5 essential tech gifts for graduates, according to students and professors

Classroom technology is constantly evolving, which can make it challenging to know what devices an incoming college student may need as they transition to campus life. To help sort it out, this guide to tech gifts for grads is based on input from college professors and students alike. Here are the five tech items they consider essential, with insights about how they’re used both in and outside of the classroom.

1. An updated smartphone

Smartphones have become essential for staying on top of coursework. This is especially true as more universities adopt mobile-friendly learning management systems that allow students to receive grades and classwide updates, check assignment deadlines, and contribute to discussion boards using a mobile device or a hot spot connection to power their research.Beyond academics, smartphones also now play a crucial role in a variety of on-campus events and top the list of gifts for graduates.

What professors say:

“At career fairs, students need to scan QR codes in order to access employer websites and event registration information,” says Dr. Ray Pastore, professor of Instructional Technology and Director of Esports at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (and a paid writer for this Web site). “I run my university’s Esports club, which has its own Discord community as a way for students to stay engaged … and all that discussion happens on a student’s mobile device.”

2. On-the-go charging to expand their options

The transition to campus life comes with plenty of challenges, but scrambling to charge a laptop or tablet shouldn’t be one of them. With a portable charger, students can keep their devices running, whether they’re taking notes in the lecture hall or writing a paper outside on the quad. And a portable battery booster means they can charge their device even if they can’t find a wall outlet.

What students say:

“Portable chargers allow students to study anywhere, rather than being tied to a specific location or places with wall sockets,” says Mercer Brady, a history major.

3. A smartwatch to help them stay organized

A smartwatch can let you know when it’s time to head to class or other activities, which is especially useful when students don’t have their phones nearby.

What professors say:

“Having a smartwatch is nice for all the situations where students don’t—or shouldn’t—have their phones,” Pastore says. “Some professors dislike it when students bring a phone to class, but with a smartwatch they can quickly look down at an incoming text and determine if they need to respond or know if there’s an emergency.”

4. Headphones to boost their focus

From listening to focus-boosting music to blowing off steam at the campus gym, a quality pair of headphones can help set new students up for success in all their activities. Wireless earbuds offer a great way for students to listen to podcasts and other course materials on the go, while a wired pair of noise-canceling headphones makes an excellent gift for graduates who plan to live in university residence halls.

What students say:

“Noise-canceling headphones are a must. Being able to focus only on whatever I’m listening to is helpful for staying on task, whether it’s studying, cleaning or working out,” says Jillian Newmyer, radiation health physics graduate student, class of 2025.

What professors say:

“Especially for gamers living in the dorms, noise-canceling headphones should perform two different functions: They should cancel out background noise while also making sure your noise doesn’t bother anyone else,” Pastore says.

5. A tablet to make note-taking easier

Laptops remain a necessity for many students, such as those who are studying engineering, computer science or multimedia development. But when it comes to bringing a device from class to class, tablets offer a convenient and highly portable alternative. More students are showing up to class with tablets and note-taking accessories, such as a keyboard or Bluetooth pen.

What students say:

“[My tablet] made taking notes in class extremely easy! I was able to use a Bluetooth pen to annotate slides during lectures … and taking hand-written notes is proven to be effective at increasing understanding of a subject,” says Grace Mayer, nursing major.

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