When I spoke with a middle school teacher friend recently, she told me that some of the biggest “student emergencies” she encounters each year aren’t emergencies at all.
They’re tiny problems that escalate into stressful situations because students don’t have the supplies they need.
You get a paper cut and can’t find a bandage. Someone bumps into you and spills juice all over your shirt right before class pictures are about to be taken. You develop a headache halfway through your longest class of the day. Your favorite pen stops working during a big test.
Any of these situations could ruin your day if you don’t have the means to solve them. But they’re not emergencies.
That’s why it’s a good idea for every student to keep a school emergency kit. You don’t need a gigantic bag packed with supplies. Emergency kits should be small and convenient, but fully stocked with the things you might need throughout your day.
The 21 School Emergency Kit Checklist Every Student Should Have
1. Extra Pens
There are few things more frustrating than needing a pen and not being able to find one.
Whether it runs out of ink or your buddy borrows it without asking, you’ll thank yourself when you have a spare for these situations.
Keep two or more spares in your kit.
2. Extra Pencils
Not every teacher is pen friendly during tests and assignments.
Save yourself the trouble of heading to the pencil sharpener when you can’t write by keeping extra pencils on hand. Mechanical pencils are great too.
3. Small Pencil Sharpener
A pencil isn’t much good to you if it’s dull.
Keep a mini sharpener in your kit so you’re always prepared for unexpected writing tasks.
Bonus points if it has a built in eraser too!
Read also: 65 Motivational Back-to-School Quotes Every Student Needs to Read
4. Eraser
You know those days when you just can’t seem to make any mistakes?
Get familiar with one because they won’t last long in your school career. Keep a decent eraser on hand just in case.
5. Highlighter
Highlighters are awesome because they make important information pop.
Use one to organize your notes and keep important information clear and visible.
6. Sticky Notes
Sticky notes are one of those items most students don’t think about until they need them.
Use them for everything. Reminders, homework notes, bookmarking pages, quick notes to friends, etc.
They don’t take up much room, so keep several in your kit.
Read also: 10 Back to School Ideas Preschool Parents Need to Try This Year
7. Bandages
Pricks, cuts, blisters. They happen.
Don’t let something as small as a bandage worthy injury ruin your day. Keep a few in your kit so you can pop them on and never think about them again.
Seriously, every student should have bandages in their school emergency kit. Why do so many forget them?
8. Hand Sanitizer
Germ city. That’s what schools are.
Keep some hand sanitizer in your kit to fight off germs and stay clean when you can’t wash your hands. Thrive Causemetics makes a cool purple travel sized sanitizer that works great and doesn’t dry out your hands.
9. Tissues
Maybe you’ve got a runny nose. Maybe you sneezed. Or maybe you spilled something everywhere.
Regardless of why you need them, having some tissues in your school emergency kit will surely come in handy.
Buy the ones with the cute animals on them. They’re way better than plain old tissues!
Read also: 65 Motivational Back-to-School Quotes Every Student Needs to Read
10. Lip Balm
Dry lips don’t just hurt, they can be super distracting.
Keep your mouth happy with some lip balm. It’s compact and useful, especially during cold winter months.
You’ll use it more than you think.
11. Hair Ties
Long hair = messy hair.
Skip the headache and keep yourself prepared for gym class, science class, or those warm afternoon days when your hair wants to be free but your teacher says it can’t be, with a stash of hair ties in your kit.
You might not need them. But someday, your friend will.
12. Travel Sized Deodorant
When you have a long day at school followed by sports practice or some other physical activity, you’re going to want something to keep you smelling fresh.
Stash a travel sized deodorant in your kit and stay smelling fresh all day long.
Teenage girls and boys will love this one.
13. Breath Mints
Hey, we all sin from time to time.
Keep yourself covered in case you eat something that doesn’t agree with you or need a little boost before talking to that special someone in your class. Just don’t forget to brush afterward!
Check with your school first to make sure foods and candies are allowed.
14. Portable Phone Charger
Our kids are always on their phones these days. For better or worse, they use them for everything.
A low battery can be stressful when you’re depending on your phone for schedules, rides, and communication. Keep your phone charged and your mind at ease with a portable phone charger.
College students and high school students will find this priceless.
15. Charging Cable
Just make sure it’s the right kind for your charger!
You can never have too many of these, and your phone will thank you.
Trust me. Every student should keep a charging cable in their school emergency kit.
16. Reusable Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is important. It helps you focus and keeps your energy up.
Keep a refillable water bottle with you so you’re never caught without access to water.
If your school has water fountains, you’ll be set. Otherwise, bring some extra sports bottles.
17. Healthy Snack
Stock your kit with a shelf stable snack like crackers, granola bars, or something similar. You’ll be glad you did when hunger strikes and you can’t focus on that next history lesson.
Double check with your school’s policies on snacks and food storage.
18. Mini First Aid Supplies
Bandages are great, but if your school allows it, stock your kit with some additional first aid supplies. Antiseptic wipes are great for tiny cuts and general junk that happens throughout the school day.
Again, check with your school first to make sure these types of supplies are allowed.
19. Emergency Contact Information
Kids these days are so dependent on technology.
If your phone dies or you can’t access it for some reason, you’ll be wishing you had a few phone numbers on hand. Keep a list of parent or guardian information for quick access.
Including cell phone numbers and home phone numbers is smart.
20. Small Notebook
These days it can seem like we rely on technology for everything.
Make sure you’ve still got paper options available when you need them. A small notebook or notepad will come in handy time and time again.
You can even keep a spare in your kit for school emergency situations.
21. Cash
Okay, who even carries cash anymore?!
But hear me out. Sticking a little extra cash in your school emergency kit could be a lifesaver if you find yourself in a bind. Maybe you forgot your lunch money. Maybe your bus ride home costs money. Maybe you need to grab something to eat because of your previously mentioned emergency snack.
Who knows? But it never hurts to be prepared.
Why Every Student Should Have a School Emergency Kit
Believe it or not, school emergency kits aren’t designed for catastrophic events. Although that would be cool, they’re actually for those small daily inconveniences that would otherwise suck your day down the drain.
It’s those kinds of problems that can really distract you from what’s important: learning, making friends, and enjoying your time at school.
Keep your kit simple, organized, and customized to fit your needs. Add things that you’ll actually use. Remove anything that you won’t.
Build your kit around your own personal “school day disasters.”
How Should Students Organize Their School Emergency Kits?
I recommend using a small zippered pouch for your school emergency kit. Zippered pouches keep everything nice and contained, and they allow you to group similar items together.
Check your kit once a month to refill supplies and make sure everything is in working order. Everything in your kit should have a purpose and, most importantly, be accessible.
You shouldn’t have to dig through your backpack to find something you need. That’s what jackets and trash cans are for.
Final Thoughts
While it may not seem like a big deal, having a prepared school emergency kit can really help you out throughout your school year. Whether you forget supplies, get a bloody nose, spill your lunch all over yourself, or your phone dies without a charger, it’s good to know you have the supplies you need to take care of small problems on your own.
School emergency kits don’t need to be complicated or expensive. Choose a few of your favorite items from this list and expand from there.
Your future self will thank you!
FAQ
What should I include in a school emergency kit?
A school emergency kit is made up of little supplies that can help students cope with unexpected events that occur throughout their day at school.
Can students carry their emergency kit with them?
Students can keep their emergency kit stored in their locker, backpack, desk, or school bag. Choose a location that is easily accessible.
How do I use a school emergency kit?
Once you’ve created your kit, simply use the supplies you need as you need them. Replace used items so your kit is always ready for you!
Do I need a school emergency kit?
If you want to be prepared for small emergencies that occur at school, then yes!
When should I use my school emergency kit?
You should use your school emergency kit whenever you need an item that’s included in your kit. Use your best judgment.
How often should I check my school emergency kit?
Once a month is a great rule of thumb. Replace any used items and check for damage.
Are school emergency kits for high school students only?
Students of all ages can benefit from keeping a school emergency kit at school. Elementary kids can still get in accidents and forget supplies just like high schoolers.
How big should a school emergency kit be?
Small is fine. As long as you can fit the supplies you need, it’s not too big.
School kits should only include the essentials.
Should parents help students with school emergency kits?
Definitely! Parents can help students select which supplies to include in their kits. Additionally, parents can help ensure the supplies students are selecting are age appropriate and allowed by the school.
What’s the most important item to include in a school emergency kit?
As long as you have the items you need, every item in your school emergency kit is important to you. That being said, extra writing utensils, tissues, hand sanitizer, and emergency contacts are great items to keep on hand at school.
Save the pin for later
