with a quote from Benjamin Franklin makes a cool dorm room decoration and gives some great motivation too.

And, just remember, Amazon can have this on your doorstep in 2 days ready for you to wish the graduate in your life a Happy Graduation and a Magnificent Freshman Year!