After a long day at college, one of the best feelings is checking your mailbox and seeing that a package has arrived. Right now is perhaps the most stressful time in college. It’s cold, finals are starting and all you can think about is going home for winter break. A care package would sure help get you through this period. That leaves me wondering: what would be the perfect care package? Here’s what I came up with:
1. Fuzzy Socks
A cozy and soft pair of socks are the perfect things to slip on after a long (freezing) day of classes.
2. Portable Charger
Finals week means that you are constantly using your computer to study for all your tests. Having a portable charger on you guarantees that your devices will never die (unlike me, who walked all the way to the library only to have my laptop die within five minutes of being there).
3. Study Snack
Having a tasty snack to eat while doing work could be just the thing to motivate me to study. I could, of course, just buy a treat from the campus market, but having it come from home just makes it a whole lot more enjoyable (and tasty).
4. Gift Card
This gift card could be to anywhere on campus, such as the Barnes and Noble or a favorite food store. After taking your tests, use your gift card as reward.
5. Oil Diffuser
Having one of these is definitely a game changer. Fill it with water and add some drops of your oil scents, and immediately make your room smell amazing. You could put in a peppermint scent to help energize you, or lavender to help calm you down.
6. A Note from Home
Out of all the items, I think this is most important. While material items can help, hearing great advice and encouragement from your family or friends might be all the boost you need.
While I was imagining the perfect (and practical) care package, I started dreaming of a fantasy care package. It’s what I would want if money was no object and my dorm room had all the space in the world. Here’s what made the list:
7. Oven/Stove Top
Right now, pretty much the only things I can make in the dorm are microwave mac and cheese, oatmeal and hot chocolate. If I had an oven and stove, I could make whatever I wanted.
8. Flat-Screen TV
Having a big TV in my room would be perfect for my friends and I to watch holiday movies on cold nights.
9. Christmas Tree
I’m not talking about a small tree that could fit on my windowsill. I’m talking about a real tree. It’s difficult to get into the festive spirit when our room isn’t fully decorated. Having a tree decked out in ornaments would be the perfect touch.
10. Treadmill
Some days, I just don’t feel like walking to the gym in near-freezing weather. However, I would be much more motivated to work out if I had an actual treadmill in my room. All I would have to do is roll out of bed and hop right on.
11. A Massage
Anyone else’s back killing them from constantly being hunched over a desk or slinging a heavy backpack on? Having a massage would help me (and my back) out as I prepare for finals.
Now that I’ve got you thinking about a care package for yourself, here are a couple websites that you can forward to your mom with a big “hint, hint” message or a sly wink emoji: Hip Kits, Love from the Nest, Care Packages, and Our Campus Market.
While most care package companies focus on food, you could give your parents your own wish list. For example:
12. Stress Ball
If you’re stressed out from studying biomedical engineering, you might like a stress ball to squeeze (no brainpower required).
13. Board Games
Maybe you are just craving simple fun. There are a ton of fun games that you could play with friends, such as Scribblish (one of my personal favorites), Apples to Apples or Cards Against Humanity.
14. Coloring Book
Another great way to de-stress is coloring. Although it sounds like something you did in elementary school, filling in a coloring book is a great way to get your mind off things and just relax.
15. Yoga Mat
You can also ask for a yoga mat. I have one in my dorm now, and it’s so nice and convenient to pull out when I want to stretch and clear my mind.
16. Self-Care Products
If you know that you are going to be up late, ask for face masks or under-eye cream; these products are a great way to help you not wake up with dark bags under your eyes. Chapstick is also another great item to keep your lips hydrated in the dry winter. The winter season is long, and exams are tough. Let’s hope we all get a care package to make it more bearable.
