9 Small Things That Make My Life Better As a College Student

by Lanie Brice ‘24

Heading into my senior year of college, I’ve finally learned the embrace that college is hard. Whether it’s a tough class or just homesickness and general overwhelm, there’s always a new challenge to work through. I guess that’s what growing up is all about. But, over time, I’ve learned one of the best ways to treat those low moments is finding small ways to make your life a little better every day. Here’s nine things that do that for me to hopefully inspire you to find what could make your transition back to USC a little easier. 

A Nice Notebook

Sure, we all take notes on our laptops or iPads now, but don’t underestimate the power of a high quality notebook. I like creating my own planner out of a blank notebook, and having 160 gsm paper (trust me, you can feel the difference) and nice binding makes a world of difference in keeping it going all year long. Being able to make my own simple planner spreads creates plenty of room to jot down to-do lists and make big picture plans for upcoming assignments and major projects. If you get a notebook you love, you’ll want to use it, and that will make it easier to stay on top of all those assignments. 

My favorite independent notebook shop is Archer and Olive. I also like Notebook Therapy journals, and while they have thinner pages, the Leuchtturm1917 is another more affordable classic bullet journal option that I’ve enjoyed.

Also, I love a great $0.99 notebook from Target, especially if you have big essays or projects this semester, to brainstorm, take notes, and allow yourself to work through ideas away from a computer screen. I’m a huge advocate for using paper to get your thoughts down.

Coco Brush Toothbrush

Hear me out. How much could a toothbrush really do for your life? Turns out, quite a bit if you have sensitive gums like I do. I felt silly when I bought this $10 manual toothbrush on a whim at CVS, but it touted having extremely soft bristles and came with the bonus of being made out of recycled materials that could be recycled once again when the brush had run its course in six months. This is the only toothbrush I’ve found that’s made this twice daily hygiene routine not only pain free but actually kinda nice. Maybe this toothbrush sounds cool to you or maybe it’s super boring. Just take a second to figure out what would optimize self care for you.

Back-Up Wired Earbuds That Live in Your Backpack 

Over the summer, I found a pair of lightning port-ended wired earbuds while I was cleaning out my nightstand, and I tossed them in my backpack. Even though Airpods and other wireless earphones reign supreme these days, I was eternally grateful to have the good old wired ones in my bag when my Airpods died on the train platform the other day. If you commute, having a back-up pair of earbuds can be an easy way to avoid some severe disappointment at the end of a long day. 

Target

Freezer Quart Bags 

This one sounds totally random, but if you live alone, these are a must. I like to cook for myself, but ingredients don’t really come in “portion for one” sizes. So I end up with giant batches of the meals I make for myself, and then I’m stuck eating the same thing at every meal in a race against the clock not to waste food. Eventually, it occurred to me to buy freezer bags. Now, I can make whatever dish I want, eat it for a few days, and freeze the rest. Then, when I’m tired and don’t feel like cooking, I can pull out a pre-cooked, pre-portioned meal for a fraction of the cost and far healthier than buying a frozen meal. Pro tip: use a Sharpie to label the date you froze the dinner so you can make sure you know how old it is.

Cushioned Pilates Mat

I inherited a yoga mat from my mom a few years ago, but I always dreaded doing floor work because the ground still hurt my knees and back even though the thin padding. But, recently, Target’s workout section received a shipment of the thickest pilates mats I’ve ever seen. Now, I feel like I’m doing my yoga flow on a cloud. Even if you’re not a huge fan of yoga or pilates, it also makes a nice spot for stretching or lying on the floor to stare aimlessly at the ceiling while you procrastinate. 

Kindle 

I’ve been a believer in the magic of the Kindle since I inherited my mom’s when I was in 5th grade. As an avid reader, it’s amazing to be able to have access to any book at my fingertips, and as a college student who commutes on public transit, having my book exist in a light, thin rectangle instead of hundreds of bulky pages makes my life easier. While it is a bit of upfront investment (they’re about $140 or $99 if you get a refurbished one like I did), books are so expensive these days that if you buy a few a year – for class or for fun – it can pay off pretty quickly if you pair it with a library e-card.

Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen 40 SPF

I splurged on the magical Supergoop Unsunscreen that’s super trendy, but when the tube ran out, I couldn’t justify spending $40 on sunscreen. So when I found out that Trader Joe’s sells a clear sunscreen of their own for a bargain $8.99, I was over the moon. This stuff might even be better than the Supergoop sunscreen. If you’re not a regular sunscreen user for any reason, this sunscreen will definitely change your mind. We all should be wearing sunscreen every day.

32 oz Water Bottle

I thought I was being a little silly when I decided to invest in a $40, 32 oz water bottle with “reuse” prints in a cute font up and down the bottle because I just fell in love with it. Turns out, while it is quite heavy, it’s also incredibly useful. Staying hydrated, especially in the heat that sticks with us till November, is incredibly important, and having your own water bottle can save you and the planet quite a bit on avoiding disposable bottles. The plus side of getting a big one is that you’ll have more water before you have to find a refill station which means you’ll always have a drink when you need it. 

Good Gym Shoes 

I didn’t understand the value of good running shoes until I finally bought a pair at the end of the summer with an eye set on finally learning to run. I managed to score a great deal, getting half-off a pair of Hokas at REI, and now I feel like I’m running on clouds. I’ve always had a hard time with regularly making it to the gym, and maybe it’s because I’m trying to get my money’s worth out of the shoes, but having the right equipment has made my latest attempt at being a gym-goer so much easier. With how stressful college is, having a healthy outlet like running can be great for both your mental and physical health. With a gym on campus and one in the Village, you might as well get the most out of what USC has to offer. 

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