College students eat a lot of junk food while away from home. Sending healthy nonperishable items that they can keep in their dorm rooms -- such as raisins, nuts, pretzels, granola bars or packages of microwaveable popcorn -- can help give them energy while studying and resist less-healthy temptations.
Rolls of quarters can serve more than one purpose for a college student. Many on-campus laundry facilities or off-campus laundromats are still coin-operated. Even if those facilities use smart-card technology, quarters can be useful to have on hand for stops at the vending machine between classes.
Gift cards to campus-area grocery stores, coffee shops or even clothing stores will be welcomed by any college student, many of whom are budgeting for the first time.
With individual computers increasingly required for students, sending ink cartridges can help your student avoid the panic of discovering an empty cartridge while attempting to print a paper just before class. Ink cartridges are also expensive for a college student's budget and thus will be welcomed.
Pictures, letters and even small notes are priceless in a care package and can help ease the homesickness college students may be experiencing. A note from everyone in the family or just one from you often will do the trick.
Shampoo, conditioner, soap and even your college student's favorite lotion can be safely shipped in a care package. These necessary, but sometimes costly, items will help students feel more at home.