Back to Campus: What Your Student Actually Needs This Fall

As August rolls in, the shopping lists start piling up – extra-long sheets, a mini fan, laundry pods. But beyond the usual dorm essentials, there are a few things most parents overlook.

We’re not talking about stuff from Target.
We’re talking about what actually helps students succeed once the semester gets going.

Here’s what we suggest your student bring to campus, not just to settle in, but to start strong:

1. A Way to Plan Their Week (That Isn’t Just a Calendar App)

College students are managing classes, labs, study groups, workouts, dining hall hours, and more. And they’re doing it without the structure they had in high school.

Whether it’s a paper notebook, a dry erase board, or a digital system that makes sense to them, they need a method for seeing the week ahead and making time for what matters, before the chaos starts.

Pro tip: If your student doesn’t know how to build a weekly schedule around class blocks and assignments, that’s something we teach in coaching.

2. An Actual Alarm Clock

Yes, old school. But a real alarm clock (not a phone under the pillow) helps students avoid late mornings, doomscrolling at night, and missed classes.
This small change often makes a big difference in how they start their day.

3. Noise-Canceling Headphones or Earplugs

Dorms and apartments aren’t exactly quiet. If your student needs focus to study, or just wind down, a pair of quality headphones or even a stash of earplugs can help create the right kind of space.

4. A System for Managing Deadlines

Most professors aren’t going to remind your student about what’s due or when. The syllabus is the roadmap, but if they never check it, they’re driving blind.

Help your student figure out a system that works for them:

• Color-coded Google Calendar?
  
• Weekly checklist taped to the wall?
  
• Sticky note reminders over the desk?
  

It doesn’t have to be fancy… it just has to be used.

5. Something Visual for Task Management

Not everything lives on a screen. A whiteboard, wall calendar, or even a post-it system can help students see what’s coming and keep tasks top-of-mind.

When students have a place to see their thoughts, they’re less likely to forget them.

6. Tools to Support Sleep & Stress

The shift to college life is exciting, and overwhelming. A few simple supports can help them settle in:

• A refillable water bottle (hydration helps everything)
  
• Basic first aid kit
  
• Vitamin C or immune support
  
• Melatonin (for the first week of adjustment)
  
• A reminder that sleep is not optional
  

7. Support That Goes Beyond Pep Talks

If your student has struggled with procrastination, time management, or accountability before… college won’t magically fix that. In fact, the freedom can make it harder.

That’s where coaching comes in.

Our academic coaching programs teach students how to manage their time, organize their workload, and follow through, without relying on parents to step in.

Fall coaching spots are limited. Book a free discovery call to see if it’s a good fit for your student.

A Final Word for Parents
You’ve probably spent time helping your student pack what they need.
But the real success? It doesn’t come from what’s in the bin.
It comes from what they build once they’re there.

Systems. Confidence. Routine.
Those are the real college essentials.

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