Starting college is an exciting yet overwhelming experience. Between managing classes, making new friends, and figuring out how to survive on ramen, students can use all the support they can get. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, practical, and easy-to-make gift, a Printable College Survival Gift Card Book is the perfect solution! This DIY gift gives students essential & fun gift cards to help them through their first year of college while adding a personal touch. This is the ultimate survival guide for college students.
Table of Contents
College Survival Guide
What is a Printable College Survival Gift Card Book?
A printable gift card book is a beautifully designed, downloadable booklet where you can attach gift cards to each page. Each section is themed to help a student navigate different aspects of college life—whether it’s grabbing a coffee before an early class, stocking up on dorm essentials, or enjoying a stress-relieving treat.
Why a Gift Card Book Makes the Perfect College Gift
- Practicality – Gift cards allow students to get exactly what they need, from school supplies to snacks.
- Personalized Touch – Unlike handing over a plain gift card, this book adds a thoughtful, creative presentation.
- Budget-Friendly – You can customize it to fit any budget by selecting gift cards that match your price range.
- Encouragement – Each page can include fun notes, motivational quotes, or tips to help students feel supported.
A Printable College Survival Gift Card Book is more than just a collection of gift cards—it’s a heartfelt way to show support for a college student in your life. Whether it’s for a recent high school graduate, a friend heading back to school, or a family member starting their college journey, this DIY gift will bring smiles (and much-needed caffeine!).
What to Include in the Gift Card Book
Here are some page ideas for your College Survival Gift Card Book:
- Morning Motivation – Attach a coffee shop gift card (Starbucks, Dunkin’, local café) to fuel early mornings and long study sessions.
- Dorm Essentials – A Target, Walmart, or Amazon gift card to help stock up on bedding, storage, and cleaning supplies.
- Late-Night Snacks – Domino’s, Uber Eats, or a local pizza shop gift card for those late study nights.
- School Supplies & Books – Barnes & Noble, Office Depot, or an Amazon gift card for textbooks and stationery.
- Self-Care & Relaxation – A spa, wellness, or self-care subscription gift card (like Bath & Body Works or a streaming service) to encourage relaxation.
- Laundry Day – A prepaid laundry card or a Visa gift card to cover detergent and dryer sheets.
- Fun & Entertainment – A movie theater, Spotify, Netflix, or gaming gift card for downtime.
- Emergency Fund – A prepaid Visa or Mastercard for unexpected expenses.
Gift cards to add to the College gift card book
Below is a small list of ideas. Other ideas can be Gas, other food, or game gift cards. You can choose, depending on your time,e to give physical gift cards as well as digital ones.
- Apple Gift Card
- Starbucks Gift Card pack
- Lyft or Uber gift card
- Sephora Gift Card
- Chipotle Gift card
- Barnes and Noble
- The home Depot
- Best Buy
- Amazon Gift card
- Visa gift card
- Panera multipack
- Google Play
- Doordash
- Lowes
- H&M
Printable Templates
Would you love to create one? Grab a printable template today and start putting together the ultimate college care package in book form!
This Etsy listing includes two cover options that you can also bring into Canva and personalize by adding your college student’s name at the top above the word college. Two blank Themed stationary pages. So you can either bring into Canva and type a letter then print or print and handwrite a letter. Then 38 pages of gift card holders. Each gift card holder page has a different reason ad you can pick and choose some or all. This College survival book comes in two sizes.
The larger size is letter, which can easily be printed, and gift cards can remain in their packaging, and double- sided tape is used to adhere to each page. You can then choose to bind this all together. Look below for some suggestions. Also in the same listing is a 5×7 size booklet that can be cut and folded into a smaller version. Because this is a smaller size, it is recommended that each card is taken out of its packaging and double-sided tape to each page.
How to Construct Your College Survival Gift Card Book
Creating this gift is easy and requires minimal supplies:
1: Gather Supplies – You will need a printable template, high-quality paper or cardstock, double-sided tape or adhesive pockets, a hole punch, and ribbon or binder rings.
2: Purchase here a printable gift card book template that suits your theme.
3: Print the pages on durable paper or cardstock to ensure longevity.
4: Attach the gift cards securely using adhesive pockets, double-sided tape, or glue dots.
5: Arrange the pages in a logical order, ensuring that each section flows smoothly.
6: Bind the pages together by hole-punching and securing them with a ribbon, binder rings or placing them in a mini binder. You can also take it to a local printer and have them spiral bind the pages together, making a spiral book.
7: Add finishing touches such as personal messages, stickers, or handwritten notes to make it even more special!
Materials for college survival book
Below are some basic Materials you will need to construct your college survival kit. Most you will have in your home. I suggest if printing from home to use quality printer paper or cardstock this will make your printouts more vibrant. To bind your college gift card book, you can use clips, rings or bring it to staples and have them put on a plastic binder spine. You can also put these in a small binder as well.
Free College checklist!
Additional printable college survival kits!
You have come to the right place! Not only have I created these printable college gift card books, but I have also created other printable college survival kits!
These additional college survival kits have a slightly different approach. Open when for college students are printable labels with 38 prompts that will help to put relevant small tokens, letters, or gifts inside an envelope pr small gift bag. Which will make a great going away to college necessity.
Check out: What To Put In Open When Letters- An Ultimate Guide! Where I give an in depth list of many ideas to add to your open when envelopes, or even a care package.
Here are some thoughtful categories of what to include in Open When Letters for college students:
Motivational & Encouragement
- Handwritten pep talks
- Inspirational quotes
- Motivational stickers
- Small goal tracker
Stress & Study Breaks
- Herbal tea or instant coffee packets
- Stress relief tips
- Mini adult coloring pages & colored pencils
- Playlist of relaxing music
Homesickness & Comfort
- Family photo or childhood memory
- A piece of home (fabric swatch, hometown postcard)
- Scented sachet with a familiar smell (lavender, vanilla)
- Favorite snack from home
Celebrations & Special Moments
- Confetti or balloons
- Mini congratulations card
- Small gift card for a treat (Starbucks, fast food)
- Fun stickers or party popper
Tough Days & Self-Care
- Encouraging letter from you
- Self-care checklist
- Face mask or travel-size lotion
- Packet of hot chocolate
Laughter & Fun
- Silly jokes or puns
- A funny meme or comic strip
- Glow sticks for a spontaneous dorm dance party
- Small puzzle or riddle card
Love & Friendship
- A heartfelt reminder of how much they are loved
- A friendship bracelet or keychain
- Memory from a shared experience (photo, ticket stub)
- Song lyrics that describe your relationship
Just Because & Random Surprises
- Scratch-off lottery ticket
- Mini Polaroid or printed Instagram photo
- A mystery challenge (e.g., “Go introduce yourself to someone new!”)
- Fortune cookie with a personalized fortune inside
The below are also printable labels but they are used on a flat rate USPS medium size box. You can stuff as many momentums, snacks, cards, and small gifts as can fit in the box. That’s why it’s called a flat rate box.
A college care package is a great way to send love, encouragement, and essentials! Here are some thoughtful ideas based on different categories:
Study Essentials
- Highlighters & sticky notes
- Fun or aesthetic notebooks
- Blue-light blocking glasses
- Mini whiteboard & markers
- Noise-canceling earplugs
- Flashcards
Snacks & Treats
- Protein bars or granola bars
- Microwave popcorn
- Instant noodles or mac & cheese cups
- Candy or chocolate
- Trail mix or mixed nuts
- Tea, coffee, or hot chocolate packets
Self-Care & Relaxation
- Face masks or lip balm
- Essential oil roller (lavender for stress relief)
- Cozy socks or slippers
- Sleep mask & earplugs
- Mini candle (if allowed)
- Stress ball or fidget toy
Health & Wellness
- Emergen-C or vitamin gummies
- Travel-size hand sanitizer
- Band-aids & mini first aid kit
- Tissues & chapstick
- Reusable water bottle
- Cough drops
Fun & Entertainment
- Deck of cards or small game
- Puzzle book (Sudoku, crossword)
- Playlist or podcast recommendations
- Funny memes or a handwritten joke
- DIY “Open When” Letters
Dorm Room Comfort
- Fuzzy blanket or throw pillow
- String lights or LED lights
- Mini photo album with family & friends
- Command Hooks & adhesive Strips
- Mini fan or humidifier
Practical Must-Haves
- Laundry detergent pods & dryer sheets
- Stain remover pen
- Gift cards (Starbucks, DoorDash, Amazon)
- Phone charger or portable battery
- Reusable shopping bag
And of course, the survival pages to make your own College survival gift card book.
Relevant posts
Below are the full posts to additional College ideas
- 38 Open When Letters For College Students
- Printable Care package Labels- for every Occasion!
- College Student Budget Template Must have!
Thanks for stopping by!
This post is all about the College Survival Guide
Last update on 2025-04-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Leave a Reply