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60 Best Gifts for College Students They’ll Actually Use Daily

Aka prezzies the youth will appreciate.

By Daisy Maldonado, Siena Gagliano and Kim Duong
college studentspinterest icon
Courtesy Image | Khadija Horton

Contrary to popular belief, most college students wouldn't mind an ~upgrade~ from their usual instant ramen dinner or worn-out backpack. And as they get settled in to#collegelife, they're probably realizing now they needed some things they forgot to buy. So now is the perfect time to get that bb adult a gift that’ll make this chapter of their life so much easier.

Small gestures can go a long way. Consider upgrading their dorm room 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 $$$ or a desk accessory organizer to keep their space tidy and cute. All I’m sayin’ is, if I received any one of these gifts while I was in college, I would be ecstatic.

Without further ado, here is the comprehensive list of the best gift ideas for college students.

if they want to cook

Recipes Every College Student Should Know

Recipes Every College Student Should Know
if they want to cook

Recipes Every College Student Should Know

$11 at Amazon

An easy cookbook that has recipes for healthy snacks, meals, and desserts will get their culinary skills goin’.

if sitting at a desk isn't their thing

LapGear Home Office Lap Desk with Device Ledge

LapGear Home Office Lap Desk with Device Ledge
if sitting at a desk isn't their thing

LapGear Home Office Lap Desk with Device Ledge

Credit: Amazon

Here's a must-have for working and studying from bed. And, yes, it even has a place for their phone!

this handy reading light

DEWENWILS Amber Book Reading Light

DEWENWILS Amber Book Reading Light
this handy reading light

DEWENWILS Amber Book Reading Light

Credit: Amazon

For the times they've gotta hit the books in the middle of the night and their roomie is sleeping feet away from them: This reading light will be their saving grace. It's got four different light modes—50 percent amber, 100 percent amber, 50 percent warm white, and 100 percent warm white—to choose from depending on where they're at.

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if they wanna feel secure

Master Lock Portable Safe

Master Lock Portable Safe
if they wanna feel secure

Master Lock Portable Safe

Credit: Amazon

This lil portable safe will keep their valuables, uh, safe while living away from home.

this affordable air fryer

Instant Vortex 4-in-1, 2-QT Mini Air Fryer Oven Combo

Amazon’s Choice
Instant Vortex 4-in-1, 2-QT Mini Air Fryer Oven Combo
this affordable air fryer

Instant Vortex 4-in-1, 2-QT Mini Air Fryer Oven Combo

Credit: Amazon

If they ever run out of meal swipes, they can trust this mini air fryer/oven that air fries, bakes, roasts, and reheats to come to the rescue.

if tea is their thing

Sweese Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid

Sweese Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid
if tea is their thing

Sweese Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser and Lid

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.

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a must-have

Lululemon Crew Backpack

Crew Backpack
a must-have

Lululemon Crew Backpack

Credit: Lululemon

A chic backpack that can hold their laptop and books will definitely come in handy when they're making trips to The Library.

this humidifier

Hey Dewy Wireless, Rechargeable, Portable Humidifier

Hey Dewy Wireless, Rechargeable, Portable Humidifier
this humidifier

Hey Dewy Wireless, Rechargeable, Portable Humidifier

Credit: Amazon

Those college room dorms sure can be stuffy! Treat them to this small (but mighty!) humidifier that'll add some moisture to the air. BTW: This is a great gift for that someone who gets sick often or suffers from year-round allergies.

this snug robe

Pottery Barn Gray Teddy Bear Faux Fur Robe Large

Pottery Barn Gray Teddy Bear Faux Fur Robe Large
this snug robe

Pottery Barn Gray Teddy Bear Faux Fur Robe Large

Now 51% Off
Credit: Pottery Barn

When they're not in class and just in their room chillin', they'll be living in this super soft robe.

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if they need organization

Jerry & Maggie - Desktop Organizer Office Storage Rack Adjustable Wood Display Shelf

On Sale
Jerry & Maggie - Desktop Organizer Office Storage Rack Adjustable Wood Display Shelf
if they need organization

Jerry & Maggie - Desktop Organizer Office Storage Rack Adjustable Wood Display Shelf

Now 27% Off
Credit: Amazon

They won’t have a cluttered desk thanks to this sleek wooden organizer that fits all sorts of office supplies.

if they like to take pics

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera with Film Twin Pack Bundle

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera with Film Twin Pack Bundle
if they like to take pics

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera with Film Twin Pack Bundle

Polaroids aren’t going away anytime soon! They’ll love having this mini Instax around to document their college years.

A gratitude journal

Intelligent Change: The Five Minute Journal

On Sale
Intelligent Change: The Five Minute Journal
A gratitude journal

Intelligent Change: The Five Minute Journal

Now 17% Off

College is full of events—the good, the bad, and the scary. A college student sometimes needs a place to let it all out. This journal takes five minutes each morning and will have them start each day on the right note.

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if they love to snack

Ecolution Microwave Popcorn Popper

On Sale
Ecolution Microwave Popcorn Popper
if they love to snack

Ecolution Microwave Popcorn Popper

Now 20% Off

Whether they're pulling all-nighters or hosting movie nights, having something to snack on is key. And this microwavable popcorn popper will change the game.

if they're big on interior design

Galanz Retro Mini-Fridge with Dual Door True Freezer

Galanz Retro Mini-Fridge with Dual Door True Freezer
if they're big on interior design

Galanz Retro Mini-Fridge with Dual Door True Freezer

Credit: Home Depot

Finally, a mini-fridge that won't ruin the room's aesthetic.

if they love to lounge

Serenedelicacy Silky Satin Pajamas Short-Sleeve Set

On Sale
Serenedelicacy Silky Satin Pajamas Short-Sleeve Set
if they love to lounge

Serenedelicacy Silky Satin Pajamas Short-Sleeve Set

Now 40% Off

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.

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if they’re low on time

NutriBullet Nutrient Extractor

On Sale
NutriBullet Nutrient Extractor
if they’re low on time

NutriBullet Nutrient Extractor

Now 17% Off

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.

if they hate doing laundry

The Laundress New York Fabric Fresh Spray No. 10

The Laundress New York Fabric Fresh Spray No. 10
if they hate doing laundry

The Laundress New York Fabric Fresh Spray No. 10

Laundry day in college = lugging it all 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.

if they need to update their gym shoes

HOKA Clifton 8 Running Shoe

HOKA Clifton 8 Running Shoe
if they need to update their gym shoes

HOKA Clifton 8 Running Shoe

Now 20% Off
Credit: Nordstrom

Walking to class can be a pain if you don't have comfortable gym shoes. These ones from On are totally comfy and super cute.

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This waterproof speaker

Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker​

Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker​
This waterproof speaker

Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker​

Credit: Bose

This portable speaker will be an instant hit to blast their study jams or party playlist when friends come over.

this celebrity-owned skincare bundle

Fenty Beauty The Glow Around 4-Piece Travel Skincare Essentials Set

Fenty Beauty The Glow Around 4-Piece Travel Skincare Essentials Set
this celebrity-owned skincare bundle

Fenty Beauty The Glow Around 4-Piece Travel Skincare Essentials Set

Credit: Fenty Beauty

Name one college student that wouldn't love to receive a new skincare regimen as a gift... a Fenty Beauty one at that. Yeah, thought so! This specific one is a travel set—which includes a cleanser, glow treatment, toner, and SPF-moisturizer— that will make packing for home or spring break so much easier and stress-free.

Headshot of Daisy Maldonado
Daisy Maldonado
Associate Shopping Editor

Daisy Maldonado is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan who loves writing about fashion trends, must-have beauty products, and digital culture. When she's not writing, you can almost certainly find her shopping (she knows her credit card numbers by heart) or obsessing over celebrity news. Although she’s acquired an extensive closet over the years, her favorite item she owns is a Harry Styles Love On Tour hoodie she purchased at his concert in Manchester. Daisy's work has appeared on Refinery29, The Daily Beast, E! News, Allure and more. Keep up with all of her chaotic travels, NYC life and fashionable moments on her Instagram. 

Headshot of Siena Gagliano
Associate Editor

Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces, as well as some fashion and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to achieve ridiculously glowing skin, a super bouncy blowout, or exactly how to use that viral face mask? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As NYC's newest resident, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini this city has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram where you'll see that her account is mostly dedicated to pics of her cute dog and that magazine life.

Headshot of Kim Duong
Senior Shopping Editor

Kim Duong is the senior shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, overseeing shopping coverage online for all things fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and sex. When she's not musing about which products are actually worth your hard-earned cash, she's also writing (sometimes slightly unhinged) fashion content in print. You can find her previous writing in Refinery29, InStyle, Travel + Leisure, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram for bottomless cute dog content and did-that-really-happen-to-me story times in her highlights. 

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