Shopping for a Ph.D. student can be challenging. In pursuing a graduate degree, they deal with a ton of pressure to do well academically and meet the demands of the program. All these things take a toll on their emotional and mental health, causing them fear and anxiety.
Ph.D. students are extremely busy with their classes and extracurricular activities, and rarely do they get the chance to shop leisurely. They do not have the luxury of time to go on a shopping spree and get the things they need. In fact, in the process of completing dissertations, graduate students’ outside interests usually take a back seat.
Interesting read: 5 Common Fears of Ph.D. Students and How To Overcome Them
Are you surprising a friend or snagging something special for a family member who’s pursuing graduate studies?
Presents can make anyone happy, but if you’re getting a Ph.D. student a gift to celebrate their birthday, share their victories, or remember them on special occasions, make sure you give them items that they can appreciate and use!
Get them something that gives them comfort or makes their life easier in some way and promotes their health and overall well-being.
Check out our highly recommended gifts! Navigate your options easily using these page jumps:
Think Ink Pen
Ameteer Wireless Finger Ring Presenter Remote
Lenovo Yoga Book
Epson Workforce WF-110
AboveTEK Portable Laptop Lap Desk
Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen
Omni 20 USB-C Portable Charger
GOOVI Robot Vacuum
iHome Zenergy (Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock)
BEAUTURAL Steamer
HoMedics® Shiatsu AirMax Heated Foot Massager
Shine App
Wool Runners (Men/Women)
ECO Lunchbox
Weston Laptop Bag
Brewsense Drip Coffee Maker
Hydro Flask Bottle
YnM Weighted Blanket
NutriBullet Pro 13-Piece Set
Stitch Fix Service
Think Ink Pen
Fidget toys, sometimes called fidgeters, provide the right stimulation that helps Ph.D. candidates cope with stress and anxiety.
The Think Ink Pen is a perfect gift to get them to refocus whenever they feel restless. This discreet toy gets distractions off their minds and relieves their nervous or uneasy feeling.
This fidget pen is made from titanium and steel with a spring, magnetic clip, and a spinnable sphere. The options are endless, and they can take this anywhere, just like a regular pen.
Ameteer Wireless Finger Ring Presenter Remote
Graduate schools require Ph.D. students to create PowerPoint or Google Slide presentations regularly. Gone are the days when presenters stay glued beside the screen to guide the audience through each slideshow.
The Ameteer Wireless Finger Ring Presenter Remote is a presentation clicker that features an adjustable ring that presenters can wear. It is slip-resistant and helps presenters avoid distractions or accidents in the middle of the presentation. Its laser function, plug-and-play receiver, and five buttons give presenters comfort and easy access.
Lenovo Yoga Book
One of the best and practical gifts that you can give a Ph.D. student is the Lenovo Yoga Book. This device helps students digitize notes, type, copy, and even draw directly on the screen.
Quick notetaking is possible through the Lenovo NoteSaver application. You can take notes (physically) and see all your scribblings appear on the screen immediately. Ph.D. students won’t have to lose track of taking essential notes for comprehensive exams, publications, and dissertations.
Epson Workforce WF-110
A printer can make or break a Ph.D. student’s deadline, and that is why giving them a portable printer will surely make a massive difference in their graduate school life.
Ph.D. students can count on the Epson Workforce WF-110 when the campus printer is not available. It features flexible battery charging for printing of reports and coursework materials on-the-go. They enjoy its wireless connectivity,
Plus Wi-Fi Direct, automatic 2-side print, an external accessory battery, and automatic off function helps save battery. When it’s not possible to print from a laptop, students can connect their smartphones or other mobile devices. Prints come out crisp and clean with its quick-drying ink technology. It’s 12 inches long and weighs 3.5lbs so students can pop this printer into their bags when not in use.
AboveTEK Portable Laptop Lap Desk
Ph.D. students would love to get something that can make studying easier, whether they are on campus, at the office, or home. It’s only right for them to use their laptops on a comfortable lap desk since the weight and heat from keeping laptops in their lap can cause a nuisance.
AboveTEK Portable Laptop Lap Desk is an excellent gift for Ph.D. students to take anywhere. Its retractable mouse pad tray makes the desk stand out among the rest. Its laptop pad is made of durable textured rubbered surface and helps keep their laptops cool, thus, saving fan power. With its ergonomic design, students will appreciate it while they work long hours on their term papers with endless corrections.
Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen
Ph.D. students’ lives are built on pens and paper, so giving a fountain pen as a gift would be a great idea. Fountain pens make a statement and are a perfect writing tool for them.
The Metropolitan Fountain Pen is ideal not just for beginners, but for everyone. It has an ink-control system, so they won’t have to worry about creating smooth and perfect lines. The pen comes with a starter cartridge, so there is no need to look for ink when you buy this.
Omni 20 USB-C Portable Charger
Graduate school is hard, it gets even harder when a laptop battery drains out, and outlets are too far to reach. Bestowing your Ph.D. student with an Omni 20 USB-C Portable Charger will be helpful to them, especially in vital times.
This powerhouse features a capacity that can charge multiple devices simultaneously. It also lets them charge their smartphones wirelessly with an output of up to 10W. What’s even more impressive is that this charger serves as a USB hub for data transfer. It’s guaranteed to charge laptops at top speeds fully and is easy to carry in laptop bags or even backpacks.
GOOVI Robot Vacuum
If your Ph.D. student prefers to spend their free time hanging out with family and friends or going out for late-night study sessions, then it’s likely that they wouldn’t have much time to clean their rooms. Good thing, you can give them the GOOVI Robot Vacuum.
This budget-friendly, powerful vacuum can gracefully pick up dirt, crumbs, and dust on hard floors and over carpets. Its 2.83-inch design allows for cleaning hidden trash under sofas or beds. They can preset vacuum time so cleanup can be done while they are busy.
iHome Zenergy (Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock)
An iHome Zenergy is an excellent gift for those that have trouble waking up in the morning, and those who think having their smartphone’s alarm clock is not enough. With a wake-up light alarm clock, Ph.D. students can start their day pleasantly and peacefully.
The iHome Zenergy has a color therapy to promote sleep at night and a sunrise light feature that goes from dim to bright yellow as they wake up. Its alarm comes with 16 environmental and white sound recordings to help them relax as they go to sleep or wake up. No more being jolted by loud noises from conventional alarm clocks.
BEAUTURAL Steamer
Your Ph.D. students may not have enough time to iron their clothes or tidily fold their laundry. So, a perfect gift to keep them from wearing wrinkled clothes is the BEAUTURAL Steamer. This steamer is best rated not only for its price but also for its performance. It is compact so as not to take up too much space and is powerful for its small size.
This handheld steamer holds enough water and heats it in as little as 30 seconds. It can handle all types of fabrics and provides 15 minutes of continuous steaming. Getting wrinkles out of clothes gets easier with the BEUTURAL Steamer
HoMedics® Shiatsu AirMax Heated Foot Massager
Sometimes, hardworking Ph.D. students get their feet swollen up from a long day of standing or walking around from the workplace to the campus. They want to relax and do a little pampering for themselves without having to leave the house.
So, consider a HoMedics® Shiatsu AirMax Heated Foot Massager as a gift. This massager is built with two-foot pockets and rolling nodes that massages soles and arches. It also uses gentle hot air to warm up their feet and ease tension. Your Ph.D. student will thank you for a professional-quality massage at home.
Shine App
Ph.D. student life means dealing with a lot of stress and unexpected burdens before accomplishing deadlines. A great tool to keep students thriving is a motivational app called Shine.
This app is designed to help people find their motivation and positive mindset needed to succeed. It also helps build skills for a self-care program. Motivational audio tracks are also included to help decrease depression and anxiety. The annual subscription costs $53.99.
Wool Runners (Men/Women)
Everyone needs to have at least one pair of comfortable runners. Allbirds wool runners come in different styles and colors. Comfortable shoes are required for Ph.D. students who do a lot of walking, commuting, and standing for long hours. Getting them a pair of these not only help prevent injuries or calluses but also add an extra kick to their style.
ECO Lunchbox
Those extra hours in class or lab require extra snacks. Let your Ph.D. student pack a healthy lunch or snack with the ECO Lunchbox Three-In-One. It is made of high-quality food-grade steel, does not contain plastic, and is dishwasher-safe. If you’re trying to reduce plastic waste, this reusable lunchbox is a great choice to help the planet.
Weston Laptop Bag
Ph.D. students find themselves facing a truckload of school-related tasks, so they have to be prepared to do work anywhere and anytime. However, moving their laptop and other essentials from class to class also matters.
You can give them a Weston Laptop Bag for carrying devices and documents around safely and in style. It features a crossbody strap and neoprene luggage-handle sleeve and comes in different colors to liven up their wardrobe.
Brewsense Drip Coffee Maker
A good cup of coffee can cheer up any sleep-deprived Ph.D. student. The gift of coffee maker is something that they would appreciate. The Braun KF6050WH BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker lets them set the temperature and brewing strength ahead of time. This coffee maker gives your Ph.D. student the convenience of having coffee rich in flavor without having to spend much.
Hydro Flask Bottle
Attending back-to-back classes and sessions, running through the hallways to the lab, and the busy schedule might give your Ph.D. student a parched throat. A first water bottle is necessary for keeping you hydrated all the time, and it’s a plus if you can carry it anywhere! The bottle has double vacuum insulation that keeps your beverage hot or cold for hours. It has sweat-free and easy-grip features, so no worries for slip out.
YnM Weighted Blanket
Ph.D. students need to have a healthy sleep habit to combat stress and anxiety. An excellent way to help your Ph.D. student achieve this is by giving them a weighted blanket.
A study showed that weighted blankets ease sleeplessness and provide cocooning feeling, thus decreasing anxiety. The pressure that these blankets give helps them feel safe and relaxed.
The YnM Weighted Blanket is made of extra soft, silky fabric that keeps you comfortable and cool. It is affordable yet is one of the highest-rated weighted blankets in the market.
NutriBullet Pro 13-Piece Set
A perfect blender or smoothie maker is one vital tool to help Ph.D. students stay in shape. With the NurtiBullet Pro, your graduate-student friend can instantly whip up a healthy snack of fruits and vegetables.
This blender breaks down hard vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and kale for a drinkable smoothie. It is designed without any buttons and promotes hassle-free cleaning. It also comes with durable and BPA-free plastic cups that they can leave out on top of their dishwasher or countertop after cleaning.
Stitch Fix Service
For Ph.D. students who have a passion for fashion, but do not have time to try clothes on in the stores will love a Stitch Fix Subscription. Stitch Fix is a clothing box service that helps one make a complete outfit.
Students team up with a stylist to help them choose their wardrobe. This could be useful for students who want to look great with affordable clothes when they run into presentations, attend conferences, graduate school evening events, and other activities. The best way is to give them gift cards. They can try clothes on before buying.
Ideas for a Great “Care Package!”
A planner or notebook to help keep track of their studies.
A coffee mug or travel mug to keep them energized.
A gift card to their favorite restaurant or coffee shop.
A subscription to a magazine or magazine service to keep them informed of current research.
Healthy snacks like granola bars, nuts, and dried fruit keep their energy levels up.
A cozy blanket or throw pillow to make their study space more inviting.
A stress-relieving item like a fidget cube or ball.
A book or two on topics related to their research.
A journal to document their progress.
A fun game to help them take a break and relax.
