Looking for the best college freshman gifts to purchase? Whether you’re shopping for yourself or that soon-to-be college student in your life, I’ve got the perfect picks that they’ll actually use and totally love!
Going to college is seriously such an exciting time! College freshman gifts are an amazing way to send off the new college student the right way.
Sometimes it can be really stressful to buy gifts when you don’t know what to get! Trust me, I’ve been there! But don’t worry, I’m here to make it easy for you. Let me be the one to say that I swear by these college freshman gifts ideas.
No fluff!
Instead, I am giving you realistic gifts that your college freshman would want and actually USE. These gifts will not collect dust. In fact, my student was recently announced as valedictorian and as a surprise, I gifted her with one of the gift ideas that I will be listing for you. Her response? “Wow, this is so perfect and the perfect size! I needed this.” I kid you not!
This post is all about the perfect college freshman gifts.
BEST COLLEGE FRESHMAN GIFTS:
1. Portable Charger
Being away from home can feel a little overwhelming, so it’s super important to make sure your college freshman has a portable charger. You never know when their phone might run low, and it’s always better to be prepared whether it’s for a quick check-in or an emergency.
Between sporting events, school activities, and everything else on their schedule, having a portable charger on hand is a game changer!
Even if they are not headed to an event, I recommend making it a habit to charge the portable charger every night, just like their phone. That way, they’re always ready to grab it, toss it in their bag, and go.
Now your college freshman won’t have to worry about scrambling to find an outlet between classes or missing your phone calls or messages. Trust me, it’s one of those small things that can make a big difference in their daily routine!
A dead phone has the ability to throw everything off track.
2. Bluetooth Speaker
Music can have such a huge part in kicking off the day with good vibes and positive energy! It’s the perfect boost to get you moving and motivated, especially when you’re heading into a busy college day.
During undergrad, I used to play my music out loud on my iPhone every morning while getting ready for class, but I wish I had a Bluetooth speaker to take it up a notch!
College students are all about music and you can hear it blasting through the halls at times. Depending on the time of day of course! Bluetooth speakers are the way to go because there’s no need to mess with wires. Just a quick Bluetooth connection, and BAM that’s it.
This is the kind of gift your college freshman will love and use every day. Trust me, it’ll be a hit!
3. College Planner
College can be overwhelming with so many things to juggle such as assignments, deadlines, group projects, and the list goes on. It’s so important for every student to have something to keep it all together.
Between weekly assignments from different professors, meetings, and various deadlines, staying organized is a must!
If your soon-to-be college student loves planners, I’ve found the perfect one! It’s from a company called The Dailee, and their planners are perfect for type-A students who need structure. They’ve thought of everything so whatever you would want in a college planner, it’s in there! You’ve got to check it out for one of your college freshman gifts.
4. LED Desk Lamp
You don’t always need to have the main light on in your dorm room! Honestly, I don’t even live in a dorm right now, and I still think the main lights are totally not needed most of the time.
A desk lamp is the perfect solution it gives you the right amount of light without being overwhelming!
For example, when I was in college, my roommate would often nap, and instead of turning on the bright overhead light, I’d just use my desk lamp. It kept things cozy and didn’t disturb anyone.
Oh, and here’s one of the best parts about this college freshman gift…it has a USB port! So this may sound so minor but I kid you not it will make a difference once you have it. This is another opportunity for the students phone to be charged without having to plug your phone charger in a hard to reach area.
5. Single Serve Coffee Maker
This is soo perfect for the coffee lovers out there!
Being a college student means that more than likely you don’t have the extra funds to dish out on Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts every single day.
Having a coffee maker in your dorm allows you to make as many cups of as you would like and save money at the same time.
Most universities actually allow coffee makers in dorms, which is such a win! But to be sure, I’d recommend checking with the residential hall department at your college to confirm their policy.
6. Dorm Room Bedding Essentials
Bedding is super personal, and everyone has their own style and preferences when it comes to what they sleep on. Since it’s something they’ll be using every single day, you want to make sure you’re choosing something that fits their taste and comfort needs.
Bedding essentials can include: a comforter, fitted sheet, flat sheet, pillow cases, pillows, mattress pad/topper, throw blanket. (Fun fact: I’m obsessed with throw blankets!)
If you are interested in purchasing a comforter set for them, I’d suggest reaching out to the college student and asking for links or suggestions on the comforter set they have in mind so you can pick the perfect one that they would love.
7. College Apparel
You really can’t go wrong with gifting college apparel! Whether it’s a hat, shirt, hoodie, sweatpants, jacket, or even a jersey, they’ll love it, and it’s something they’ll definitely get tons of use out of!
It’s a great way to get them even more excited and pumped to begin their new journey as a college student.
There are various sites to choose from when it comes to purchasing gear. I suggest checking out the school’s official bookstore website, Etsy, Amazon, Fanatics, and even TikTok Shop has them! There are so many more websites that sell gear so a simple google search will do the trick as well.
8. Power Strip w/ USB
A college student without a doubt needs a power strip! It’s an absolute lifesaver with all the electronics they need to plug in such as laptop, phone, desk lamp, bluetooth speaker, clock, and the list goes on. With all those devices, a power strip is essential to keep everything charged and ready to go!
And a bonus? Get it with the USB port. I can’t tell you how many times that little block for your charger mysteriously disappears. A power strip with built-in USB ports is a great backup for when the charging block vanishes or when there just aren’t enough outlets.
It’s a win-win!
9. Laptop
This gift may be on the pricier side, but it’s absolutely worth it and it’s something every college student will truly appreciate! It’s not just a gift; it’s an investment in their success. Whether they’re in undergrad or grad school, this gift will last for years!
Think about how much easier it makes their life; no more hunting for an open computer in a crowded lab or library. They can work in the comfort of their own space whenever they need to, which means more productivity and less stress.
It’s so convenient! It’s one of those gifts that keeps on giving.
10. Vanity Mirror
Some universities may already have a built-in vanity area with a mirror, so if that’s the case, you might not need to gift a vanity mirror. But if your college student is like I was, stuck staring at a blank wall while sitting at their desk, this is what you need!
For anyone who loves doing makeup, this gift will make all the difference. They’ll be able to sit down and get a close-up view of their face, making it easier than ever to perfect their look.
Plus, the lights that come with the vanity mirror ensure they’ll have perfect lighting no matter the time of day. The majority of women love vanity mirrors and want one so you can’t go wrong with this gift!
11. Water Jug/Tumblr
Just get it! Honestly, I could stop right here.
But here’s a fun idea to really kick it up a notch… grab them a college-themed tumbler cup! I did this for my valedictorian student a few weeks ago, and she loved it so much. She even said it was the perfect size to toss in her backpack because the one she had was way too large.
There are tons of tumbler options out there, but I’d recommend getting one that keeps drinks hot or cold for a long time.
It’s a simple yet thoughtful way to make sure your soon-to-be college student stays hydrated on the go. They’ll definitely love it!
Wow this is good stuff! Thank you because my niece is graduating this year so this definitely helps.