Health Essentials for Every College Student to Pack

For students leaving for college, the focus for packing is usually on how to decorate their new dorm and what outfits to bring along.

It’s also important to have a well-stocked health kit to bring along. It’s easy to take things like over-the-counter pain medication, cold and flu medicines, and bathroom essentials for granted while living at home – until you need them at school.

“Sometimes you don’t know what you need until you’re in the situation,” said Selma Mujezinovic, DNP, FNP-C, who works on our Family Medicine Practice on the Rochester Institute of Technology campus. “If you wake up with a sore throat in the middle of the night, it’s better to have something on hand than go out and find it at a store.”

Personal hygiene

Think about what you use when you first wake up, after you exercise, and before you go to bed. That thought process will help to guide your packing list. Some of these items might include:

• Toothbrush/toothpaste and floss
• Deodorant
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Soap and/or body wash
• Shaving razors and shaving cream/gel
• Menstrual products
• Brush/comb
• Glasses and glasses case/contacts and contact lens case
• Shower shoes

Over-the-counter medications

Whether it’s seasonal allergies, an annoying headache, or a virus that’s making its way through the campus, having a well-stocked health kit can make life just a little bit easier when you’re away from home and need to feel better.

Consider bringing these items along to help your body heal:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil)
• Acid reducer
• Allergy medicine (Zyrtec, Claritin, Benadryl)
• Cold medicine
• Eye drops
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Oral pain gel (OraJel)
• Pepto-Bismol, Tums to soothe upset stomach

First aid items

In case of a cut, scrape, or bruise, consider bringing these items along:

• Alcohol wipes/antiseptic wipes
• Bandage wrap
• Bandaids
• Cotton balls/swabs
• Gauze
• Ice pack
• Medical tape
• Scissors
• Tweezers

Miscellaneous health items

These are a few things that students might need that are not technically considered necessities, but are still useful.

• Condoms/Plan B
• COVID-19 test kits
• Digital thermometer
• Hand sanitizer
• Throat lozenges
• Tissues

“Being away from home in a college environment is both exciting and anxiety inducing,” Mujezinovic said. “Having these items ready allows you to be one step closer to being independent and feeling ready to be on your own at college.”