If there’s an article that can help you be a well-prepared mom friend, this is it.
- Electronics
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Of course, going to class with something to take notes with is very important. Instead of notebooks and binders, I opt just for the all-encompassing laptop. This way, when I leave my dorm in the morning, I don’t have to come back until after dinner— which is just how I like it! When the battery gets low on my computer or phone, I also always have a charger for both so I can keep going.
- Water Bottle
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When I’m on the go all day, I need access to some water; so I don’t pass out in the library. This has also come in handy with the dreaded non-covid cough going around campus. Whether it’s a tickle in your throat or just a genuine thirst, it’s such a relief to have my water bottle handy.
- Gum or mints
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There is nothing worse than sitting in a two-hour lecture with a mask on when you have bad breath. It feels like you’re suffocating underneath the stench of your lunch from Bullet. I’m actually kind of extra, and I have two options in my bag! I have a Bob Ross novelty mint tin and a flavored Icebreakers container. This is all an opportunity to be a great friend; there’s always going to be someone asking for gum or a mint, and they will remember your kind gesture.
- Sunglasses
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Hasn’t it been unnecessarily sunny lately? I feel like every time I leave my dorm, I am immediately blinded by sunlight. What’s worse is that staring at my computer or phone every day just hurts my eyes even more. It’s nice to pull out sunglasses to give my eyes a break. It also helps me feel that much more mysterious when I pass a touring family.
- Period Supplies
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McKnight may have some supplies, but it is good to be prepared for an unexpected attack. Other buildings may not have these supplies, and it’s tiring to track down a tampon. It’s also great to have something handy for someone else.
- Hand Sanitizer and Tissues
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Cough cough Covid much? Random flu? A girl needs to protect herself from the germs around us. If the past year and a half have taught me anything, it is that this world is disgusting. Plus, having a runny nose in a mask is something you don’t want to experience. Handy tissues can touch anything, clean up any mess, and save you from sickness.
Of course, there’s also my phone, wallet, keys, AirPods, and mask. It can be easy to forget one of these items at home and spend the rest of the day wishing you had them, so I make sure that they are always in my big tote bag.