Five easy ways to care for a loved one when they are away at school

SALT LAKE CITY - Aug. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- With the start of college classes just around the corner, parents share the wide-eyed excitement of their dorm-bound kids. While many remember what it was like the first time studying in the dorms, it’s easy to forget the struggles students go through on the way to the rest of their lives. Spoonful of Comfort founder Marti Wymer said test anxiety, difficult roommates, getting sick and all-night study sessions are only a few of the challenges the average college student encounters.

None of these situations are easy to face alone, but parents can help their young scholars cope with the fears, anxieties and stresses of college life. Sometimes that means adding a little comfort to their living space, or simply showing them you care with a simple gesture.

A college care package from Spoonful of Comfort can help parents provide a taste of home, with a half-gallon of delicious chicken noodle soup and rolls made from scratch. Some kits include cookies and socks, a perfect combination of sweetness and comfort that reminds the college-bound kid they are loved and cared about.

Support from family means the world to a budding scholar, but there are more ways than one to show your love. These small suggestions can bring comfort and reassurance to even the most dire dorm-room scenario:

1.              Send a Letter. In a world of constant electronic communication, of emailing professors and collaborating online with classmates, nothing shows love and caring quite like a handwritten letter in the mail. Even if your student lives nearby, this gesture will improve their mood, and can provide the extra push they need to succeed.

2.              Air Freshener. When sharing space with another person, even the smallest smells can become big issues over time. A bad smell can disrupt concentration, or make a student uncomfortable in their own living space. Approaching a roommate about their stench can be a dicey proposition, but a nice air freshener can eliminate that awkward conversation.

3.              Flip-Flops. A communal bathroom floor is no place for bare feet, especially when many students have to skip showers for those long study sessions. A good pair of flip-flops will keep your student’s feet off of the germ-infested floor, and double as a comfortable, airy shoe to wear around the dorm.

4.              Board Games. For those living in the dorms, there often isn’t a lot of money to go out on the town. A fun board game can provide relief to a hard-working study group, or give a student something to do when they spend time with their new friends. Choosing an old family favorite can remind them of good times they had with their parents, and the comforts of home.

5.              Spoonful of Comfort. Anyone who went to college remembers the dread inspired by the words, “cafeteria food.” Sometimes it takes a taste of home-style chicken noodle soup to cure what ails you. Whether a student is homesick, sick with the flu, or simply sick of eating cafeteria mystery meat, this care package can give them some much-needed relief. Some packages come with cozy socks and a blanket, making even the most stark study areas into a comfortable lounge.

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