Whether your student is just starting at Missouri State and moving in to the residence halls, or they are an upperclassman and are moving in to an apartment, a first aid kit is a great and very useful gift to give your student. You as the family member know what they like when it comes to cough drops, headache medicine and band-aids. You’ve purchased these items for your student for the first 18, 19, 20 years of their life. Who better to put together a kit that has everything they need? Plus, this kit will save them from 1) having to run to the store and get the items they need (just as a note, the Magers Health & Wellness Center Pharmacy also has the items they need when they aren’t feeling good), 2) borrowing from friends and 3) feeling really bad (especially if they wake up in the middle of the night not feeling well).

So what should go in the first aid kit? Logan Harrod, a 2018 Student Orientation Specialist, shared with me a photo of the kit his mother put together for him. Here are some of the things in the kit:

Band-aids
Thermometer
Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen
Cough drops
Antacids
Chloraseptic
Cold medicine
Instant ice packs
Hydrogen peroxide
Chap stick
sunscreen
Bug repellent
Anbesol
A travel toothpaste and toothbrush
Saline nasal spray
Vaporub
Neosporin
Nail clippers and file
scissors
Hydrocortisone cream
Tweezers
Antifungal cream and powder
Aloe Vera Gel
Warm pack or heating pad
Calamine lotion
Pepto-Bismol
Allergy medicine
Hand sanitizer
Kleenex

And the list could go on and on and on. Like I mentioned, you know your student better than anyone so you know what would be best to put in the kit. Your student might not seem very excited about the kit when they get it, but trust me, they will appreciate it and you when they need something that’s in the kit.

If you have a question to Ask Priscilla, email pchildress@missouristate.edu.