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Podcast Episode on DIY College Survival Kit 👇👇👇

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UPDATE May 24, 2024:  *Deep Sigh*  My sons are now 33 and 38 and putting their college educations to good use by working hard in the arena of Sales and Writing. 

One down, one to go.  We’re nearly through the college years at my house.

My eldest son, Davide (R), is 26 and graduated from Penn State University a few years ago.  His younger brother Gianluca (L) is 21 and starting his senior year at Penn State next week.  Both boys have been using essential oils as part of their college experience (as if they had a choice).

I sent them each to college with bags of essential oils and aromatherapy helpers that were specific to their personal needs as well as some generic “just-in-case” blends.

Davide has a tendency toward sinus infections when overtired, so I made sure to pack a warm steam inhaler and bottles of Tea Tree his freshman year.  I also included a bottle of the wonderfully antiseptic Lemongrass for him to clean his dorm room, which happens to be one of his favorite essential oils.  I though he might find the aroma a comforting reminder of home.

Gianluca doesn’t have sinus issues, but he does share an apartment so I make sure his place is always supplied with bottles of liquid castile soap with essential oils for the shower, spray bottles with essential oils to wipe down surfaces and mist in the air.  I still haven’t figured out a “no-partying-you’re-in-college-to-study” blend!

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A Wonderful Going-Away-to-College Gift!

Two years ago my cousin had a College Send Off party for her daughter.  I made an Aromatherapy College Survival Kit as my gift to her, which you can see in the photographs below.  I included single note oils like Lavender, Tea Tree and Sweet Orange, and made blends that would cover issues that college life brings.  I also included goodies like a body butter, lip balm and natural deodorant.  I put it all in a travel bag with a printed instruction sheet and added a diffuser for her dorm room.   I made cute labels and top dots for the bottles. You can buy both dot labels and weatherproof labels at www.OnlineLabels.com

Below is a list of my personal recommendations for a versatile
Aromatherapy College Survival Kit

Suggested Blends

(Note: Blends should be made at a 2% to 5% dilution and mixed in Jojoba Oil to help keep the shelf life.
1% = 5-6 drops eo to 1 oz jojoba). Read more about 🔗Safe Dilution Guidelines for Blending Essential Oils

Inflammation/Bruise/Pain Relief Blend:   Suggested oils:  Helichrysum, Sweet Orange, German Chamomile, and Lavender.  For swelling, pain, and inflammation from too many hours on the computer, or to address a minor injury until they can get to the student medical center.

Stress Headache Relief Blend:  Suggested oils:  Peppermint, Frankincense, Basil, Lavender.  These are all great oils to inhale during breaks from long hours of study, too much reading, noise in the dorm, general stress, and hangover (I’m a realist).

Muscle Pain Blend:   Suggested oils: Birch, Ginger, Black Pepper, Marjoram. For sore muscles from physical education courses, college sports or even long walks and bike rides across campus to class. 

Sinus & Allergy Congestion Relief Blend:  Suggested Oils:  Peppermint, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Lavender, Lemon.  These oils will create a cooling, uplifting blend that will also help clear the mind while studying.  Good to inhale for Fall/Spring seasonal allergies and congestion. 

PMS Balance Blend:  Suggested Oils:  Clary Sage, Geranium, Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Sweet Orange, Cypress:   There’s nothing worse than having your period, feeling crampy and moody, and having Mom a hundred miles away.  The oils I’ve recommended are all good for hormone balance, calming the nerves, and antispasmodic for cramping.  I’d make a strong blend at 5% (25 drops:1 oz carrier) to be rubbed into the abdomen and lower back.  Even just smelling this blend will help her feel more relaxed.

Single Oils

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) No college student should leave home without this essential oil!    Lavender has an outstanding balancing and calming effect on the CNS (central nervous system) so it’s great for the new stresses they’ll be facing, and may even be a comfort in times of homesickness.  Lavender can be inhaled for headaches, anxiety, and insomnia.  It brings quick pain relief and healing for burns.  For sleep, sprinkle a few drops on your pillowcase.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)   This is another don’t-leave-home-without-it oil.  College life can be a great way to pass germs around and this oil is a powerful antiseptic and one of the best for preventing and healing infection.  It has a strong affinity with the respiratory system and it will help fight colds, and flu and alleviate sore throats, bronchitis, and sinus issues.   Shared showers are a great place to pick up toenail fungus and athlete’s foot; Tea Tree will kill both.  Great to use in a diffuser for killing airborne bacteria or steam inhalation for sinus infection.

Citrus Oils For Uplifting Spirits  (Orange/Lemon/Lime/Grapefruit/Bergamot)
The fresh, uplifting citrus oils are all very cheering – send along several if your student is prone to anxiety, worry, and over-seriousness.  They are especially great to diffuse with Lavender on those gray fall or winter days or during a bout of homesick blues.  They are nice in the morning with a bit of Peppermint to help your student wake up and get moving.

Grounding Oils for Overwhelm.  Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana) or Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) are both great for combating overwhelm and quieting the mind while soothing and grounding the nervous system.

An Essential Oil Diffuser:  Diffusion is the process of dispersing essential oils into the air for their aromatic and antibacterial effects. They can be used to make a dorm room smell better, help your student sleep/wake up, and are great for killing airborne bacteria in close quarters when someone is sick.   (You can read more about diffusers here).

The choice you make for your student will depend upon what you think they will use actually and what is allowed in their living quarters.  Any diffuser that has soft lighting and gives a cool soothing mist is perfect for a dorm room.

Blank Inhalers:  (Here’s a blog post on How to Make a Nasal Inhaler)
These are fun and practical for a busy, on-the-go college student.  You can make them an inhaler for sinus congestion, headache, staying awake, anxiety, insomnia, and stress relief.  They can take their inhaler on the airplane, throw them in their backpack or purse, and use them anywhere…even in class.  You can make unique and personal inhaler blends for a student or have a “bonding day” before they leave and make their inhalers together! Send blank ones along in case they want to make one later.

Other Supplies to Consider for Your College Survival Kit

• Organic Castile Liquid Soap and Organic Liquid Body Wash:   Add the essential oils they like best to make a hand soap or body wash.  This will be another way of getting essential oils into their system and keeping them healthy.
• 2 oz Spray Bottle with Natural Hand Sanitizer:   Again, germs are part of college life so remind them to use this natural hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.  Suggested oils: Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Clove, Lavender.  2% blend (20 drops to 1 oz organic Aloe Vera Gel).
  
  2 oz Spray Bottles (Empty):  Empty spray bottles are useful as they can create their own air freshener, carpet freshener, kitchen/bathroom air spray, and pillow spray at bedtime. Add 20 drops total of essential oil(s) and fill with water. Shake well before using.  

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I recorded an episode of the Aromatic Wisdom Podcast
on this topic if you prefer to learn by listening!

🎧 AWP Episode 012: College Freshman Survival Kit

 

Updated on May 24, 2024. This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you purchase using them. The commission is paid by the retailer at no extra cost to you.

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