There's nothing college students love more than a good college care package. Getting that email from the mail center that we have a package from our parents is like Christmas morning. Knowing that we're slicing through the tape to a better life, full of mac and cheese cups, bath bombs, school supplies and hair ties is what keeps us going through our 16 credit hour semesters. But there are some things that are sent just too frequently, and we can't use them as quickly as you send them.

1. Cotton Swabs

This is a huge one. Of course, everyone uses cotton swabs to clean their ears and maybe clean up some stray mascara while they're doing their makeup. But we use an absolute max of 50 a month. And that's only if it's someone doing makeup for multiple people, multiple times a week. I can't even begin to tell you how many packs of 300 cotton swabs I have sitting in my closet. I might start a stockpile.

2. Candy

Broke college students are, in general, starving. We look forward to the frivolity of being able to spend $20 on a pizza when we get that coveted Dominoes gift card from you. One thing we don't want when we're just craving real food is Skittles. Maybe I'm a lone voice here, but I would really rather have a real meal and then head to the gym then binge on sugar when I'm hungry and trying to keep my energy up for all of my classes, tests, and meetings.

3. Sticky Notes

I use sticky notes in every novel that I'm assigned to read, as well as in every textbook reading assignment. When I'm studying for tests I sticky note anything that the professor emphasized would definitely be on the exam. I also leave myself sticky notes all over my desk so that I remember little tasks and things I need to buy throughout the day. I use more sticky notes than anyone else I know and I still have too many.

4. Kitschy School-Related Items

Maybe as a freshman, before having tons of Alabama-related stuff, I would've liked that Script A brooch or elephant eraser, but now it just seems souvenier-like and tacky. We would much rather receive a spirited hat or sweatshirt. Anything that can double as a class outfit and game day apparel is a win.

Please keep sending us loving cards signed by you and our siblings, food, pencils, highlighters, printer paper, face masks and anything else you think we would like. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter what's in the care package, we love to know that you're thinking of us, whether we're a hundred miles away or a thousand.