I'll second the shots, although today many colleges require shots

If you don't mind me asking - which borough is the college? It would be very different is she is say, out at St Johns (eastern Central Queens) and say at NYU Downtown

Even though metrocards expire, I keep one around in the BOB - and replace them every 6 months or so (they are usually good for about a year), and then use the card I took out of my gear - cheap insurance

Payphones still exist in a lot of NYC (becoming rare, but not totally gone - thow a roll of quarters in that BOB)

The biggest thing you can give her is "Mindset". I remember the 2003 blackout (or was it 02?). As I walked home, I had water, and a tin of altoids. Got about 4-5 miles into the trip, and I stopped for that bottle of water - boy was it good, and I must have gotten asked 20-30 times where I got it. Had to tell folks "I had it with me" - got another 2-3 blocks, and found a company that had turned on their hose bib for folks to drink - refilled the bottle. Someone had actually asked me why I had not thrown it out..

Oh - there is another item you can add to the BOB (is she actually going to be able to carry this kit?) - a sillcock key. They are used to turn on most "non tamper" hose bibs. (I carry one of those, and in my truck I have a real NYC Fire Hydrant wrench - later that night I was working with the Red Cross handing out drinks/water and we ran out of water - and of course there was no wrench on the truck - they had to send a supervisor with a wrench - yes they are authourized. In fact, the Salvation Army canteens here in NYC actually have Fire Dept placards and numbers, so they can cross fire lines (and have red flashers)

Anyway, mindset, and believe it or not - friends with a compatible mindset. 2-3 people working together are a LOT better than one person working alone. Have her make friends not only with other people in her school, but if she can, some "locals" (heck if it's Saint John's I'm fairly close)

Oh - a few more "mind hints" - if your feeling tired while bugging out - EAT (I mentioned drinking, but I totally forgot about my emergency rations and was beat - when I finally ate, I felt SO much better). If she sees a Salvation Army Canteen or a Red Cross ERV parked, don't shy away to walk up and ask for some water/a snack. That's what they are there for - they will just hand them to you if they have it (I've been assigned as a ham to both - I've NEVER seen anyone charged - although I've heard rumors on the internet). The thing is, don't expect ot see either of them on the road in NYC for about the first 2-3 hours after the disaster - for instance, most of the Red Cross trucks are stored in Queens - they are going to have to get there, and more importantly, the volunteers have to get there (as there is usually 1 crew on duty). They are going to have troubles too