The new semester has recently started for most, if not all students. After coming back from a nice winter break, students return with a lot of new things that were given to them as gifts from family and friends. Now, we college students are young adults, and generally our idea of a good gift has shifted in taste to focus on what we need more than what we want. I went around asking some students what their ideal gift was, besides money and gift cards, which is probably the most common. In no specific order, here are some of the things they mentioned.

1. A Keurig & K-Cups

Now, if you do not know what this is, it is a Fancy Nancy apparatus that you put a small cup of coffee or tea into, and press down. Then, with the water that you have already set in the machine, it will make you a nice cup of hot coffee or tea in the morning when you wake up, or at night if you are doing those late night cram sessions for your exam the next day. College students are basically nocturnal creatures. Not even nocturnal... we probably do not sleep anymore. Aside from school, many of us have work and other responsibilities as well. A good coffee maker with the right flavored brew can really help give that boost of energy to run around campus from back to back classes and then endless studying for the semester.

2. Fuzzy Socks

You know back then if you got socks for a gift, it was the equivalent to coal on Christmas. Come to think of it, when I see people wearing their brand name socks like Nike or Adidas, and those socks are about $18 per pair, you think... man, sometimes a nice pair of socks, or fuzzy socks, can really do you well. Especially for keeping warm in the winter when the heater in your dorm is acting like a little b-word again, and it feels like you are in the freezer because you forgot to pack pajama pants, and you are now stuck with keeping warm with running shorts, long socks and a comforter.

3. School supplies

Before the fall semester starts, students usually head out to Office Max to stock up on all the new supplies you may need for the new school year. Utilize it, because school supplies are not cheap, my friend. 1 two-inch binder can cost from $5 to even $10, and a pack of two mechanical pencils costs about $7.

4. Anything to keep these college students clean

Okay, you might be reading this list feeling like I am insane for thinking that these are gifts. But in reality now, you have to think practically. To be honest, I will just flat out say that college students are nasty. You have the select few who stay clean and the others who's dorms look like World War Z because they do not have time to clean up. Things like laundry detergent, fabric softeners, hair care, hand sanitizer and soap. You can get fancy and get the soap from Bath & Body Works, no one is stopping you! Their products smell great. Help us try to keep college students cleaner and healthier. Please.

5. Technology

This is obviously one of the favorites. Laptops, printers and tablets are obviously a very prime choice in what college students might put on their wish lists. How the system works today is, you have a divide between the students who take notes the classic way (with a paper and pencil) and the students who use their laptops or iPads to take notes. Whatever keeps these students productive and successful.

6. Umbrellas

You can never have too many of them. I myself have one in my car and one in my backpack. We have our sunny days, and we have the days where it is like a monsoon is coming on campus. Unfortunately, not everyone is going to be prepared for walking in the rain. And frankly, even I leave my umbrellas out sometimes, and it is very helpful to not be soaking wet while you are wearing a white shirt and jeans.

7. Portable chargers

We live in a world today where everyone is engulfed in their phones. Checking who is following who on Twitter, if Harry Styles finally posted a non black and white picture on his Instagram, who is Amber Rose starting drama with now, or sometimes checking the Blackboard app, because we forgot if an assignment is due or not. Our phones work more than we do and like life, battery life is not permanent either. Sometimes, it is great to be able to pull out a portable charger if we accidentally left our charger in our car, or we could not find a power outlet.

8. Clothes and shoes

Probably my personal favorite. If you are living on campus, then you know that sometimes space is very limited in the closet and drawers. Students are always walking around, going from place to place, so comfortable (and, of course, fashionable) clothes and shoes are a plus. Plus, clothes are expensive I would love to be taken on a shopping spree.

9. A neck pillow

Sometimes, if not always, college students crouch their head down in uncomfortable positions while studying and keep a bad posture. Either studying on their beds, or sitting at their desks while doing homework can put a bad strain on your neck. Adding a little extra comfort definitely goes a long way.

10. FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

Even if it is just taking them out to dinner, college students are always hungry. I mean, come on, name one person that does not love food. On top of being broke, it is not easy with the food situation, and living off Pringles (or, if you are the healthy type, kale chips) takes a toll on your health. Keeping college kids well-nourished is a very beautiful gift. Like, feed us, and we will be very content.

Overall, with any gift, it is the thought that counts. As college students who are away from home, we are just looking for those extra things that make our lives just a bit easier as we are taking these steps of living alone without the help of our parents.