If you have a family like mine, they worry and love excessively. Working and saving is a trade taught early on. Doing so over the summer covers the cost of school books, dorm supplies, dorm storage, school supplies, a new computer, and so on. Still, your family worries, and in order to ensure your safety, they supply you with something practical every time they think of you. The consideration is a reminder of their love. It makes you feel more stable as you prepare to leave the nest. It also saves you from a lot of inconvenient moments in the future. Since there are a lot of other incoming freshman, I decided to share some of these practical gifts:

1. Toolbox:

A tool box was never an item that crossed my mind when shopping for school supplies. Post it notes, pens, binder paper, a bed set, storage, and so on were written down and checked off the list. The summer consisted of earning money and buying more school supplies. Storage items were crucial on the list. Yet, I forgot about the need to assemble the storage items. My grandparents bought me a small tool kit because, unlike me, they remembered the need for assembly.

2. Flashlight:

A flash light was the other practical item I neglected to remember. My grandparents also remembered such a thing. I normally wouldn't use one because smart phones have flashlights programmed in them, but my grandma says it's best to have a backup.

3. GPS:

A GPS was the third practical thing my grandparents gave me. As most anyone with a smartphone knows, GPS is an app already programmed in. However, what many of us don't think about is how we can lose cell service. If we land in an area without cell service or data that we can use, then the GPS could shut off, and we could be lost. Using a regular GPS helps prevent things like cell service from disrupting our adventures.

4. Sentimental Jewelry:

My other grandmother related to me in regards to accessorizing and memorabilia. She raided her own jewelry in order to find things she thought I might like to wear to college. It's definitely stuff I could wear to a formal college event, or even just to be stylish for class. Yet, the best part about this is the sentiment. Not only will I have a lot of jewelry that was hers, but she also gave me my great grandmother's graduation ring.

5. Snacks:

Mom is a great cook. She's also cooked for me my entire life. I showed a brief interest in it when I was young, but once the teenage years arrived I never really delved into the world of cooking. Since I have such a lack of experience in the kitchen, the majority of my college life and future will consist of cafeteria food, snacks, takeout, and microwavable meals. Even though I'm going away and my diet will most likely be this poor from now on, my mom still manages to try and care for me. She bought a plethora of snack foods so that I'll have some to take with me to college.

6. An Easy to Manage Hair Do:

In my previous article, I wrote about hairstyle stages. I also briefly mentioned a trip to the salon with my aunt. She was the one that invited me to the day of relaxation. It's also how I got a new haircut that will be super easy to manage. This will definitely help with my busy schedule in the future.

7. Kid's Art:

For my graduation my grandmother had my brother and all my younger cousins make a picture and sign it. She kept these pictures and put them inside a photo album she made for me, a long one with many photos of our times as a family. Besides that, I've also received many arts and crafts from my younger cousin. She made me a pencil holder decorated in stickers and Taylor Swift lyrics. I have a collection of arts/crafts my brother and cousins have made. To me they mean so much, and I will definitely be taking them with me to college. Though it may not seem practical, the sentiment behind it will keep me grounded as I journey to a new chapter of my life.