You’re in college: there’s no reason for your medicine cabinet to look like your grandparents’. Beyond a few basics, you don’t need to fall for all the trendy pills or even quick-fix medicines that promise to de-bloat, cure your hangover, or make you lose weight. There are lots of home remedies you can try, and different foods and teas that relieve a lot of the symptoms that come with mild illnesses or drinking too much. Ginger, for example, is a great aid in treating nausea, while banana peels work for warts, poison ivy and cramps. So what do you really need in your first aid kit or medicine cabinet, and what’s a waste of money?

Always keep a stock of band-aids and a roll or two of gauze in case of more serious accidents. You don’t need an entire kit, but bandages and gauze will help until you can get to the health center on or off campus (depending on what time of the night it is). Ibuprofen (like in Advil) and acetaminophen (like in Tylenol) are good basics to keep for headaches, fever, muscle aches and soreness, and other mild pains, but watch your intake if you plan on drinking. Acetaminophen can be especially damaging to your liver if you drink alcohol while it’s in your system. Keeping a thermometer on hand is also a good idea, as it can save you a trip to the doctor if you’re unsure if you have a fever, and if you want to know how seriously you need medical attention. An antacid can also be a lifesaver in the middle of the night when you’re suffering from heartburn or even nausea.

Don’t spend your money on any supplements you can get naturally through foods, unless you have a history with a certain condition. Vitamin C pills are generally a waste, since you can get lots of the vitamin from fresh fruits and vegetables or 100% juices, but if your body finds it hard to store iron or get enough iron even if you adhere to a pretty well-balanced diet, iron pills will help you keep up your energy and avoid anemia. Multipurpose vitamins are your best bet, and will give your body the nutrients you might be missing on a college student’s diet, but always try to add a salad and a piece of fruit to your meals to get vitamins the natural way.