Ideas for a student survival box!

Valli

Whatever you buy for them in the detergent/cleaner/soap dept make it savers(ie supermarket cheapest own brand)/aldi/lidl

because then when (IF!) they have to replace it they will go with the cheap brand they 'know and love' - and you have given them an education in moneysaving!

HeCo

Lots of stock cubes- they can transform a home made meal.

*Robin*

Interesting thread. Asked DS what he would have liked to find in such a 'survival box' - he's about to begin his final year, so was wondering what he considered most useful or missing from the supplies he was actually sent off with. Having given the question due thought, his list is as follows:
1. A new laptop (actually that was a celebratory gift for being offered an unconditional place - so not strictly speaking part of a survival kit, but nevertheless he said it made the most difference to the start of his uni life).
2. A set of neat, colour-coded files for keeping hand-written notes in.
3. A decent smart 'phone where he keeps track of appointments and reminders (he already had this).
4. Cash!
5. A good cook-book (gave him "Poor Cook" which is probably outdated now, but has long been one of my own favourites for eating on a budget).

..When I suggested some of the other things already listed by posters here, he said no - a boxful of supplies would have taken away much of the fun of discovering local shops and sharing experiences with his fellow students; making their own mistakes, even choosing their own mugs was part of the adventure of growing up!
After further thought, DS said a charge-card or gift voucher for the main book shop would have been a really useful 'survival' item - far better than a mountain of supplies from 'home'!

ps. Perhaps should add that DS didn't live in halls for his first year (he'd taken a gap so was technically a mature student).

happyandcontented

Great ideas thanks, and this thread has made the weekly newsletter. Fame at last!

Any more ideas?

CapricornLass

I don't know if they still do them, but Sainsbury's did a student food card, where the parent could load it up with money at home, and the student could spend it on food in Sainsbury near uni. (I seem to remember that alcohol and cigarettes were specifically not covered by the card). We called it the baked bean card after the picture on the front. Useful when they've spent all their money by week 4 - which they will because its part of growing up- you can bail them out a bit and know that a) they won't starve* b) the money won't be taken away from them by the bank to pay off the overdraft/used for something else instead.

* not too much, of course, Learning that if you don't budget properly you have to live on a diet of baked beans, rice and baked potatoes for a week/fortnight is also part of growing up!

happyandcontented

I have just thought of some more ideas; pack of mixed birthday cards, doorstop.

I ordered a student cook book from ebay and it arrived this morning, it looks good and there are pics to show what the end result should look like!

Jagraf

Earplugs, condoms, mouthwash, foot spray, room spray, spot cream, face wash, trackie bottoms, hot water bottle, water bottle, hangover stuff, light bulbs, pillow cases, plasters, over door hooks.