ALEXANDRA ALCALA / ASST. A&C EDITOR

College can be a fun and freeing time, but it can also involve a harsh schedule with classes, exams and work at all hours of the day. Between the long study sessions and the stress of balancing responsibilities, small sources of comfort can make a big difference. 

Comfort items offer students a sense of familiarity and emotional support in a stressful environment. These items play a crucial role in helping students feel emotionally supported, especially when far from home. As a senior at USD, biology student Karma Terlik has four years of experience balancing the many responsibilities that come with being a student. To her, comfort items come in a variety of forms and help her decompress after a hard day.

“When I think of a comfort item, I think soft and fuzzy, maybe a jacket or a stuffed animal,” Terlik said. “Personally, my entire bed is a comfort item for me. It’s a place to de-stress and  regulate myself  after  a  long day. It brings me joy, and it’s something that I look forward to. I think it is a nice thing to have, especially because I’m surrounded by homework all the time.”

Comfort items, and their significance, vary from person to person. For some, it’s a sentimental object from home. For others, it’s something as simple as a cute hoodie or a cuddly blanket. These items provide not only physical comfort, but also a mental escape from the pressures of college life. USD first-year Gabby Pine has found that comfort can come from many different sources. Not only has her sorority and friends helped her settle into USD, but her favorite comfort item has also helped.

“A comfort item for me would be my blanket,”  Pine said. “I have a very cozy blanket in my dorm. I brought it from home. I haven’t had it for a long time, but it’s truly so cozy. It helps me relax after a long day.”

The attachment to comfort items often begins during childhood. Many babies and toddlers form strong emotional bonds with their favorite items, including blankets — often referred to as a “blankie.” These soft, familiar objects provide warmth and security, helping children self-soothe and feel safe in new or stressful environments. As students grow older, that connection to certain items doesn’t disappear — it simply evolves. 

Blankets and pillows serve as a comfort item for many students. Jackie Marquez/The USD Vista

A cozy blanket in a college dorm can offer the same sense of reassurance and familiarity, especially during moments of stress or homesickness. USD sophomore Michelle Martinez has seen this firsthand. 

“For me, a comfort item looks like pictures from my family and friends, and a blanket that I always use and have had for two years now,” Martinez said. “They bring different types of comfort, but both help especially during hard times in school like finals week.”

Like Martinez, USD senior Sophie Simpson also has a comfort item that reminds her of home. As a senior, her most important keepsake has been with her for a very long time.

“I have a stuffed otter named Otty,” Simpson said. “He’s special to me because he feels like home and has every characteristic I’d think a comfort item would have. [Otty] also reminds me of my childhood and what’s important to me. I’ve had him since I was born, and now he’s here with me in college.”

Some students bring their stuffed animals with them to college. Riley Rains/The USD Vista

Although many students have a comfort item of their own, there’s some uncertainty around bringing a beloved childhood stuffed animal or blanket to college. USD senior Abbey Casserly waited until her junior year to bring her comfort item to school.

“When I came to college I saw that a lot of people brought stuffed animals, and people would sleep with them too,” Cassely said.  “At first I was like ‘That’s interesting,’ … but then once I saw other people doing that I was like ‘Wait, it is a nice touch of your childhood to bring something with you.’…So then, my junior year, I decided to bring my Winnie the Pooh bear back to school with me as a piece of home.”

The connection formed with comfort items during childhood doesn’t just fade as students grow older. Certain comfort objects stay with them for years, serving as quiet reminders of  home. For some students, bringing a lifelong comfort item to college isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about carrying a piece of their past into their future. USD first-year Sam Vasquez explained how the meaning of comfort items extends beyond what they physically are.

“I immediately think of pillows or something soft when thinking of a comfort item,” Vasquez said. “I have a sentimental attachment to them. Not really from what they are, but for where they come from. They are a part of my home.”

For some students, their bed is a comfort item that helps them de-stress. Anjali Dalal-Whelan/The USD Vista

The emotional attachment to comfort items plays an active role in helping students cope with stress. During overwhelming times, such as midterm season, these familiar objects can provide stability in the midst of academic chaos. For students facing long nights of studying and back-to-back exams, the presence of a comfort item can make all the difference. In fact, just having something familiar nearby can create a sense of calm. 

As students juggle the demands of school and other responsibilities, these sentimental objects serve as reminders of where they come from and what brings them peace. So whether it’s a well-worn stuffed otter, a cherished pillow or a simple blanket, these comfort items are more than just objects — they are a part of life for many students.

USD senior Abbey Casserly’s Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal is a piece of home for her. Photo courtesy of Abbey Casserly