Question for college students/ please help :)

[wdwmom0f3]

What is something that you use daily that makes your life at college better or easier? Would it be an Ipad, Kendal or something else like that? My MIL & FIL are wanting to get DD something special for her HS graduation and I have NO idea what to tell them. They are wanting to get her something that will be useful for her in college. They want a gift, not cash. Help!! I have asked DD and she does not have a clue.

 

[tvguy]

As a parent with 2 kids in college MY response would be:
A computer if she doesn't have one.
Too bad cash isn't an option, because my mom paid my daughter's tuition her first year, and it was an enormously special gift to her, and the whole family.

I'm reading you post minutes after my son just got off the phone with his girlfriend who currently has $60,000 in student debt, and is starting grad school and is looking at taking on another $20,000 in debt.

 

[golfgal]

A laptop would be the top thing on every college kid's list if they want to go the electronics route. Pretty much every room in DS's dorm had a TV. A Nook or Kindle would be nice but I don't recall having much time to read for pleasure in college.

 

[RitaZ.]

What is something that you use daily that makes your life at college better or easier? Would it be an Ipad, Kendal or something else like that? My MIL & FIL are wanting to get DD something special for her HS graduation and I have NO idea what to tell them. They are wanting to get her something that will be useful for her in college. They want a gift, not cash. Help!! I have asked DD and she does not have a clue.

Does she have a laptop? If not, that's what I recommend.

 

[MoonFaerie]

My must haves:
A laptop
A good, sturdy backpack
Supportive shoes (On an average day, I walk 3 miles around campus, and I'm a commuter)

My nice to have:
Smartphone (email, calendar, studyblue, etc)
ipod (for trekking those 3 miles )
Kindle

Wish I had but don't need:
Ipad

 

[Disneyland Princess]

A printer is always a nice thing to have! I love having my own and not having to go to the library when a big paper is due.
Like others have said a laptop is a must have and if they are living in a dorm a mini fridge and microwave is also really nice to have.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

How much are they looking to spend?

An IPAD is expensive and the new ones require a monthly data plan. My college dd would love that but that is too expensive for us.

A Kindle might be nice. I do not have one, but that is probably more affordable than an IPAD. They have come way down in price.

Do you know what college she is going to? Is she staying in a dorm?

You can get the "dorm rules" and find out if she needs a fridge, microwave, etc?

Then there is always bedding, linens, towels, bathroom stuff....(That is what my mom got my dd for college. I did not have to buy any of that. It was nice.)

 

[Brier Rose]

My DD is just about to finish up her first year. When she left we had her loaded down with just about every gadget and gizmo we could think of.
About the only thing she has consistently found use for, besides her laptop, is her Keurig!

She uses it for everyything..from coffee to tea to hot water for soup. It came in very handy when she was sick a few weeks ago and didn't wanna leave her room all weekend.

 

[disneygirl_wdw]

I find a laptop is great to have. If you are looking for something cheap a usb drive is must. The thing I have found to be the most beneficial is my iPhone though, which I am assuming an iPod touch would work. There are many apps I use for school such as a homework planner, our university app, email, various conversion and translation apps. It has really helped me. I have also noticed a few students with kindles, I do know not a lot of my books for school are not available on there. So unless they are taking a lot of literature classes a Kindle might be for more personal use.

 

[Disneyland Princess]

My DD is just about to finish up her first year. When she left we had her loaded down with just about every gadget and gizmo we could think of.
About the only thing she has consistently found use for, besides her laptop, is her Keurig!

She uses it for everyything..from coffee to tea to hot water for soup. It came in very handy when she was sick a few weeks ago and didn't wanna leave her room all weekend.

Oh this is a great one if she likes coffee or tea! I have a Nescafe Dolce Gusto Machine and love it. Makes my morning classes just a little more bearable.

 

[Nolcrest]

Of course Laptop is #1. Maybe a printer or a tv for her room. Bedding, luggage, $ to cover textbooks (I know you said no cash, but this was so appreciated by my daughter when she rec'vd $ to cover expenses).

My DD was so busy w/school work that she didn't have time for leisure reading.

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

A laptop, definitely, if she doesn't already have one. I also use my ipod and my kindle a lot. My grandfather bought me a TV with a built in DVD player for my graduation- it's a great stress reliever to pop in a favorite movie or watch a favorite show after a long day. Because of my TV, I also host a lot of social gatherings for movie nights and tv nights for our favorite shows.

 

[mamacatnv]

DS is here "decompressing" after finals last week
His response in order

Laptop
NetBook (he has both, one stays at his residence and the netbook he takes everywhere)
Smart Phone with an unlimited data plan
xBox 360 w/xbox live
Camera - a decent small digital to record all the memories
Printer with extra ink
Primo parking pass if not living on campus
Bike or other mode of transportation - DS actually uses his scooter often
TV with cable

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Does she have a laptop? If not, that's what I recommend.

Yes, she has a laptop & an itouch. I don't really want anything with a required monthly fee such as an ipad. (I didn't realize that.) I really wish they would give her cash for her savings account but since that's not an option, I'm counting on you!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just got my son his laptop a few weeks ago. His new printer arrived today.

They allow microwave ovens and mini-refrigerators in his dorm as well. So if he doesn't get one at the Senior Casino night after graduation (all night event with parental supervison to earn points to "buy" good stuff to take to college all donated by parents/faculty/alumni/local merchants).

A bike might also be nice if she would ride to and from class.

At first he thought he might like an IPad, but now thinks they are just neat toys. Not all that useful for school.

If they get a laptop, get one with an integrated camera so they can Skype her at school.

How about a digital camera? My son is dying for a Wii.

 

[honugirl]

May want to look into an ipad because what seems to be coming down the pike is downloadable textbooks. It's cheaper for both the students and the colleges. Paper textbooks will eventually be obsolete. My community college is considering it right now. Some of my textbooks are available in electronic form already.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Just got my son his laptop a few weeks ago. His new printer arrived today.

They allow microwave ovens and mini-refrigerators in his dorm as well. So if he doesn't get one at the Senior Casino night after graduation (all night event with parental supervison to earn points to "buy" good stuff to take to college all donated by parents/faculty/alumni/local merchants).

A bike might also be nice if she would ride to and from class.

At first he thought he might like an IPad, but now thinks they are just neat toys. Not all that useful for school.

If they get a laptop, get one with an integrated camera so they can Skype her at school.

How about a digital camera? My son is dying for a Wii.

She also has a digital camera and we have a Wii, but she never plays it anymore.

Keep the ideas coming, I am making a list!!

 

[mickeysgal]

With two kids in college the #1 must have item is a laptop. But please, let them pick it out. DS wanted a certain kind of Dell...DD wanted a Macbook Pro. Maybe money toward a laptop would be best.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

I vote for a netbook. So much easier than carrying around a laptop!

 

[ksjayhawks]

I vote for the netbook as well. Even if she has the laptop, it will be much easier to cart around.

It textbooks are downloadable at her school, then a nook or kindle or ipad would be great.