My College Girl Survival Kit

College is wild. One moment I'm 100% on top of my homework, and the next I'm blankly staring at my computer screen with an energy drink at 2 am, trying to remember where I got an assignment on the endomembrane system. So today, I'm going to be sharing my ultimate College Girl Survival Kit- all the things that get me through the chaos(while throwing in a little girl-touch and God's grace) Whether you are a freshie finding your rhythm or a seasoned perfectionist running on energy drinks and midnight meltdowns, this kit is for you. 💌

🎒 What’s in My Kit

My survival kit is a mix of things I carry in my backpack and little tote, but also self-care apps I have on my phone, websites on my laptop, to things that are nourushing for our heart, mind, and faith- because taking care of our mental spaces is just as important as the things in our bags. 💗

☁️ For the Brain Fog Days

• Cute but functional planner – because if I don’t write it down, it doesn’t exist. Sometimes planners can be expensive, so I created my own! At the beginning of my first semester, I had bought a big ol' binder and totally forgot about it until the start of this new Spring semester! So a few days before classes started, I got out my art supplies, my extra notebooks, folders, and I combined it all into a personalized planner! I decorated each folder while listening to a podcast, and not only has this binder saved my life, creating it was peaceful and got me excited for the new semester! One thing I did to keep everything orginzed, was in between each notebook that I had clipped in, was a folder listed with the class name, code, room number, and professor name. That has helped LOADS!! You can find these cheap supplies that I mentioned at your local Target or Walmart- I suggest Walmart for the good prices (saving money by going to Walmart may not be aesthetic, but will save you so much $$)

• Sticky notes + pastel highlighters – color-coding = therapy. Investing in a good set of highlighters is definitely worth it. You can find color-coding maps online (psssst Pinterest!) if you don't want to create your own. There's real brain science happening behind those pastel highlighters and rainbow tabs! 🧠💖Think of your brain like a scrapbook — it loves visuals! When you use color, you're giving your brain extra little bookmarks to hold onto. 💭 Fun fact: Psychologists call this "dual coding theory" — your brain processes info better when it’s both written + visual. Go off, science! 🧪✨

• Study apps- These are a few of the apps that have helped me effectively keep all my to-dos in line, study well and motivated, all while keeping that aesthetic college girl vibe we all rave over 🫶

  - Trello: This website is like your personal fairy godplanner 🧚‍♀️ You can make to-do lists, add deadlines, and break big projects into tiny steps — all with cute colors and emojis. Plus, it’s free and you can use it on your phone or laptop anywhere. Perfect for keeping your college life organized and stress-free! Basically, Trello is your new BFF for staying on top of everything without the overwhelmed 💖✨

  
  

  

  Sneak-peek screenshot of Trello from my laptop <3

  - LifeAtSpaces- There is sooo much I could say about this website!! It's free, aesthetic, efficient, and I always find myself more focused using this! It helps you create cute, calm study vibes with ambient sounds, timers, and chill playlists so you can focus and feel inspired anywhere. Perfect for making your study sesh feel soft and productive! It has many many different study space options for your computer so you can "study" in places like a cafe in Rome, in a common room a Hogwarts, Camp Half-Blood, Stark Tower, or even just by a river with the sounds of nature. I use this DAILY! Totally converted and a MUST for you girlies!

Screenshot of my LifeAtSpace <3

💧 For the Body + Soul

• Insulated water bottle with stickers – hydration but ✨aesthetic✨I bought an off-brand Stanley in a cool mint, and throw in my lemonade! Simple, but it works!

• Protein bars or emergency snacks—one thing about me: I will get hangry. Snacks are one thing I always keep in my bag. I know that when I start to get frustrated or lose my focus, I need to refuel!

• Mini bottle of perfume or body spray – for instant confidence boost! When you smell good, you feel good!

  🧣 For the Cozy Comfort

• Oversized hoodie – bonus points if it’s my fave “crying” hoodie

• Noise-canceling headphones/earbuds – block out chaos, cue the power playlist! I never go ANYWHERE without these! Like I have mentioned before, music has played a huge part in my life- my music impacts my mood and motivation more than anything else. So grab your headphones! Pump yourself up! Healing through headphones 🎧

🧃 For the College Girl Vibes

• Lip balm, mascara, and claw clip – because feeling cute is a coping mechanism. In my little pencil bag is where I keep my lip gloss. Something about applying it in public is such a power move!

• Blue light glasses – because I stare at screens like it’s my job (it kinda is). Keeping your eyes healthy is something I wish I had put more thought into last semester. While at college, half of your life will be spent looking at screens, so taking the proper precautions to protect those beautiful eyes. Worth it.

• Phone charger/power bank – because dead phones = social emergencies. And even real ones sometimes....

💌 A Note From Me

This kit isn’t about being ✨perfect✨ — it’s about making space for peace. It’s a little mix of prayer, pens, and pep talks. It’s how I check in with myself when the world feels loud. Don’t forget: mental health isn’t selfish, and cozy comforts aren’t shallow. You're allowed to build a life that protects your peace and your dreams.🫶🌸 Attending college is a huge step in life! It's full of beautiful chaos, meeting new friends, and figuring life out as a new adult. No one is going to be going through this journey at the same pace. Everyone learns and grows differently, so don't go comparing yourself!! You are doing AMAZING where you are right now. It's not a race, it's not a competition. It's YOUR space. This is you creating your very own life! Deep breath, babe 🌬💗

You are not behind. You are not failing. You are not the only one trying to juggle 10 things while staying soft, faithful, and a little bit fabulous. College is wild — and you’re doing it with courage, creativity, and so much grace. You don’t need to have it all figured out today. What matters is showing up with a willing heart, a little faith, and a whole lot of love for yourself. Tools like Trello and LifeAtSpaces? They’re just little helpers — meant to support you, not perfect you. This season isn’t about doing it all — it’s about learning what works, asking for help, and giving yourself room to grow. So yes, keep color-coding your life if it helps. Romanticize that study session. Light the candle. Cry a little. Pray a lot. And remember that your softness is not a weakness — it’s strength wrapped in kindness.

You’re allowed to take breaks, say no, create new boundaries, and protect your peace. You’re allowed to rest without guilt. And most of all? You’re allowed to love your life, even when it’s messy.

You're grades don't define you. You're going to struggle in classes, you're going to be confused. But that's all just temporary. You're here to learn!! And whether you know it or not, you are! You're only getting better from here.

Proverbs 31:10 states that your worth is a price that is far above rubies. God placed you on this earth at a specific time for a reason. You are a beautiful treasure with such a bright future! One of my favorite songs states how incredible you are, more than my words can.

"The truth is I am my Father's child, I make Him proud and I make Him smile. I was made in the image of a PERFECT KING, He looks at me and wouldn't change a thing." (The Truth by Meaghen Woods)

You’ve got big dreams, a beautiful heart, and God on your side — you’re more than ready for the days ahead than you think you are. Keep going, girl. You’re made for this. 🌷