No doubt, college can be overwhelming under “normal” circumstances. But throw a global pandemic into the mix and, yeah, things are complicated! Since the college experience and guidelines vary from school to school, many students are learning remotely while others might still be attending smaller in-person classes or it might be a combination of both. There’s also the stress of papers, tests, and possibly a part-time job on top of a pandemic. It’s all understandably a hell of a lot to manage. While these gift ideas won’t solve all their problems and worries, they can at least help a little and let them know that you’re thinking of them with something nice.
Small gestures can go a long way! Consider upgrading their mini-fridge or gifting them a cookbook full of easy and fast recipes. You could also surprise ’em with a coffee maker that’ll help them save money or a desk organizer to keep their space tidy and cute. There are tons of great gift ideas for college students, and we’ve got 47 of them, below. Whether they’re on campus or attending class via Zoom, have a peek at our list. And if you want more resources, click to read student’s experiences on a college campus during COVID and some advice from health experts about how to stay safe in your dorms.
Finally, a mini-fridge that won’t ruin the room’s aesthetic.
They’ll loooove snuggling up in this comfy blanket in between classes.
A cute sports bra they’ll wanna wear even on their off days.
A pair of slides they can easily slip on and off is perfect for dorm life.
This aromatherapeutic room spray is designed to help calm nerves. Show me a college student who wouldn’t want that.
This lil portable safe will keep their valuables, uh, safe while living away from home.
Whether they’re pulling all-nighters or doing movie nights, having something to snack on is key. And this microwavable popcorn popper will change the game.
Treat your giftee to a set of seriously high-quality headphones. They’re great for walks to class, focusing in the library, or just relaxing in the dorm.
Imagine how clutch having a tiny toaster oven within arm’s reach would be.
Is it just me or is this scent diffuser gorgeous???
Here’s a must-have for working and studying from bed. And, yes, it even has a place for their phone!
This leave-in cream will rejuvenate and define their curls, and it’s paraben-, sulfate-, and silicone-free.
A bougie gold razor will give them the smoothest. Skin. EVER.
They’ll never run out of essentials if you gift them a monthly subscription like this one filled with everything from deodorant to razors to makeup.
They’ll be forever grateful for a Keurig that makes a fast cup of Joe when they’re cramming for an exam. Plus, the mini size is perfect for a college dorm or smaller room.
They won’t have a cluttered desk thanks to this rose-gold tray that fits all sorts of office supplies.
The ones who change their cell phone case as often as they switch their nail color will love adding this adorable marbled case to their collection.
Cooking can be a hassle when you have a shared kitchen, but if they’re in their own apartment, they’ll definitely use a cookware set—especially one in a gorge blue shade.
A journal is a great present where they can take time away from their busy schedules, self-reflect, and write down their goals.
A pretty bag that can hold their laptop and books will definitely come in handy when they’re making trips to the library.
Workout tanks are ideal for any kind of activity, whether it’s running, lifting, or yoga. This set includes three pieces that are so comfy, they’ll wear them even when they’re not working out.
Speaking of being comfortable, a pair of leggings is the perfect present for students. It has a convenient phone pocket and lots of stretch, so they can wear it everywhere.
Laundry day in college = lugging it to a washing machine in the basement or a laundromat five minutes away. A quick spritz of these guys, and lightly worn clothing will smell like new—so they can procrastinate just a bit longer on washing their things.
Rooms can be uninviting when the walls are stark white and there aren’t any decorations. Liven theirs up with a trio of baby succulents!
Sometimes a fresh set of crisp sheets and pillowcases makes a world of difference. This percale set will make them feel like they’re in a luxurious hotel and not sharing their space with a roommate.
A plush down comforter will be a game changer in their lives, especially in the wintertime.
A pair of super-comfortable, bouncy sneaks definitely makes any trek easier.
You can’t get through the dorm room experience without a plethora of Command hooks. They save floor space, they’re easy to use, and some styles are upgraded with matte metal or brass so they look polished. This black double hook is perfect for scarves, keys, or whatever else they wanna hang up.
A soft quilted backpack will make carrying all their sh*t so much more manageable, and this style will last even beyond college.
A WiFi, portable speaker is basically a must-have when they wanna turn up their favorite song.
A stylish photo book they can keep their most prized pics in makes a great gift—and it happens to look so good on any table.
Give them a comfy striped pj set for those late-night study sessions or just for when they don’t want to leave their room.
Polaroids aren’t going away anytime soon! They’ll love having this mini Instax around to document their college years.
A flexible pair of metallic flats is ideal for long days spent on their feet around campus, but they’re pretty enough to wear out too.
An easy way for a college student to save money is doing their own nails. Give them the gift of an at-home nail salon with a kit that includes an LED lamp, nail file, acetone remover, gel nail polish, and more.
With a car charger, wall charger, and external charger, they can make sure their phone is on 100 percent at all times.
Give them a little piece of home with a candle from their state. Each one includes distinct scents representative of each place; this one features notes of “honeysuckle, lavender, and violets with hints of grain fields.”
Coffee not for them? A pretty mug made for sipping hot tea will be their go-to whenever they need a little pick-me-up.
They love representing their school, so get them a shirt with their college colors, like a cute striped sweater.
They might not have a lot of time to grab something, but a lightning-fast blender gives them a healthy smoothie they can take on the go.
Whether it’s raining or snowing or just plain chilly, you can’t go wrong with a classic black ankle boot that’s waterproof and holds up through anything.
An easy cookbook that has recipes for healthy snacks, meals, and desserts will get their culinary skills goin’.
For their self-care Sundays, a kit that includes an exfoliating coffee scrub is one they’ll use consistently.
A stack of colorful bracelets they can wear all together or separately will help cheer them up.
A college student can NEVER have too much Tupperware, and if they usually meal-prep, these blue-accented glass ones will keep them organized.
Heart-shaped lock earrings are a simple yet cute gift for anyone who’s into gold jewelry.
Downing eight glasses a day is a little harder than you think, but a water bottle like this makes sure even the busiest college student gets proper hydration.