The most indispensable item I brought with me to UW Madison was a bottle of ibuprofen. Yeah, that’s right, the over-the-counter painkiller.
I know it sounds stupid, but when I’m dealing with a fever or toothache, I don’t think, “Wow, I’m so glad I brought that microwave!” (Microwaves rank #2 on my list of indispensable items.)
At home, you might have an entire shelf in the hall closet that a parent stocked with first aid items, but here, you’re on your own. And at some point during your college career, you’re probably going to be in pain—that’s life.
Don’t wait until you’re incapacitated on the floor. Purchase a bottle of ibuprofen and pack it to bring along to your dorm before you need it. (Be sure to store it in its original container at room temperature and away from any moisture.)
For that matter, it’s just a good idea in general to assemble a first aid kit before moving into your dorm.
This could include:
- Band-Aids
- Neosporin or Bacitracin
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Tweezers
- Cough drops
- Etc.
I was going to leave you with dosing information and a list of side effects, but…I am not a doctor. I have no business covering that. Instead, here are some helpful links:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/ibuprofen-drug-facts-label
Drugs.com
https://www.drugs.com/ibuprofen.html
And of course, University Health Services (UHS), is a great resource for students. Most medical services are free of charge.