Gifts for College Students

Dorm rooms, finals, and tight budgets

College students live in a shared box with a roommate, a mini fridge and a schedule that runs from 8 a.m. classes to 2 a.m. study sessions. The gifts that get used are the ones that make that life a little easier: better sleep, decent coffee, food that is not from the dining hall, and gear that survives a backpack.

Under $25 5 ideas

  1. Loop Quiet Ear Plugs

    Reusable silicone earplugs that block snoring roommates and noisy halls. Comfortable enough to sleep in and come with a tiny carrying case.

    LoopStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  2. Dash Mini Waffle Maker

    A tiny waffle iron that also does hash browns and grilled cheese. Check the dorm rules first, then enjoy the most popular appliance on the floor.

    DashStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  3. Zebra Mildliner Double Ended Highlighters

    Soft colors that do not bleed through textbook pages, with a chisel tip and a fine tip on each pen. Student favorites for color-coding notes.

    ZebraStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  4. Atomic Habits

    A practical, readable book about building better routines. It speaks to students figuring out how to study, sleep and work out without anyone telling them when.

    James ClearBook

    See it on Amazon

  5. Codenames

    The party game that works for a whole dorm lounge. Takes two minutes to learn, fits in a desk drawer, and breaks the ice with new floormates.

    Czech Games EditionWhite elephant

    See it on Amazon

Under $50 8 ideas

  1. Brita Standard Everyday Water Filter Pitcher, 10 Cup

    Dorm tap water often tastes off. A pitcher in the mini fridge means cold water without buying cases of bottles.

    Brita

    See it on Amazon

  2. Rain Design mStand Laptop Stand

    Raises the laptop screen to eye level so long study sessions do not end with a sore neck. Solid aluminum that will outlast the laptop.

    Rain Design

    See it on Amazon

  3. adidas Adilette Shower Slides

    Communal showers need shower shoes. These dry fast, do not get slippery, and double as dorm-hallway slippers.

    adidas

    See it on Amazon

  4. Frito-Lay Ultimate Snack Care Package

    A big box of single-serve chips and snacks that will be shared, traded and gone by finals. A care package with no assembly required.

    Frito-LayGets used up

    See it on Amazon

  5. Crock-Pot Lunch Crock Food Warmer

    Heats leftovers at a desk or in the library break room without a microwave. Good for commuter students and anyone tired of cold sandwiches.

    Crock-Pot

    See it on Amazon

  6. DoorDash Gift Card (Email Delivery)

    Late-night food delivery during finals, paid for by someone else. Arrives by email, so it also works as a mid-semester surprise.

    DoorDashArrives by emailGets used up

    See it on Amazon

  7. Apple AirTag

    Clipped to keys, a backpack or a bike, it helps track down things that wander off on a big campus. Cheaper than replacing a lost dorm key card.

    Apple

    See it on Amazon

  8. Bedsure Sherpa Fleece Throw Blanket

    Dorms swing between freezing and stuffy. A soft throw on the bed or desk chair makes a small room feel like theirs.

    Bedsure

    See it on Amazon

Under $100 4 ideas

  1. Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker

    A single-cup brewer narrow enough for a dorm desk. Cheaper than buying coffee before every class, and no carafe to wash.

    Keurig

    See it on Amazon

  2. Logitech MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse

    A comfortable mouse that tracks on almost any surface, including a messy desk or library table. Makes writing papers and spreadsheets less tiring than a trackpad.

    Logitech

    See it on Amazon

  3. The North Face Borealis Backpack

    A padded laptop sleeve, plenty of pockets and a build that survives four years of being dropped on floors. The campus standard for a reason.

    The North Face

    See it on Amazon

  4. Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones

    Lightweight over-ear noise cancelling at a student-friendly price. Long battery life covers a week of classes and study sessions.

    Sony

    See it on Amazon

$100 and up 2 ideas

  1. Apple AirPods Pro 3

    Noise cancelling that blocks out a loud roommate, dining hall or library. For iPhone users, they are the pair that disappears into daily life.

    Apple

    See it on Amazon

  2. Kindle Paperwhite

    Holds every novel on the syllabus plus books read for fun, and it will not buzz with notifications. Reads well in a dark dorm room without waking anyone.

    Amazon

    See it on Amazon