I know graduation is a million miles away for a lot of high school seniors, but I promise by Christmas people will be asking you what you want/need for college. Here's a good list to get you started, and you can add your personal needs. This list is also a great starter for anyone looking to purchase graduation gifts.
1. Barnes and Noble gift card.
Lots of university book stores use Barnes and Noble as their supplier, and these gift cards will be super important when classes start. Going to the bookstore and dropping about $400 on books the first week was not pleasant. Some gift cards would've made that blow a lot less significant.
2. A planner.
The small ones that go in your book bag for everyday stuff, the big white boards with blocks on them to make calendars, or basically any other thing that will help someone keep all their events straight.
3. NOT anything colored or patterned to go in a dorm room
If you buy/receive something before you buy your bedspread, you will feel obligated to make your bedspread match this piece. If you are buying someone a gift, know with full certainty what their colors/style will be for their room before buying anything that has color or pattern.
4. If the person has a Keurig, get their favorite K-Cups. If not, get them Starbucks gift cards.
Even if someone doesn't drink coffee, the Starbucks gift cards will come in handy when hot chocolate season rolls around.
5. Gift cards to on campus eateries.
No one can eat dining hall food every day, but it feels a little more justified to eat somewhere else if you have a gift card. Those gift cards will come in handy as a good pick-me-up before/after a test with some better food.
6. Small pepper spray
I had a small pepper spray hanging from my lanyard (until I broke it). It made me feel a lot safer walking around campus at night.
7. Change purse with the ID part.
You know, the small ones that Vera Bradley makes where you can keep a few dollars in it and slide your cards in the front. This is nice because almost all colleges require some sort of Student ID card. This is a more convenient way to keep up with it than carrying your wallet everywhere or sliding it in your pocket.
9. Pods
The convenient things that you throw in the washing machine.
10. 10 foot phone charger
The plugs in dorm rooms may not always be conveniently located, and if your bed is lofted, you will definitely want a long phone charger.
11. Towel Wraps
Its just easier to walk from the bathroom to your room when the towel is velcro-ed in place.
