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Is it really already time to leave high school behind? With college on the horizon, the high school grad in your life is facing a whole new world where she can make a fresh start. Give her the gifts that’ll help her start those four years off right – and thrive every step of the way!

UNDER $25

Dream Big Art Print, $6.95 at Paper Source

If there’s one thing every college-bound high school grad needs, it’s dorm room décor. Brighten up the walls of her new place with an inspirational poster like this gem from Paper Source. Dare to dream big!

The Her Campus Guide to College Life: How to Manage Relationships, Stay Safe and Healthy, Handle Stress,
and Have the Best Four Years of Your Life
, $11.40 on Amazon

College is full of unknowns. It’s all about facing challenges, meeting new people and finding yourself. So yeah, we know that college can seem scary, and that’s why we’ve made it easy with the official Her Campus book. Give the grad in your life a leg up on all things college with this insider info and must-have advice!

Garance Doré Leopard Weekly Desk Pad, $12 at Catbird

Help that college freshman you know stay on top of everything; this weekly desk calendar will do the trick! Plus, its cute pattern makes it more than a calendar – it’s a statement piece of dorm décor.

Les Notebooks, $12.95 at Anthropologie

You don’t have to be a Francophile to fall in love with these notebooks and planners from Anthropologie (though fans of the French will certainly fall the hardest). Organized? Oui. Très chic? Oui.

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, $14.44 at Barnes & Noble

Give your grad an extra dose of inspiration – motivate her to stand up for what she believes in and stand up for what’s right. The incredible story of Malala Yousafzai is one of a heroine any recent high school grad can look up to.

‘Hello Beautiful’ Glass Trinket Tray, $16 at Nordstrom

Sure, she needs a place to put all of her trinkets (no more lost rings!). But she also might need a daily dose of affirmation. Send her a ‘hello beautiful’ message every day.

The Happy Family, $28 at The Her Campus Shop

Note-taking at its finest! This set covers everything she’ll need for her first day of classes (and beyond). Plus, it’s got all the spirit and positive vibes she needs for that extra boost of confidence in the classroom.

UNDER $50

Golden Glam Desk Accessories, $12-29 at PB Teen

We’re all about the metallics these days, and these golden desk organizers are hitting the spot.

Gridart 16-Opening Picture Frame, $29.99 on Amazon

You make tons of memories in college – but it’s even more important to hold onto the good times from your high school days, too. This frame lets a college freshman keep all her favorites memories in one place, brightening up her dorm room and reminding her of the people who know her through and through.

S’well Bottle in Gold, $35 at MoMA Store

Like we said, we’ve got a gold addiction this year, and that’s why we’re beyond obsessed with this S’well bottle. S’well is basically the coolest thing in water bottle trends since, well, ever, and our jaws dropped when we saw this new gilded version. Wish list status, achieved!

Goccia Studs in Rose, $38 at Anthropologie

Ooh la la, rose gold! Every girl deserves a gift that’ll help her remember her high school graduation day forever, and these gorgeous earrings are the perfect pick.

Bead + Chain Multi-Wrap Bracelet, $42 at Chloe + Isabel

Meet the friendship bracelet’s grown-up, college-aged sister: this sophisticated Chloe + Isabel wrap bracelet. It has all the comfort and color of her old camp bracelets, but enough sophistication to take her into the big college pond.

Magical Thinking Odette Medallion Tapestry, $49 at Urban Outfitters

Every dorm room needs a tapestry, period. After your college apps, essays and tuition payments, this is college requirement #1.

UNDER $100

Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful Triangle Earrings, $68 at Dogeared

The best gifts are the ones that have thought behind them – and this pair of earrings from Dogeared have just that. The brand’s positive message and self-love reminders are just what a recent grad needs to take the leap into her next chapter.

GLAMGLOW Get Glowing Set, $69 at Sephora

Help her put her best face forward in college – literally! This must-have skincare set gives you a fresh start and a glam glow to get going on your new adventure.

Vera Bradley Large Duffel Bag, $85 at Macy’s

It’s no secret that most college girls don’t pack light. But when she does need to pack, whether for a weekend away or a visit home during break, this colorful Vera Bradley pick will be her new best friend.

OVER $100

Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera, $100 at Urban Outfitters

Here’s to making marvelous memories in college! Forget Facebook and Instagram – take pictures you can actually keep. This instant camera is cute and compact, and we’re loving the idea of a dorm room decorated with an instant photo collage!

Bose SoundLink Color Bluetooth Speaker, $129.99

Let her play her music in style. This Bluetooth speaker is exactly what she needs for her calm study music and her fun, impromptu dance parties with friends (spoiler alert: Taylor Swift will be on that playlist).

Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Monday Cross Body Bag, $148 at Shopbop

Calm, cool and collected – this Kate Spade bag embodies all three. It’s the little black bag every college girl needs in her accessory arsenal, and it makes a major style statement.

Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses in Gold/Blue, $170 at Lord & Taylor

Her future’s so bright, she needs shades (But seriously, she’ll actually need these shades for sunny days on campus).

Apple iPad Mini 16GB $249 at Target

This is a big-budget gift, but it’s also a tool that she’ll use every day in college, whether she’s researching her assignments or getting some much-needed R&R from a night in with Netflix. It’s the present she wants and needs, so it’s the ultimate winner.
 


 

Kate is the Associate Editor of Her Campus. Before joining the staff full-time, Kate was the Campus Correspondent for the HC Skidmore College chapter as well as an editorial intern, Love editor, and national contributing writer for HC. In addition to her work with Her Campus, Kate has been a Sex & Love stringer and digital editorial intern for WomensHealthMag.com and an Inner Circle Trendspotter for MTV. Kate graduated from Skidmore College summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and French. In her spare time, Kate is usually spotted writing fiction, playing tennis, reading pop culture blogs until her eyes hurt, baking cookies, or dreaming up her next travel adventure.
Hello! My name is Vikki Burnett, and I am a graphic design intern at Her Campus. I am a graduate of the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design. Aside from designing for Her Campus, I enjoy horseback riding, painting, hiking, playing guitar, and performing in historical reenactments on horseback.