Best Gifts for College Students

College students can be really tricky to buy for. They're away from home, so they don't always have much space, but they still want the comforts of home. It's a stressful time, especially if they're far away from home. There were some key items that helped me and my friends make it through school.

If you're shopping for a college student, here are some great gift ideas to reduce their stress level and help them make it through the semester. Some are useful and practical while others are fun or even a little silly. Whichever you're looking for, you'll find something here.

Image by Blair Snow used under Creative Commons Licence

Whether you're living in a dorm, house, or apartment, there's certain kitchen items that always come in handy for college students. I know these were life savers for me when I was in school. The mini bar fridge is especially fantastic. If you're in a dorm, a fridge lets you keep a few items in your room for when the dining hall is closed or you just don't feel like making the trip. It's also great for an apartment or house if you have roommates: one fridge just never seems to be enough space. If you're looking for a practical and great gift for a college student, try one of these kitchen items.

It's your turn to cook and you have no time and no idea what to make. You're busy studying and making dinner is the last thing you want to bother doing, but your roommate made dinner last night, so you have no choice.

Does this sound familiar? Either you've been there yourself or you know a college student who has. If you're in a dorm, cooking usually isn't an issue, but as soon as you move out, it becomes a necessary survival skill.

A lot of college students think they can get away with ordering pizza or living off cereal and Kraft Dinner, but these options don't work long term. Take out costs too much money and I know from experience that if you don't get enough nutrition, you'll just spend the year battling a constant cold.

These cookbooks are full of tons of easy, fast recipes for college students who don't want to cook or don't know how cook. They make a great gift for the starving college student.

So many college assignments are done on the computer that they have become a necessity. Chances are, the college student you're shopping for already has a computer, but its important that its speedy and up to date. There's nothing worse than losing an assignment if your computer crashes, and it's frustrating trying to do research on a computer when it takes forever for the pages to load. An up to date, fast laptop is a perfect present for any college student.

TV is a must entertainment for college and university students. Sometimes there is a communal TV or a roommate or floor mate has one, but it's always nice to have your own. If you're shopping for a college student and they don't have a TV yet, it would make a perfect Christmas gift.

Everyone knows laughter is the best medicine. Laughter stimulates the brain and releases endorphins, making us happy. Of course, laughter doesn't solve problems, but comedy movies are a great idea for college students looking for a break. Settle in on a Friday night, order pizza, make popcorn, and watch your favorite comedies. Movies are also a great way to socialize and relax without breaking a tight college budget.

My personal favorite here is The Big Bang Theory collection. It's one of my favorite shows and owning the series ensures endless laughter. It's a great gift for college students (as long as they don't spend all their time watching it...).

Let's face it--college is stressful. Between classes, assignments, exams, and socializing, there's always something going on. Everyone has a different way of dealing with stress, but one classic favorite is the stress ball. They're small and transportable and great for squishing, squashing, or throwing against a wall. If you know a college student who needs a bit of help releasing that extra stress, try some stress balls for a Christmas gift.

Since so many college students are stressed, here's a few ideas of how to relax.

1. Mediate: Try either mediation or yoga. They're both great for detoxing and just coming back to yourself.
2. Exercise: Whether it's going to the gym or just for a walk around the block, moving can help calm your mind and body.
3. Study with a friend: Sometimes company through studying can keep us calm and help us remember that we're not alone.
4. Laugh: Laughing releases endorphins and reduces stress. Find a friend and share some funny stories. Or, you can watch your favorite sitcom for funny movie as a good study break or end of the night relaxer. If you're crunched for time, spend 5 minutes to find some funny jokes online, then get back to work.