The Best College Graduation Gift Ideas, According to Real College Students

For many grads, graduation also comes with saying goodbye to college roommates and shared apartments. That means divying up appliances. Make leaving without the unit's emotional support air fryer sting a little less by giving them one of their own. This dual-basket air fryer from Ninja lets them cook two different dishes at once, so it's sure to be an upgrade.

When talking to soon-to-be grads about what they wanted most as they entered post-grad gifts, one of the most popular asks was for travel essentials. Grads are ready to get out and explore all the world around them has to offer. The LOC8 holds all their important documents while they're on the go and is equipped with location tracking so their essentials will never get lost.

Though leaving college comes with missing great memories, post-grad life comes with making lots of new ones. Vintage-style cameras are having a moment right now, and this instant one will let your grad document all their new adventures. The wide-format prints are perfect for decorating an apartment wall with real memories. It's definitely on my wish list.

Entering the "adult world" is jolting as is, so the last thing your grad needs is to wake up to a blaring alarm. Our advice? Surprise them with a Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock. This ingenious device actually simulates the morning sun for a more natural, refreshing waking process. It also functions as a reading light and ambient sound machine at night.

Coffee shop runs get expensive fast. The Nespresso Pop+ is the perfect gift because it combines practicality and sophistication with a touch of fun. The Pop+ comes in 12 candy-colored finishes, and it looks great on a countertop. Its compact size means it fits even in tiny apartments or shared kitchens. Add a few sleeves of pods and you've got a gift that'll help them save money and make post-grad mornings a little brighter.

Like most of my friends, college has put my tote bag through a lot. This structured canvas bag from July is truly the perfect everyday tote. It fits all the essentials: laptop, water bottle, lunch and notebooks, and it does it in style. It can go anywhere without looking out of place. I promise your student will appreciate you giving their tote bag a well-deserved graduation, too.

Consider this the gift that keeps on giving. Encourage your loved one to develop a daily gratitude practice now by handing them The Five Minute Journal. Inside, they'll find guided prompts to fill out in the morning and at night, plus weekly challenges for noticing the good all around them.

Help them say goodbye to the dining hall by giving them a starter cookware set that's all their own. Gift your college grad this bestselling pan and pot duo, which does the job of 20 pieces of traditional cookware in one. They can use the Always Pan 2.0 to steam, sear, sauté and even serve themselves dinner. The nonstick ceramic coating ensures minimal cleanup, too. And if you want to take this gift to the next level, combine it with a brand-new cookbook and/or dinnerware set to replace that plastic one they've been using for the last four years.

If they travel to work by subway or train, then improve their daily commute with a Kindle Paperwhite. This compact e-reader will slip right into their shoulder bag and give them access to thousands of titles while they ride to and from the city. Best of all? The seven-inch flush-front display features an adjustable warm light, so they can read it first thing in the morning or late at night.

This bento-style lunch box will help your college grad save money on dining out and pack their meals smarter. The reusable container consists of three pieces (two lidded compartments and a set of utensils) secured by a fabric strap. It's also conveniently microwave- and dishwasher-safe.

If your grad is planning a post-grad trip (or just traveling back and forth a lot), this is a seriously thoughtful upgrade. This luggage makes unpacking a breeze, by converting into a mini closet they can use at their destination. It's sleek, unique and practical, everything a grad is hoping for in a gift.

Long day of meetings ahead? Let your grad enjoy their favorite beverage piping hot (or at whatever temperature they prefer) with the Ember Smart Mug 2. This high-tech container will allow them to see and control their drink temperature for up to 80 minutes. No more cold cups of coffee!

For the college grad who's sentimental, we highly recommend this Custom Campus Portrait. The custom-drawn portrait can highlight a special spot on campus, a beloved building where they spent hours studying or any other view. You can choose to have the print framed, and a dedicated designer will provide unlimited proofs before printing.

Help your grad enter the professional world equipped to handle the money stuff that gets serious real fast after graduation. This finance planner makes it a little easier to stay on top of budgeting, saving and spending without feeling overwhelmed. It’s thoughtful, helpful and much prettier than a spreadsheet.

Never underestimate the power of hotel-style bedding. Ensure that your college grad gets a good night's sleep with a luxurious bedding set that they'd never buy for themselves. This buttery-soft and breathable cotton percale bundle is a far cry from the twin XL sheets of their dorm days and includes a comforter, a duvet cover, four pillowcases, two pillows and a free Silk Eyemask.

Help keep their work clothes pressed and professional with a handheld fabric steamer — no ironing board required! This gadget is a dream come true for busy college grads, as it essentially cuts ironing time in half. Plus, the 12-foot power cord allows for easy maneuvering, while a 30-second heat-up time and a high-powered steam output ensure wrinkles are gone in seconds.

What better way to toast your grad than with a bar cart? Stylish and functional, this brass-finished bar cart is a grown-up essential for new apartments. Use it to store spirits, display glassware or even double it as a rolling bookshelf. Pair it with some cocktail mixers or a cocktail recipe book to make them feel like a real adult.

If smoothies are their drink of choice, then they need a blender that can keep up with their busy schedule. Enter the unrivaled Nutribullet Pro 900 Series Blender. The powerful stainless steel blades were designed with all kinds of whole foods in mind and can easily handle nuts, seeds, fruit, ice cubes, etc. The Nutribullet Pro also comes with a to-go lid, so they sip as they please.

Give their new grown-up home a high-tech makeover with a smart home device, like this Amazon Echo Dot Smart Speaker, that will answer questions, provide news and traffic updates, play music, manage everyday tasks, act as an alarm clock and more.

For those brief moments when the excitement fades and they desperately miss their college town, try suggest a Homesick Premium Scented Candle. Each one is hand-poured into a glass jar and features distinctive notes that will remind them of their home away from home. And if you really want to go above and beyond? Pair the candle with a stylish new warmer lamp, match cloche or wick trimmer.

Nothing will help relieve the stress from a busy day quite like a weighted blanket. Made from an ultra-breathable, moisture-wicking material called lyocell, this Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket will replicate the serotonin-inducing feeling of a hug without the heat. It's available in six trendy hues and three sizes.

New home? No problem. Help them keep it clean with a hard-working robot vacuum, like this iRobot Roomba 675. Using an app on their phone, they can schedule cleanings throughout the day and even alert the robot vacuum to high-traffic areas that need a little more TLC. It runs for up to 90 minutes before docking and recharging.