Simple Necessities: 8 Care Package Ideas for College Students

There's more to love than Ramen noodles and Doritos.

It's the Little Things - As a student, there’s no greater feeling than receiving a thoughtful, well organized care package waiting in the mail from the ones you love. In fact, there is never a right or wrong time to send a care package because they are genuinely appreciated all year round. If your college student loved one is having a tough semester, needs a quick picker-upper, or just wants to feel the love from home, the ideas we’ve put together will surely do the trick. By Dontaira Terrell (Photo: Tetra Images/Corbis)

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It's the Little Things - As a student, there’s no greater feeling than receiving a thoughtful, well organized care package waiting in the mail from the ones you love. In fact, there is never a right or wrong time to send a care package because they are genuinely appreciated all year round. If your college student loved one is having a tough semester, needs a quick picker-upper, or just wants to feel the love from home, the ideas we’ve put together will surely do the trick. By Dontaira Terrell (Photo: Tetra Images/Corbis)

Toiletry Kit - Next time you’re running your Saturday errands, pick up a bottle of his or her favorite body wash or take advantage of the tubes of toothpaste on sale. We all know students can never have too many body essentials such as towels, mouthwash, face cream, deodorant or laundry detergent. (Photo: Getty Images/Blend Images RM)

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Toiletry Kit - Next time you’re running your Saturday errands, pick up a bottle of his or her favorite body wash or take advantage of the tubes of toothpaste on sale. We all know students can never have too many body essentials such as towels, mouthwash, face cream, deodorant or laundry detergent. (Photo: Getty Images/Blend Images RM)

You Are Self Medicating - Drinking, smoking, eating or gambling might make you feel better in the short term, but they won’t solve the problems that are driving you to escape, and might even make them worse.  (Photo: Camarena/Image Source/Corbis)

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A Bit of Home - Leaving behind old friends and abandoning your comfort zone to adjust to college life can be tough. What better way to receive a taste from home than receiving a package filled with personal photos, memorabilia — like letters from you and any other relatives — plus food and snacks from your hometown favorites? (Photo: Jochen Tack/imageBROKER/Corbis)

A Personal Touch - What a great feeling to receive a sign of reassurance that you’re thought of, loved and appreciated. Sending a card or letter is easy, cost effective and convenient. It’s also the most heartfelt, because receiving a meaningful handwritten message just to say, “I miss you,” “thinking of you” or “you got this,” always puts a smile on someone’s face. (Photo: JGI/Blend Images/Corbis)

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A Personal Touch - What a great feeling to receive a sign of reassurance that you’re thought of, loved and appreciated. Sending a card or letter is easy, cost effective and convenient. It’s also the most heartfelt, because receiving a meaningful handwritten message just to say, “I miss you,” “thinking of you” or “you got this,” always puts a smile on someone’s face. (Photo: JGI/Blend Images/Corbis)

woman carrying gifts

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The Gift of Giving - As kids, holidays were probably the best days of the year because gift giving was a guarantee, but as you make the transition into adulthood it becomes less likely. Receiving an Easter basket, Halloween candy, a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day or gifts from a student’s wish list on Christmas allows them to feel like a kid at heart all over again. So mark your calendars and don’t forget birthdays are considered holidays, too. (Photo: Graeme Worsfold/Getty Images)

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Get Well Soon - Avoiding sickness throughout your college career is impossible because germs spread rapidly on college campuses. We know — gross. Making matters worse is being away from home and unable to receive the proper caring and attention one wants and needs in order to get better. Sending a care package filled with soup, pain medication, Vitamin C, a get well card and other remedies to overcome the sickness bug will have him or her feeling better in no time. (Photo: Blasius Erlinger/Getty Images)

Binge on Good TV - You know that show you’ve been dying to watch, but have never gotten around to catching? Dedicate a weekend to just lounging around in front of the TV with your some yummy snacks, bubbly drinks and your favorite delivery service on standby. If you’d like some company, invite your friends or romantic interest over for an intimate screening.(Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Movie Night - Packing up and shipping off a box of his or her favorite movies filled with popcorn and snacks is a small gesture that’ll go a long way. Usually, students are on a strict budget and make plans based on their bank accounts. Whether they decide to stay in solo or have movie night with friends, popping in a DVD is budget friendly, simple and never gets old. (Photo: Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

Sign Up for Free Memberships and Newsletters - Your favorite designers and retailers all offer loyalty programs and email newsletters. If you haven’t signed up for them, you’re tripping. Why? They are generally full of info on sales — including some that are exclusive for members. Sign up and save.  (Photo: 735/Paul Bradbury/Ocean/Corbis)

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Money Talks - If you’re unsure about what to send or don’t have the time to strategically put together a gift basket, don’t worry! Dropping a few dollars or a gift card in the mail will definitely have a student screaming for joy and scrambling to the nearest store. Sending rolls of quarters is a life-saver, too, to help with laundry and vending machine money. (Photo:  John Smith/Corbis)

Stop Waiting Until the Last Minute - If you know that a test or quiz is coming, don’t wait until the night before to start studying. Read and take notes bit-by-bit for a week before the test. This way you are less stressed and way more prepared. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Smart Thinking - Whether it’s the start of a new semester or finals time, students can become overwhelmed and stressed. Sending things to get them to relax, like a good novel, new music or favorite magazines, will free their minds for a few hours and can also make a big difference in their morale and motivation.