Gift for a college student?

[ffutures]

My nephew starts college in a week or so, and I'd like to give him a suitable gift, preferably something reasonably practical. He's got a bike, a laptop, etc., but there must be other things that would be handy, and preferably not hugely expensive. He's studying design and engineering, don't know if that suggests anything.

Any thoughts?

Comments

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

A good lock for his bike?

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Already got, I think.

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

A large bore shotgun?

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Possibly not.

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

He's not going to good ol' Miskatonic U then.

[jinxed-wood.livejournal.com]

Some shiny new CAD software? It might be handy for a design and engineering student. Other than that - kettle/toaster/supermarket vouchers? How well do they supply student digs, nowadays, or is he off campus?

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

I'd imagine he can get the software a lot cheaper than I can through college, and it'll be the right programs for his course. Supermarket vouchers had occurred to me, but not really an incredibly exciting present, might just as well give him money. Not sure about his living arrangements, will have to check.

[elementalv.livejournal.com]

Gift certificates for a local movie house. Money will likely be tight for him, so any kind of entertainment budget will be equally tight. If he doesn't like movies, then something for a local music or book shop may work.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Book tokens are certainly a possibility - don't need to be for a specific shop in the UK, there's a scheme that most book shops belong to. Not sure he watches many movies in the cinema, he's more of a DVD / download sort of person.

A LOUD alarm clock might be a possibility...

[xxmagex.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm, perhaps (depending on the rules of the college) a microwave or a small refrigerator. I would lean more towards the refrigerator, I know when I attended college (more years ago than I am going to admit) I lucked out in that my dad's office had a small refrigerator that they weren't using and I was able to grab. Worked out very while for the few years I had it.

Also, for the trips too long to use the bike for, maybe a mass transit pass?

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

I'll check on living arrangements, the microwave is a possibility.

[paratti.livejournal.com]

A kettle?

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Another possibility.

[fjm.livejournal.com]

In order (and speaking as a lecturer):

Some kind of back up for his computer (anything from a large USB stick to a hard drive).

A printer and five reams of paper (they come in five reams per box).

Offer to pay for his student travel card.

If he is on a pay as you go phone, minutes for his mobile.


A small fridge (see above).

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

All good ideas - I need to talk to my sister again, see what she can tell me about the arrangements.

[robertprior.livejournal.com]

Backup drive for the laptop could be very handy. It sucks to lose all your term work when your hard drive pooches just before projects are due…

[robertprior.livejournal.com]

Another possibility is a headset for his laptop, so he can use VOIP to chat to friends rather than paying long distance. (Only useful if he has high-speed internet, of course.)

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

That's a possibility, though I've never encountered a college network that had the bandwidth.

[heliograph.livejournal.com]

http://www.tecaeromex.com/ingles/RB-i.htm

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Suuuuure.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

A student cookbook? Even the lads need to cook sometimes. A kettle for his room? Or a mini coffee maker if he's a coffee drinker. Memory stick of enormous capacity on a keyring for taking info between library and room. Printer if he hasn't got one - relying on the college ones can cost money.

All the above were much appreciated by D-d - whereas a TV with built in DVD slot, from her aunt, wasn't as she watched DVDs on her laptop, and hardly any TV - but if he is into watching the football or whatever then a small TV might well be appreciated.

[were-gopher.livejournal.com]

Seconded on the cookbook. This is the one that got me through until I'd started working out my own recipies (mostly based on what was reduced for quick sale at the local chinese supermarket).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Student-Grub-Jan-Arkless/dp/1899606149/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252873591&sr=8-1

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[sirernest.livejournal.com]

A Dremel (or a reasonable copy). Infinitely useful in design AND engineering (and everywhere else of course).

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Not sure it's the most useful thing for a new student though.

[doctor-toc.livejournal.com]

Condoms and a bedside beer fridge.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

I really don't want my sister to kill me, thanks...

[doctor-toc.livejournal.com]

Right, right. I've always been a bit fuzzy on the concept of "appropriate". This is why Tara would never let me buy presents for my nieces.