College is a fun but intimidating time for parents and students alike, especially at the start. For many freshmen, this is their first time living on their own and away from their family. With trends changing by the day, it can be tough to figure out what your student will actually need and use during those valuable few years. We found the best gifts that will help them turn their dorm into a home away from home. From study essentials like reusable notebooks to arguably less-fun essentials like shower shoes, we’ve got you covered.
Get padded protection with this puffy laptop sleeve
For college students, a laptop is basically their lifeline. This padded laptop case uses puffer fabric to protect the thing that matters most. The compressible design means the case can fit into even the most textbook-packed bags. There are 13 different colors that fit most 13–14 inch computers.
Grab a last-minute lunch with this ramen variety pack
Missing lunch hours at the dining hall is bound to happen, and your kid is going to eat ramen anyway—might as well make it more exciting. Pick up this authentic ramen variety pack with vegetarian, spicy, original, and more fun flavors. It even comes with chopsticks and a fortune cookie to end their meal on a high note.
Charge devices on the walk to class with this USB charging backpack
This spacious backpack features multiple pockets and ample room to store even a 15.6 inch laptop. It features a padded back with ventilated straps for ultimate comfort when lugging textbooks all the way across campus. The best feature? It has a built-in USB charger and cable so they’ll never have to deal with a dead phone again!
Enjoy home-cooked meals with this electric hot pot
One of the worst parts about freshman year is being stuck in the dorms without a stove. One can only take so many microwave meals or dining hall dishes. This electric hot pot can be used to boil, sauté, and more! No stovetop required.
Decorate dorms easily with this pocket printer
This thermal pocket printer allows your college kid to seamlessly print their favorite photos to decorate their dorm. Simply connect to the app via Bluetooth and enjoy one-click printing! It’s portable enough to bring back home for breaks so you can take advantage of it too!
Pile on the protein with these Muscle Mac cups
We all know Easy Mac and ramen make up the typical diet of college students but without any protein, it’s pointless! These Muscle Mac cups offer the convenience of microwaveable mac and cheese with 20 grams of protein per serving to not only keep them fed, but fueled too.
Keep school supplies or makeup contained with this rotating desk organizer
Encourage your college kid to keep their desk clean with this rotating organizer. With 5 different sections, it effortlessly organizes school supplies like pens, pencils, or highlighters. It can also turn a dorm desk into a vanity and store makeup brushes or everyday makeup products. It comes in 10 different colors that match any dorm decor.
The Bose SoundLink Speaker lasts from the pregame to the party
There’s something about getting ready for a night out with music blasting that brings people together. The Bose SoundLink Speaker has a 12-hour battery life and is waterproof so when someone inevitably spills some Burnett’s on it, it’ll still keep the party going.
These satin pillowcases protect hair and skin
These silky pillowcases turn a stuffy dorm room bed into a spa-like sanctuary. The silky texture reduces friction—and bad hair days. Who doesn’t want to spend less time in the communal showers? With 35 different colors to choose from, match to their comforter or add a cool accent color.
Stay safe on campus with the SABRE pepper spray keychain
Pepper spray is a must-have for any college student. Keep them safe while walking back to the dorm after a work study shift or a party with this quick-release keychain. It’s small enough to hold comfortably while walking and quickly delivers powerful pepper spray.
Survive and thrive during freshman year with help from this how-to book
It’s normal for incoming freshmen to have questions that they might not want to ask their parents about. This amusing how-to guide offers guidance regarding roommate issues, romance, and everything in between. It’s a must-have for any college student living away from home for the first time.
Carry everything to class with this canvas tote bag
From laptops to notebooks and water bottles, college kids carry around a lot of crap. This canvas crossbody bag has 2 large front pockets, a back pocket, and magnetic closure for easy access. With 16 different options, grab this in their school colors to show some spirit or their favorite color.
Redefine reading and note-taking with the reMarkable tablet
The reMarkable tablet is designed to feel just like paper. At only 4.7 mm, it’s extremely thin and can easily fit in any bag for studying or note-taking on the go. Easily convert handwriting to typed documents and sort files and notes with folders and tags.
Make any movie night better with this gourmet microwave popcorn set
When one person smells popcorn, everyone is going to want some. This gourmet popcorn set comes with 12 sleeves of four different flavors—enough for the whole hall! It comes with classic butter, salted caramel, lightly salted, and sweet and hot Maui Heat. Just pour the pack into the included silicone bowl and they’re good to go!
Power late night study sessions with this LED table lamp
This tabletop lamp provides ample lighting for studying or getting ready to go out. It even has USB-C and USB-A charger ports on the arm to keep devices juiced up before a night out. It has adjustable light settings so they can dim it when roommates go to bed.
Keep must-have writing supplies close by with this stationery kit
This stationery kit comes with highlighters, pens, mechanical pencils, and more in a convenient carrying case. No more asking classmates for a pen when they forget—keep them close by. Enjoy smooth writing with the gel pens, stress-free note taking with multiple mechanical pencils, and focus on important information with the brightly colored highlighters.
This super-thin power bank slips into any backpack or pocket
This power bank features a USB-C port to charge all of your devices directly—no need to grab new cords. At just 0.5-inches thick, it can conveniently fit in pockets or backpacks. It can charge an iPhone around three times and AirPods Pro 13 times!
Organize school supplies with this Mr. Pen sticky note and tab kit
Using sticky notes or divider tabs is one of the best ways to organize binders or rented textbooks. This kit from Mr. Pen includes 150 neon tab dividers and a wide variety of sizes and colors of sticky notes.
Carry all the essentials with this shower caddy
This high-quality shower caddy comes in seven colors and features a durable hook and multiple pockets to keep all their necessities nearby. The waterproof pocket ensures they can blast their favorite tunes in the shower without fear of water damage or dropping their phone.
You never know when they’ll need this tool kit
The worst thing in college is realizing you need something that you don’t have. Depending on the campus, there might not be a way to get it. This tool kit is small enough to fit in any closet or any dorm bed and includes everything they’ll need for small repairs or DIY projects.
Splurge on their favorite snacks with the CraveBox Snack Box
College is stressful! Give kids their favorite snacks to fuel study sessions, after class sports, and more. The CraveBox comes with a variety of 50 salty and sweet snack favorites. From gummy bears to Chex Mix and everything in between, there’s plenty of options that your student, and inevitably their suitemates, will love.
Stay safe with the Birdie personal alarm
You can never be too safe when walking around a college campus, especially after dark. The Birdie personal alarm creates a loud siren and flashing strobe lights when the top pin is removed. It can be used multiple times by putting the pin back on and can last for up to 40 continual minutes.
Protect feet from communal showers with these slip-ons
Rule #1 of college is don’t forget your shower shoes! These quick-drying nonslip shoes have drainage holes to prevent feet from getting soaked and leaving sloppy footprints in the dorm hallway. They come in six different colors to match towels or robes.
Comfort them with this custom location necklace
This custom necklace is available in gold, white gold, and rose gold. The bar style is a timeless piece that looks great with any other jewelry or outfit. Add the outline of their home state, their favorite phrase, nickname, and more!
Overcome homesickness with these Open When Envelopes
Even the most independent college student reaches a point where they miss their parents. Give them a little encouragement with these Open When Envelopes. Write a letter and tuck in some of their favorite treats or photos to show them that you’re thinking about them too!
The Five Minute Journal encourages affirmations and self-reflection
College kids are always on a tight schedule. Between classes, studying, and extracurriculars, it can be hard to find time to unwind. The Five Minute Journal cultivates gratitude and appreciation and allows them to connect with themselves in just a few minutes each day.
Let your kid know you’re thinking of them with these long-distance lamps
Living away from home for the first time is enough to make any kid at least a little homesick. These long-distance lamps connect to Wi-Fi and light up when one user taps the lamp! It’s the long-distance equivalent of giving them a hug or squeezing their hand to reassure them that they’re doing great.
Get them to stop being a couch potato with these hacky sacks
Encourage your college kid to spend some time outdoors on the Quad with this hacky sack set. It’s a classic way to meet new people and spend time away from their phones to unwind after a long day of classes.
Stop lugging around laundry with this laundry backpack
We all know college kids put off doing laundry until the very last minute. Anything that can help lighten the load is a yes from us. This Laundry Backpack will save your kid’s back as they haul a month’s worth of laundry to the basement. They’re still going to text you to load their laundry account, though.
No closet space, no problem thanks to these closet organizers
Organization can save the day when you’re working with a tiny dorm room closet, so we love this pack of six closet organizers. When used vertically, these hangers save more than 80% of space and keep clothes neatly separated and wrinkle-free.
Stay hydrated with this filtering Brita bottle
Being properly hydrated is essential for multiple health reasons, but also because you know college kids are drinking multiple times a week! This Brita Premium Filtering Water Bottle eliminates the need for single-use plastic bottles and uses an activated carbon block filter that cuts taste and odor that comes from school drinking fountains.
Show them you care with these cute care package stickers
Final exam time sucks, so a care package from home can really get the college kids in your life through a rough time. This Final Exam Care Package Sticker Kit is perfect to decorate the box you put the goodies in to make your kid smile.
We love this leather composition notebook
This cute and handy leather composition notebook adds an air of elegance to any school supply spread. It’s great to have on hand to take notes in class, or to rage-write the message you really want to send your situationship to avoid having to see it in your notes app down the line.
Prevent dangerous drinking with this drink cover scrunchie
This is a non-negotiable item for any college student. Keep your drink safe with these handy Drink Cover Scrunchies that easily pop over any glass or can so you can relax and have fun knowing you’re keeping yourself protected. Safe partying is the best partying.
Spend the day outside with this light-up saucer
Instead of throwing around a football next time you and your dorm mates are bored, try this LED Flying Disc instead. It has up to 16.7 million color variations created from 36 RGB LEDs– we’re not quite sure what that means either, but this thing is fun, especially at nighttime.
Make your favorite meals in the microwave with this ramen cooker
When ramen noodles are your main food group, this microwavable Layron Ramen Cooker Ramen Bowl Set is a game-changer. No more waiting for water to boil, make your ramen in the microwave and save valuable time. Eat your weight in noodles and without having to worry about excessive cleanup.
Organize everyday life with this planner
There’s just something about a well-organized planner that makes us feel like we have our lives together. This Clever Fox Daily Planner is simple yet beautiful and will help you organize the chaos that is college life with the hourly schedule and to-do lists.
Keep your cup clean with this cleaning brush
2024 was the year of the Stanley—we cannot live without ours! Hydration is key, but so is keeping your cup clean. This 3-in-1 Cup Lid Cleaning Brush makes keeping your drink hygienic a breeze by effectively tackling tough stains, narrow spaces, and tight corners.
Get sh*t done on the go with this portable lap desk
This AboveTEK Portable Lap Desk is perfect for last minute cram sessions outside the exam hall or getting assignments done on the go. The anti-slip surface creates a sturdy place for a laptop or writing notes. There’s even a retractable mouse pad—lifesaver.