40 Trendy Gifts College Students Say They Want Most

Teens are loving chunky initial necklaces, and this one from Pavoi looks way more expensive than it actually is. Choose from 14K yellow gold plating or stainless steel.

Designed to make schlepping look easy, the Hulken bag is having a moment on social media. It’s basically a giant tote on wheels, perfect for pulling laundry or groceries across campus, or transporting their latest thrift haul.

From study sessions and long walks around campus to watching TV in a shared bedroom, they need a reliable pair of noise-canceling headphones. Apple’s AirPods Max 2 feature immersive high-fidelity audio and up to 20 hours of battery life.

Chances are, they can’t light candles in their campus housing. This pretty candle lamp will let them enjoy their favorite scents without the smoke. Bonus points if you get them a trendy candle to go with it (Diptyque is really popular right now).

On rainy days, the friend group can break out this entertaining card game that’s designed to strike up conversation and stir up emotions. There are 150 rarely asked questions.

They’ll get so many compliments on this metallic backpack when they flaunt it around campus. Available in tons of colors, it’s got a 14-inch laptop sleeve, multiple pockets for organized storage, and a luggage sleeve for seamless travel.

Whether for their calendar or planner, these cutesy stickers will help them stay organized. There are seven pages of designs to keep them on track, from “Due Today” and “Reminder!” to “Brunch.”

Students could use a moment of R&R after a long night spent studying. Summer Fridays is a trending beauty brand among the younger gen, and these hydrogel eye patches deeply hydrate, soothe, and de-puff.

They can fill their wall with memories old and new with this 17-foot string of lights, complete with 50 clear clips to display photos. This is an easy decoration piece for a dorm wall that they can build out over time. Plus, there are eight different modes of lighting (from twinkle and slow fade to chasing and flash).

No oil is needed to use this popper! The temperature-safe glass can be placed in the microwave for three minutes or less to make popcorn in a snap. If they prefer their snack mix with butter, they can use the lid to melt a slab overtop.

For college kids that recently moved into their first apartment or off-campus house, they’re probably attempting to cook for the first time. Encourage them to add recipes to their repertoire with a meal delivery service, like HelloFresh, which will send easy-to-follow cooking steps and all of the ingredients they need.

This large storage pouch can hold up to 50 pens and pencils. The hand-held design makes it easy to transport, while the various colors and patterns make it a stylish addition to their school bag. This is especially great for the student who handwrites all of their notes.

Whether they’re living in the dorms or an apartment off campus, a compact coffee machine is a must—and this one might encourage them to whip up fancy drinks. One of Nespresso’s newer models, this small machine produces a variety of espresso and coffee sizes.

RELATED: 6 Best Nespresso Machines We Tested—and Love

To pair with their at-home coffee machine, gift them a chic mug that’ll fit a large serving of joe. This one’s also microwave safe.

Whether they’re hanging with friends or walking to class, loungewear is their attire. I swear by Alo’s sweat sets—they’re so soft and hold up really well in the wash. Make sure you buy the matching pants, too.

Here's another gift that'll make weekends fun. This mini projector has built-in speakers and provides viewers with lifelike images and videos when connected to their device of choice, per the brand.

If sleeping in a room with one or more roommates has impacted their sleep, try gifting them a silk eye mask that's cool to the touch and can help block out light in a co-sleeping space.

They won't have to worry about their phone dying while hanging out with friends or studying late. They can attach this MagSafe power bank to the back of their phone to juice up—no cords required.