A University Student's Christmas Wishlist
Written by Payton McPhee
Thumbnail and Header Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
Christmas is a time to unwind and relax from the stressors of everyday life, and this is especially true for students. Christmas break offers students an escape from deadlines, assignments, and exams, which is always something to look forward to. Additionally, Christmas is the perfect time to give and receive gifts that will help you when classes resume in January. This list offers some ideas for gifts that you can give to a student in your life, or gifts that you can add to your own Christmas wishlist as a student. Due to COVID-19 and the increase in online shopping that has occurred from the pandemic, there are bound to be delays in shipping and delivery times when ordering Christmas gifts. As a result, this article also acts as a reminder to get your shopping done earlier rather than later.
Rocketbook Wave Smart Notebook ($20 - $65) - In a world where sustainability and reducing waste is becoming commonplace, it might feel increasingly wasteful for manual notetakers to copy their notes on paper only to throw out the notebook after the end of the semester. Fortunately, the Rocketbook Wave Smart Notebook has a solution to this ongoing struggle that students often have. This notebook allows students to download their handwritten notes to their computer and save it anywhere they would like. To do this, the Rocketbook comes with a special pen and an app that can be used with the notebook. When finished writing in the notebook, students can go on the app and indicate where on your computer to send the note. After this, you can put the notebook in the microwave and the writing will be erased. This is a perfect gift for those who like to handwrite but don’t enjoy how wasteful it can be.
Photo by scanmarker. Scanmarker Air.
Scanmarker Air ($160) - This is another tool that is so useful for students it almost feels like cheating. The Scanmarker Air is a digital highlighter and reading pen that allows students to finish their work quicker and more effectively. This device acts as a scanner, highlighting text in books, textbooks, or assignments and transferring it immediately to a phone or laptop without having to retype it. The Scanmarker Air is multilingual and has been shown to be an effective way for students with learning disabilities to learn and understand the material that is being taught.
Adjustable Laptop Stand ($20 - $130) - As university students, we spend far too much time sitting at a desk. Many students suffer from back pain and discomfort while studying from hunching over our laptop. We do this because our desk is lower than our upper body, so we strain our bodies in a harmful way. A laptop stand directly combats these posture issues and painful experiences that often occur while studying. A laptop stand makes your laptop sit at eye level so that students can comfortably sit up straight and minimize their discomfort. Additionally, a keyboard and a mouse are often purchased in conjunction with a laptop stand so that students can type while their laptop is elevated. One great option for a laptop stand can be found here.
Noise Cancelling Headphones ($70 - $280) - Is there anything more irritating than a noisy person at the library, or loud roommates who won’t turn their speaker down? Noise cancelling headphones are a fantastic way to handle these situations by helping you to stay concentrated and mitigate nearby distractions. These headphones are great for studying, giving online presentations, and keeping focus when need be. Although the cost of a good pair of noise cancelling headphones can be high, they are worth every penny if you are easily distractible. On the pricer end, Apple’s AirPods Pro do a fantastic job at cancelling any background noise. However, less expensive options are also available through companies like Beats by Dre, Sony, and Amazon.
Printer ($50 - $160) - As a university student, there are times when you need to print a document, an assignment, or a paper. However, many students do not have a printer in their residence room or their apartment. Because of this, students often have to travel to campus to print their materials, which comes at a price. Owning a printer makes school a lot easier and less stressful, and there are some great printers that can be bought at a low cost. This is a functional gift that almost any university student would be thankful to receive. The HP DeskJet is a perfect printer for university students as it is relatively inexpensive and has all the necessary functions that students require.
Laptop Bed Table ($20 - $350) - As mentioned before, sitting at a desk all day is uncomfortable and can even be painful. Sometimes, all you want to do is crawl into bed and work on your upcoming assignment while surrounded by comfortable pillows. Well, with a laptop bed table, you can! These tables allow students to have a flat surface on their bed where they can get their work done. Bed tables also vary in size; some are small, portable, and rest over the lap, whereas others are as wide as the bed and provide more stability and space for working. A great example of a small laptop bed table can be found here, and a larger one can be found here.
Photo by Philips. Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light
Sunrise Alarm Clock ($45 - $150) - In my opinion, there is no better feeling than waking up from the sun rather than a noisy and annoying alarm clock. In fact, studies have shown that there are many health and wellness benefits to waking up with the sun, so why not do this every day? With a sunrise alarm clock, you can do this without having to wake up at the crack of dawn! This clock wakes you up by emitting light that mimics the rise of the natural sun in your bedroom along with calming music to help start your day. This is a perfect gift for those who despise their alarm clock and have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. If you’re considering buying one for a gift, Philips and Homelabs make two great versions of the sunrise alarm clock.
Christmas is the time for giving, and for university students, there are so many gifts that would be beneficial to their university career. Whether it’s helpful for taking notes, waking up, or staying comfortable, there is a gift for every university student that would help make their days easier. Additionally, there are some people who are very difficult to buy for, so hopefully this article provides you with a few unique ideas for Christmas presents. And remember, buy your gifts early this year!