The Verge’s 2024 back-to-school gift guide

The Verge’s 2024 back-to-school gift guide

Image: Pamela Guest for The Verge

Equipping a student for school, especially campus life, takes more than some composition books and a few No. 2 pencils.

Back-to-school season may have once felt far off, but I regret to inform you that it has arrived in many parts of the US. Thankfully, a new school year also brings new opportunities — along with exciting new gadgets and supplies that can help young academics get their work done. Because, let’s be honest, churning through a flurry of humdrum assignments is always more enjoyable with a spiffy new pen, notepad, or gadget.

With that in mind, we at The Verge have pooled together a list of gift ideas for the student in your life. Some are pretty conventional, like a spiral notebook or a book light, only they’re a bit nicer than your average supermarket fodder. Others, like Philips Hue’s colorful LED strip and League of Lexicon, allow students to personalize their space, settle into campus life, and unwind after a stressful week of 8AM classes (because those always seem like a good idea at first).

Hopefully, these recommendations get the kids as excited about the start of school as you are to see them get out of the house.