This post will show you the best gifts and care packages to give a student during finals.
I hate to break it to you, but college finals aren’t as far away as you might think!
And as we all know, finals week can be rough. It often entails pulling all-nighters, poor nutrition, and a whole lot of stress.
That’s why it’s the perfect time to show a college student some love by sending them a gift or a care package! Show them you’re thinking of them and supporting them during this stressful time with a thoughtful treat to boost their mood or help them study more effectively.
Whether you want to send a gift to a student or you’d like to treat yourself during finals, read on for the best finals gifts and care package ideas.
Related reading: 41 Gifts for College Students That They’ll Actually Love
Table of Contents
Best College Gifts for Students:
These finals gift ideas are perfect to send to a college student during exams, either individually or combined to create your own personalized “care package.”
Insulated Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is always important, but especially during finals week, when healthy habits often get abandoned. With all of the intense studying, college students often forget to drink enough water, so a refillable water bottle is a must!
This one is super cute and features double-walled insulation to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours. It’s made of natural bamboo, stainless steel, and BPA-free plastic, and is available in an assortment of fun colors. Plus, it comes with a removable infuser to brew tea or add flavoring to water.
Lap Desk
A lap desk is an ultra-useful gift for a college student, since it’s inevitable that some of the studying and homework is going to take place in bed. A lap desk will help create a more comfortable and productive work environment to prop a laptop or notebook on, with a wood-inspired surface and cushioned filling underneath.
This lap desk also features a handy phone slot and a ledge at the bottom so that electronic devices will not slide off.
Related reading: 60 Motivational Quotes to Get You Though Finals Week
Weighted Neck Wrap
Endless hours of finals prep may lead to a sore or cramped neck and shoulders, so a neck wrap is a great way for a college student to help relieve muscle tension. This neck wrap is weighted for just the right amount of pressure, and can also be put in the freezer for a cooling effect.
White Noise Machine
Help your college student (or yourself) get a good night’s sleep with a white noise machine.
This device creates a soothing environment for sleep with 10 pretty colors and 25 sound options to promote relaxation and deep, sound sleep – something that’s hard to come by during finals week!
Satin Eye Mask
Speaking of precious sleep, an eye mask is another must-have. This padded, satin eye mask is going to block out light, which especially comes in handy when living with a roommate who is on a different finals schedule.
The satin fabric gives it a luxe feel; plus, it’s more gentle on skin, eyelashes, and eyebrows. It also comes with a matching scrunchie to keep her hair looking great while she sleeps — it makes it even easier to get ready in the morning for finals!
Computer Monitor Memo Board
This clear computer monitor memo board is as aesthetic as it is useful. It comes with a built-in phone holder and latches onto a computer monitor so that notes and memos can be displayed conveniently in plain sight. No more forgetting deadlines or important page numbers with this handy item!
The Comfy Wearable Blanket
College students will love the comfort of a wearable blanket while studying for exams.
This cozy piece has a microfiber exterior and a plush sherpa interior, making it super soft and warm. It features an oversized hood and front pocket for extra cozy vibes and is machine washable.
Computer Camera Ring Light
With so many classes and meetings still happening over Zoom, a computer camera ring light is a modern-day must-have.
This illuminating, dimmable light will increase the quality of videos and photos, which in turn can be a total confidence booster when it comes to facing teachers and peers over a screen.
Stress Toy
This adorable stress toy will make a college student laugh while also helping to relieve some stress. Give the “Calma Llama” a squeeze as a way to deal with anxiety during long hours of studying, and bring on the calm. The happy packaging is sure to put a smile on their face, too.
Portable Power Bank
A portable power bank is a gift that will come in clutch during finals week at college. Perfect for throwing in their backpack and taking on the go, this conveniently-sized power bank can charge a phone, e-reader, or tablet battery without a wall outlet.
Coffee Maker
If they don’t already have one, a college student will totally appreciate a coffee maker to conveniently brew coffee right in their dorm room or college apartment.
This Keurig K-Mini Plus Single Serve Coffee Maker features a compact design that is ideal for small spaces, and can brew coffee, tea, hot cocoa and iced beverages. It even includes a pod storage container which fits 9 pods, and comes in six different colors.
Consider sending some coffee pods along with the machine to get them going!
Foot Heater
Dorm rooms can get really chilly in the winter (trust me, I know from experience). Help your college student keep her feet warm while at her desk with this foot heater.
It’s portable, lightweight, and the ideal size to stash under a desk; plus, it automatically shuts off after 8 hours. It will make studying at a desk during finals week more enjoyable!
Charging Hub
This charging hub is a must-have desk accessory that props up a phone, AirPods, and a smartwatch while they charge. The all-in-one hub is compact and features spaces to feed cables through in a sleek, organized way. No more misplacing tech, which is crucial when running out the door to a finals exam!
Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Cold brew lovers will appreciate being able to steep their own cold brew coffee right from their dorm room with this iced coffee maker, especially when they don’t have time to get to Starbucks.
It fits in most refrigerators and uses coffee grounds for manual coffee brewing which can then be served directly from this carafe. It also comes with a flavor mixer to customize the taste.
Blue Light Glasses
Let’s face it: we all spend way too much time on our phones and computers. One of the biggest problems with this is that all the blue light they emit can actually make it harder for us to fall asleep at night.
These blue light glasses will help protect your student’s eyes from all the glare they’re exposed to during finals, and may even help them sleep better to retain all of that information!
Top and Joggers Co-Ord Set
When studying and taking exams, you want to be comfortable. At the same time, dressing sloppily can have a negative effect on performance. That’s why a coordinated sweat set is a perfect compromise between being comfy and looking put-together.
No extra brain power is required to throw on this cropped sweatshirt and matching joggers set when heading to a study sesh or an exam, making it a great gift for finals week.
Best Care Package Ideas
Care packages take the guesswork out of gift-giving by combining multiple useful items in one thoughtful package that any college student will be excited to receive.
See related: The 10 Best Care Package Ideas for Family and Friends
“Finals Succ” Gift Box
Lighten the mood with a fun “finals succ” gift box, featuring a fresh succulent plant. This gift box is sure to put a smile on your recipient’s face with a succulent-themed card and mug, along with four chocolate chip cookies – plus, confetti!
“Hustle” Gift Box
Inspire her to “hustle” during finals with this gift box. It includes a journal, a to-do notepad, a coffee mug, tech wipes, and a gold pen. These desktop essentials are all cute and functional, and sure to be appreciated during finals week.
“Brain Boost” Care Package
Sometimes it can be difficult making it to the dining hall during finals week, so a care package filled with healthy snacks is an amazing way to support an exam-taking college student.
This care package contains a wide assortment of snacks along with an “Emergency Chocolate” bar (lol), a stress ball, highlighter, pen, hand sanitizing wipes, and more.
Layer Cake from SusieCakes
Not exactly a care package, but this is honestly even better! What college student wouldn’t want to receive a celebration cake as a surprise during finals?
SusieCakes ships amazingly delicious layer cakes across the country. They come beautifully packaged and super fresh thanks to dry ice.
Whether your student has a sweet tooth or you just want to treat them and their roommates to something special, this is an amazing gift idea!
College Care Package
Give a taste of home with this comforting care package featuring soup (flavor of your choice), bacci rolls, and cookies. They’ll be able to get a break from the dining hall food by heating up this hearty soup in their microwave and enjoying home-cooked flavors.
“Everyday Joy” Care Package
A joy-filled care package is just what a stressed-out college student needs during finals.
This sweet gift contains all the fixings for the perfect cup of tea, with loose-leaf green tea, a cute mug, and honey sticks. It also comes with a matching candle and a miniature box of inspirational quotes that they can pop open for a dose of positivity.
What do you think of our finals gift guide?
Would you like to receive or give these gifts? Which gift or care package idea is your favorite? Leave a comment and let us know!