As a student who drives to campus, sometimes I find myself needing something essential at the most random times. Here is a helpful list of items that could be kept in your car in case of an emergency.
Money: Keeping some spare money (from $15-$30) can be helpful, such as for gas or to buy food on campus.
Snacks/Water: Sometimes we get so caught up getting to places on time that we forget to eat, especially in the morning. Having an extra snack in the car can always be helpful. I usually keep one or two extra water bottles, a granola bar, and dried fruit.
Extra clothes: In SoCal, one day it’s 75 degrees with warm sun and the other it’s 75 degrees—with wind and cloudy skies. Aside from weather, buildings with the AC turned on can get cold. Having an extra jacket with you could be so relieving, so keep an extra change of seasonally appropriate clothes.
Charger: Keeping an extra charger in the car is crucial and lifesaving. If your device’s battery is drained after a long day, you can charge your phone on the way home. Plus, it is easier to deal with emergencies with a charged phone.
Umbrella: For obvious reasons, keeping an umbrella in the car is important. On the other hand, it could also come in handy when the sun is too strong and you are spending your day outside.
Jumper cables: Getting a dead battery is surprising, but it occurs. A set of jumper cables can get you out of a chaotic situation, like being stuck on the side of the road while the other driver that offered to help doesn’t have any, either.
First-Aid kit: First-Aid kits include band aids, gauze, and ibuprofen, along with other essential items. During a leisurely hike, you could fall and scratch yourself. Having these resources nearby comes in handy. If you get one, they are usually affordable and well stocked.
No matter what you choose to include as an essential item to keep in your car in case of an emergency, make sure that whatever you do have there keeps you safe and out of trouble.
Over my 3 years as a Whittier College commuter, I have definitely learned a thing or two about the everyday commute from class, work, internships, and creative productions. Being able to retain a comfortable, clean, and prepared environment in your set of wheels is essential in getting the most out of your trip and allowing you to be ready to ace the day. This is especially true on those special days where you sleep through the alarm, or get a flat tire, or spill your entire coffee on your outfit and are running behind on time for your 8 a.m. class.
Here are some tips I’ve learned through old-fashioned trial and error of the everyday drive to and from campus.
Keep It Clean
The first aspect of the commute that is often forgotten over the semester is the everyday cleanliness of your car. I recommend stocking up on hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, towels, and a portable trash can for a myriad of possible uses. No longer do your coffee cups, Taco Bell dollar menu wrappers and old notes have to be your passengers with an easy clean through every week, which is even easier if you have a small trash can for all sorts of messes.
Depending on the extremity of mess, use disinfectant wipes to clean dashboards, handles, steering wheels, and seats and your preferred deodorant/air fresheners to get rid of any unwanted smells. A recent budget discovery of mine has been placing charcoal packets (purchasable from Amazon) under seats and fabrics to help deodorize my car!
Keep a Back-Up Outfit (or Two)
From personal experience I can vouch for this tip: Have spare clothes. The amount of possible ways that your fresh outfit or special sweater can be spilled or stained on is unimaginable. Due to my being a klutz, I have personally invented how to get the trifecta of stains all in one day; pasta sauce, soy sauce, and coffee. Instead of walking around with stains, it is a huge help to have a few articles of clothing on hand for just a special stain extravaganza.
Be Prepared
This next tip is one that countless loving parents have reminded college students and new drivers for the entirety of time: “Did you pack a spare? Roadside kit?” ‘Who’da thought they were right! Essentials for a roadside kit include, but are not limited to:
• jumper cables • a quart or more of motor oil • a gallon of coolant • first-aid kit • blanket or space blanket • flashlight and extra batteries • tool kit with screwdrivers • pliers • adjustable wrench • pocket knife • a spare tire
A roadside kit can drastically improve safety in the event maintenance is needed in an area where internet or cell service is sparse.
Bring Your Music
Last but not least, perhaps the most essential personally speaking, you cannot forget your preferred music and audio! Any jams or podcast can turn a sour day into one where you can achieve anything in the span of a 2-minute song or an hour-long audio book listen.
