Hello my Socratica Friends! We’re here to help you be a Great
Student. And while you can’t BUY anything that will magically make you into a better student,
we have found a few goodies that do SUPPORT you on your journey.
None of us need more silly junk cluttering up our lives. Themed gifts, like apple paperweights
for teachers, may be sweet and well-meaning, but really, how many tchotchkes does one person need?
What you DO need are sensible - yet nice - gifts that recognize your goal of being a Great Student.
You might want to share this video with your friends and family, as a not so subtle hint.
Speaking about HINTING for gifts - did you know you can support Socratica on Patreon?
If you have a little extra left in your gift budget this year,
remember your Socratica Friends. Every contribution we receive means more excellent
educational videos on our channel, free for the world. That’s the gift we give to you in return.
Now, let’s get back to talking about some very nice gifties for YOU.
Here, in no particular order, are our 12 best, most useful gifts for students.
This is our favourite planner, from Moleskine. It’s an academic year planner,
that starts at the beginning of the school year, but they sell traditional planners
that start in January as well. The paper is buttery soft - works really well with those
Pilot gel pens. Each week gets its own page, with plenty of room to write down assignments. On the
opposite page is a spot for notes or a To-Do list. There’s a section with months so you can easily
plan out the whole year as well. Planning ahead can bring you peace of mind like nothing else.
As Ray Bradbury once said, “Coffee is my lifeblood.” Between you and me,
I may have a leeetle bit of a problem with coffee, but it really does jump-start your day. It may
even be good for you (in moderation). Now we do NOT encourage you to give gift cards to Superbucks
where you’re just going to spend way too much for a coffee-flavoured milkshake. Start making your
own coffee in a good-quality coffee maker at home. That way, you can make it when you need it - late
at night, early in the morning. You won’t have to drive across town or wait in line, and you
will definitely save money. Try a French Press or a Cold Brew machine. You’ll taste the difference.
A good reading light can really help your stamina when you do your assignments.
Don’t rely on the standard dorm lights - they are undoubtedly insufficient. We recommend you
use a full-spectrum light that simulates sunlight. There’s a great brand called OTT
light that specializes in just this kind of thing. See? Your eyes will thank you.
You can tell we love books here at Socratica. We filled an entire room full of them!
But the truth is, it’s hard to take real books with you everywhere. That’s why we’re
recommending an e-reader. We haven’t given up paper books entirely - no way, never! BUT...the
Kindle has taken its place in our hearts. The kindle is especially great for travel - no more
making the hard decision of which books to take with you in your suitcase - just take them all!
Socratica Friends, we literally WROTE THE BOOK on "How to Be a Great Student."
Buy your copy today!
The best part of the Kindle is using it with programs like Overdrive and Libby
from your local public library. You go online, check out a book,
and it appears on your kindle. When your loan expires, it just disappears. No more
late fees! If you wish you spent more time reading, a Kindle makes that so much easier.
I’m not in school anymore, but I still carry a bookbag. Actually, all of us at Socratica do. We
go out to cafes and libraries where we get a lot of our writing done. I usually pack a notebook or
two, a planner, a laptop, a phone, some pens, my headphones…To keep this all organized, I need a
backpack with a lot of compartments. There are a lot of backpacks out there, but this one is mine.
When you’re in college, it’s practically impossible to control your environment.
You might be ready to study, and surprise! Your roommate has 3 of her besties drop by.
You go to the library, and there’s some dude who won’t stop humming to himself.
What’s a Great Student to do? Slap on a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.
They don’t ensure perfect silence, but they do a pretty great job of cutting down on distractions.
We recommend adding a little bit of white noise (or pink noise, or brown noise) at a low volume.
I remember finding outlets in college dorm rooms woefully inadequate.
Two outlets for three people? Crazy. Here are a few ideas that should help:
A power strip with surge protection. A looooong phone charger (like 10 feet).
And don’t forget your power needs on the go - we like these power banks from Anker.
Okay, this one is kind of funny and sad. But if you’ve ever used a public shower - in a dorm
or at the gym - you know it’s never quite as pristine as it should be. It’s all too
easy to pick up athlete’s foot or some other fungus and then take it home with you. Great,
another roommate. Don’t let unwelcome guests have access to your feet. You need them to stay healthy
so you can feel your best. Luckily, there’s an easy solution that doesn’t involve you bleaching
the shower every time you use it. SHOWER SHOES. Some might even call them a fashion statement.
Here’s another simple way to stay healthy. Get a fantastic toothbrush that keeps your teeth
and gums in good shape. A lot of students neglect their dental care when they’re in
college - they just don’t have time to visit the dentist. If you get an electric toothbrush,
it makes it much more likely you’ll spend the right amount of time brushing.
It’s like a nice little massage twice a day.
You probably have a meal plan if you’re in college. But things happen,
and sometimes you miss lunch. Or maybe you live off campus, and you have a little kitchenette so
you’re on your own for foodies. Don’t resort to fast food. Here’s the easiest,
most foolproof cooking method ever - the rice cooker. It makes perfect rice every time - but
that’s not all! You can cook SO many different things in it. We recommend this hysterical
cookbook written by the great Roger Ebert called The Pot and How to Use it. You’ll be a convert.
Pulling all-nighters is almost synonymous with college life.
Resist this impulse. Make sure your bed is comfy and cozy. That means a great pillow
and being able to control the temperature of your bed. Electric blankets are MAGIC in the winter.
We know you love your college sweatshirt (hey, I wear my Socratica sweatshirt ALL
THE TIME) - but some occasions call for something a little dressier. Maybe
you’re going out to dinner with your roommate’s parents. Maybe you’re going on a job interview.
You don’t have to go all out in a 3-piece suit. Just wear some pants and a button-down shirt,
or a dress if you’d prefer, and then throw on a navy blazer. Done.
We hope someone special decides to surprise you with one of these thoughtful presents.
They were all chosen with the goal of supporting you becoming a Great Student. It’s still up to
you to do all the work, Socratica Friends, but these lovely goodies may smooth the road a little.