As a college athlete, traveling is part of your job description. Competing away from home is more common than not, which means oftentimes, college athletes have to live out of a duffel bag sometimes. Here are some essentials you shouldn't leave the dorm without on your next away game.
School Supplies
- Laptop
You'll probably be missing some classes and bus/plane rides are always great places to get some homework done. Don't forget the charger!
- Planner
Take your planner so you can stay on top of things while you are away. This will help you not forget things and if you need to write stuff down, you will already have it.
- 1, 1, 1 Rule
This is my rule for extra school supplies. I only bring 1 notebook, 1 pen, and 1 highlighter. This helps me reduce the space I take up in my backpack because my volleyball gear will take up most of it.
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits
Essentials
- Headphones
This is self-explanatory. When you are constantly with your team, you'll need a way to escape for a little while and get in the zone. I even bring two pairs of headphones: my Airpods and regular earbuds.
- Hair ties/Scrunchies
You can never have too many hair ties. I always break mine so I buy a pack and put them in my bag.
- Advil
As an athlete you understand. If you're constantly sore–or if you're like me and you get headaches often–Advil is always nice to have on hand.
Related: Roadtrip! 4 Ways to Prepare Yourself for an Away Game
- Spray-On Deodorant
I live by always having spray-on deodorant in my bag. They're normally smaller which makes them easy to carry around and if you forgot to put some on before you left, you can just quickly spray some on. If you're flying, consider nixing an aerosol deodorant and opting for your favorite stick deodorant instead.
- Face wipes
Sometimes after a sweaty game or practice, you can't always go back and shower. Keep face wipes in your bag so you can quickly rinse off.
- Vaseline
You can get a travel-sized vaseline at any drug store and Vaseline is handy for so many things like chapstick, cracked hands, or moisturizer in general–it's basically an all-in-one for on-the-go athletes.
Away games can be stressful, but being prepared will take a load off your shoulders. So pack your bags and travel in confidence!
Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Want to set up an interview with us? Email us at [email protected]
* Originally published on September 1, 2022, by Anna Garrett
