If you have a student in your life, whether it’s a partner, family member, or child, you may have seen first-hand how hard they work to advance their education. From nights spent studying after working a full-time job or fitting in courses while being an active-duty servicemember, you know that there is nothing they won’t do to achieve their goals. Their drive is a huge inspiration, and this gift-giving season could be a great time to show them how much you appreciate them and their hard work.
Whether you’re looking for a personalized gift, useful desk supplies to help them with multitasking, or just a little something to help them with their work-school-life balance, this guide from University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) could help inspire just the right gift this holiday season.
Learning and Productivity Gifts
Desk calendar and planner: Time management is essential for a student’s success in their education. The upcoming new year provides a great opportunity to gift students with new calendars and planners. A recent study found that physically writing things down can improve brain connectivity and is beneficial for learning, making this gift a great option.
Noise-canceling headphones: Don’t let distractions be a problem. No matter where they are, students can focus on their schoolwork with the help of noise-cancelling headphones. Whether they are at home, in a library, or at a local coffee shop, students can listen to music that helps them study without interruption.
Work tote bag: If you know a student who is always on the go, a work tote can help them take their education with them, and with room to spare. Tote bags can carry a multitude of different essentials (though most UMGC students don’t have to worry about heavy textbooks thanks to digital resources for most courses) and keep them organized in their daily routine.
Inspirational Career Growth Gifts
LinkedIn Premium subscription: Students who are preparing for their career could enjoy a LinkedIn gift card, giving them access to services such as LinkedIn Premium and LinkedIn Learning. UMGC students can use this subscription to supplement their lifetime career services to help them advance their career goals.
School gear: Students who love to show their school pride would enjoy the gift of school apparel. While wearing it, they may even run into fellow students or alumni and make career connections in places they least expect it. For UMGC students and alumni, the University Store has a variety of items including T-shirts, outerwear, drinkware, bags, and more.
Consider their major: When thinking of a personalized gift for a student, consider their major and if you could get something related to their interests or passions. For example, you could give them a subscription to an online publication specific to their industry of interest. A computer science major may enjoy a new keyboard to assist with their coding skills. A history or English student might enjoy a hardcover book covering their favorite period. Students can enjoy these thoughtful gifts both in their courses and for years to come.
Health and Well-Being Gifts
Meal delivery subscription: After a busy day at work and then with school assignments, the last thing a student may want to worry about is what they’re having for dinner and how long will it take to make it. Meal kits can take the guesswork out of dinner with pre-portioned and partially prepared meals that can be ready quickly.
Spa or massage gift cards: Spas and massages are one of those luxurious gifts that many people do not give themselves but would love to have. This gift can help students unwind after a stressful semester, or something they can use whenever they need a little extra self-care.
Coffee or tea subscription box: For students who enjoy an energizing drink as they study and complete assignments, a coffee or tea subscription can be just the thing they need for their long nights. If they’re not coffee drinkers, alternatives to coffee could also be a great gift.
Travel Gifts
Travel gift card: Students may enjoy some time away to reset and refresh in a new setting. Gift cards for various airlines could be a great gift option for the jet-setting students in your life. If they are UMGC students, they may not even have to pause their classwork, since they can take their education anywhere through 100 percent online programs.
Luggage or carry-on: For the jet-setting student, they need a durable and spacious bag to pack their belongings, especially if they’re taking their education on the go. A suitcase or carry-on bag is both a thoughtful and useful gift for students to use for any upcoming trips for work or vacation.
Budget-friendly and DIY Gifts
Check in: Letting students know that you’re thinking about them can be a great reassurance, especially during this season. Sending a card, email, text, or calling them to see how they're doing can be both sentimental and motivational.
Create a “study survival kit”: A thoughtful and budget-friendly gift idea could be to gift students with small things that can help them reduce stress. A “study survival kit” could contain their favorite snack to enjoy on a study break, cozy socks, a scented candle, or anything else they may like to show how much you care.
The gift of support: Your time is as great of a gift, if not a greater gift, to students who appreciate physical support. You could offer to help them study for a test, cook them a meal while they complete an assignment, or babysit their children if they are a parent in need of focusing or a night out.
Reference on this webpage to any third-party entity or product does not constitute or imply endorsement by UMGC nor does it constitute or imply endorsement of UMGC by the third party.
/blog-umgc-time-management-tips-linklist-shutterstock-766847605.jpg)
/blog-student-stress-mental-health-linklist-shutterstock-1980861341.jpg)