7 Gifts Students Heading to Grad School Could Use

By Kailey Walters on June 2, 2018

A special person in your life has just graduated from undergrad and is preparing to embark on the next leg of their journey — grad school. Congratulations! For them, this transition is bound to be an exciting, memorable time of change, in which they’re thinking about what they’ll need to do to prepare for grad school.

While they may have completed their applications and know what institution they’ll be attending in the fall, there are probably some ways they’re not fully prepared yet. That’s where you, the generous friend and gift-giver, come in. As a way to show your appreciation for this special person — whether they be a friend, family member, significant other, etc. — of course, you want to do your best in picking out a gift for them. Sometimes it can be difficult choosing the “right” gift, as you want to make sure it’s something they’ll enjoy and use well in grad school.

If you’re stuck on gift ideas, read on for a few suggestions that might make your grad student happy.

watch, black, time

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1. A nice watch.

A watch is usually a nice gesture because it’s classy, stylish, and useful all at the same time. Any budding grad student is sure to appreciate an elegant watch that will not only look good with their outfit, but also help them to conveniently figure out what time it is.

If you want to splurge on a beautiful, expensive, fancy watch, then go for it. However, not all watches necessarily have sky high prices; some can be bought at a reasonable price. Scavenging department stores and any local shops near you might be fruitful in finding a good deal for a nice watch. When shopping, keep in mind the personal style and tastes of the person you’re buying for.

2. A wallet.

If your grad student has been toting around an old, threadbare, fading wallet for the past several years, maybe it’s time to get them a new one. Not only will a new wallet help keep their cash, credit cards, and other important items neatly organized, but it will also hopefully be a place for them to store their money confidently and securely (while, of course, trying not to think about how much grad school is costing them).

3. Accessories for a professional wardrobe.

With your new grad student heading off into a world of professionalism and important first impressions, it’s imperative that they look and dress the part. While you don’t have to get them an entire new wardrobe, gifting them a simple accessory to help them along could go a long way. For example, for men a useful accessory might involve a tie or a nice leather briefcase; for women, some helpful ideas could include a stylish yet practical handbag or some jewelry to go with their professional outfit. There are many possibilities!

4. Cooking supplies.

If your grad student is going to be living in their own place for the first time, it may be a good idea to help them out with their meals. Providing them with kitchenware such as pots, pans, plates, bowls, silverware, etc. — while maybe not super glamorous — is sure to be quite helpful, especially if you gift them a set of kitchenware that all comes together. You might also consider gifting an instant pot, which is extremely convenient as it’s a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and many other things all in one appliance.

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5. Luggage.

As your grad student is probably going places, you’ll want to help them along their journey. Getting them a suitcase or a luggage set is a nice gesture to show that you want to see them expanding their horizons and going out to see the world. What’s more, if they’re planning to move into their own place somewhere away from home, a luggage set will be put to good use during the moving process.

6. School supplies.

Alright, maybe they have enough of this already, but you never really know how much is too much. After all, grad school requires a lot of reading, writing things down, taking notes, and organizing information. What better way to do that than by being adequately prepared with plenty of pens, pencils, highlighters, colorful Post-it notes, notebooks, and more? Throwing in some stationary and maybe even a calendar is a nice touch that can tie together the whole gift.

7. A coffee machine.

Everyone, especially college and grad students, loves coffee. What better way to show your grad student how greatly you support their coffee addiction/need for re-energization through caffeine than by gifting them a handy coffee maker? That way, they’ll be able to conveniently make coffee in the comfort of their own living space, instead of having to constantly buy expensive coffee elsewhere.

In the end, whatever you get your grad student as a gift is sure to be appreciated. Congratulations to all the college graduates who are moving on to grad school!

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