Give Teens a Gift of College Success for the Holidays
Help your teen get some essentials before going to college.
This holiday season, families can help teens save money for college and learn the practical skills they will need there -- and in life. Parents may give gifts that will help their student be successful, whether when beginning college or on the journey to get there. Consider practical items that students can use while away at school or learning remotely, or experiences that will improve life skills. Here's a look at some of the talents, tools and technology that you can outfit your teen with before he or she heads off to college.
Encourage family and friends to give cash.
It's hard to beat cash as a gift. Cash can seem impersonal, but college is expensive and every dollar helps. Tuition and fees are notoriously expensive, and students will encounter numerous other costs: books, clothing, transportation, etc. Costs also add up before college with application fees up to around $100 at some schools. Encourage family members to make monetary donations to a college savings account. Parents can sign up for a savings registry and send out announcements to contributors when their teen reaches a college savings goal to help gift-givers feel more connected to the process.
Keep your teen safe with a first-aid kit.
A standard first-aid kit is a good item to have on hand to help treat cuts, scrapes and other minor injuries. First-aid kits with common items such as adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointments and other standards tend to be relatively cheap and easy to find, either online or in local stores. But in the age of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, it may make sense to splurge on a few additional items. Consider adding a thermometer to help your student monitor his or her temperature for COVID-19 symptoms, as well as hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to kill off those lingering germs.
Offer your teen cooking lessons.
Most freshmen on campus have meal plans, but with more students currently living off campus, cooking can be a great way to bond with other students and save money, experts say. Parents can discuss how to stock a pantry, save money on food and the differences between processed food and other varieties, as well as teach kids how to cook on a budget. Findings published in 2019 from a survey administered by The Hope Center at Temple University in Pennsylvania, which focuses on students' basic needs, show that 45% of students had experienced recent food insecurity. Knowing how to cook can keep costs down, ideally preventing students from experiencing hunger or packing on the fabled "freshman 15" pounds due to unhealthy choices. Virtual cooking lessons are also an option if in-person classes are restricted or unsafe to attend due to coronavirus pandemic concerns.
Help students learn how to budget.
The stereotype of the broke college student is a real experience for countless students across the U.S. Parents can help by hiring a financial advisor to go over budget basics. A 2019 survey by EVERFI and AIG Retirement Services found that many college students feel uncomfortable managing their money, credit card use was high and financial planning was minimal. Ditto for financial knowledge and education. A financial advisor or course -- virtual or in-person -- can help students understand how to manage money, ideally keeping student loans and post-graduation debt to a minimum.
Share the gift of credit.
Once you've locked down those money management tips, it may be time to sign your teen up for a credit card. Good credit will come in handy when it's time for students to buy their first car or rent an apartment. Parents who have discussed proper money management can co-sign a credit card to help teach teens about building credit scores and managing debt. The same study from EVERFI and AIG Retirement Services shows that credit card debt for college students generally has increased in recent years, so this is a gift that comes with a caveat: Make sure students understand how to manage their money before you sign them up.
Sign your teen up for self-defense classes.
Despite the efforts of colleges, safety can be an issue on campus. It can also be a major concern for students living off campus. Self-defense classes can give students a shot of confidence and knowledge of how to protect themselves or navigate dangerous situations. An abundance of self-defense classes are available to help you find the right fit for your student, with varying options on length and style. There are even online self-defense classes to consider. And don't forget to research campus crime statistics when discussing college options with your teen.
Give students the technology that they need.
Your student will likely have access to computer labs on campus -- though that may not be the case due to the coronavirus -- but there's a lot to be said for the convenience of being able to fire up a laptop from the comfort of his or her dorm room or home. Whether it's a last-minute discussion board post or a coffee-fueled all-night writing session, a laptop can give students control over when and where homework is done. A laptop is also one of the many items recommended by the College Board on its checklist for college-bound students. Families can pay for some qualified expenses, such as computers, out of a 529 plan.
Keep your student powered up.
Mobile phones can be considered digital Swiss Army knives, used for everything from Zooming into class to planning a student's social life and communicating with friends and family. For the student on the move, all that screen time may mean a recharge is necessary while on the go. That makes a portable phone charger a useful gift to keep your student connected -- and a fully charged phone means a dead battery is no excuse for screening your calls. Portable phone chargers can be found at various price points depending on functions, quality and how much juice your student needs to keep the phone's charge.
Gift a coffee maker to keep your student going.
College students love their coffee. According to the National Institutes of Health, 92% of college students consume caffeine, and coffee is their top choice. Your student is probably going to need that caffeine fix when he or she is cramming for a test or cranking out a paper. Many dorm rooms come with a microwave and minifridge, but a coffee maker may be just what your student needs. Whether you go single-serve or with an old-school coffee pot, remember to check campus housing rules before buying to ensure that any kitchen gadgets you provide are allowed in the dorms. A coffee maker may especially come in handy this year, allowing students to stay safe in their rooms rather than risking exposure to the coronavirus while on a caffeine run.
Hire your kid a tutor.
The traditional concept of working with a tutor over the kitchen table may not be ideal this year due to health concerns, so consider virtual tutoring options. It's not an exciting gift, but students who struggle academically in high school may have a more difficult time in college. A tutor may help your teen get on track. How well your student does in high school is a significant factor in college admissions decisions. Teens should know how to study properly before they head to college. Building strong study habits in high school can help students stay on track academically in college, which can help them graduate on time and keep overall college costs down.
Give your student a set of wheels.
If your student lives on campus, a bike can be a great way to get around. You can opt for something cheap and easily replaceable in case your student's trusty steed gets stolen, or even go for a folding bike that can be tucked safely away in a dorm room. It can also be a boon to students living off campus. Cycling can be a way to navigate cities, particularly those that are bike-friendly. But don't forget the helmet: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that there were nearly 467,000 bicycle-related injuries in the U.S. in 2015, per the latest data available, and more than 1,000 deaths.
Help your student capture memories.
Modern mobile phones already come equipped with cameras, and some can be impressive. But a mobile phone camera isn't always up to the task. If your student is the creative type, he or she may get more use out of experimenting with a better camera. Consider quality and cost before making this purchase, as well as how your student may use a camera. And if he or she just isn't interested in ditching a mobile phone camera for the real deal, no problem. There are plenty of options available for lenses that can be fitted to mobile phones, thus offering enhanced quality or unique shots such as wide angle or fisheye. A good camera can come in handy for capturing shots around campus or during that hoped-for study abroad trip.
Fund gift cards.
Gift cards are as useful as they are wide-ranging. Giving a branded gift card to a specific store or restaurant ensures that the money is being spent as intended. Gift cards also can be used as an alternative to credit cards and may keep your student from racking up more college debt. An open-ended prepaid gift card allows your student to decide how he or she spends the money, whether on books and supplies or booking that flight home for the next holiday.
Sign your teen up for a subscription box.
A subscription box is one way to let your student know that you are thinking of him or her regularly. Subscription box models, pricing and offerings vary greatly, with options such as food, coffee, clothing, jewelry, books and various other items. Consider what items might interest your student as well as the logistics of delivery, whether at home or on campus, before signing them up. Prices can vary depending on the duration of the subscription and what's offered, so consider your budget when choosing the best subscription box for your student, as well as how this gift can help your student succeed whether in or out of the classroom.
Help your student express school spirit.
Buying school merchandise can be a way to show pride in your student. Options are abundant because colleges brand just about everything these days, from traditional sweatshirts and ball caps to lip balm and hot sauce -- and, more recently, face coverings emblazoned with school logos. That means if you want to help students express their school spirit, there are plenty of ways to do so. If you aren't on campus, many colleges offer the opportunity to shop online at college bookstores.
Learn more about colleges.
Get more advice about how to choose a college, and check out the complete rankings of the Best Colleges to find the school that's best for you. For more tips on selecting a college, connect with U.S. News Education on Twitter and Facebook.
What to give your college-bound teen
-- Cash
-- An enhanced first-aid kit
-- Cooking lessons
-- Financial advising service
-- A credit card
-- Self-defense classes
-- A laptop
-- A portable phone charger
-- A coffee maker
-- A tutor or tutoring service
-- A bicycle
-- A camera or mobile lens
-- Gift cards
-- A subscription box
-- College-branded merchandise
