Gifts for College-Bound High School Grads

High school graduation is the time in your child's life when their next chapter begins. Their dreams, hopes and, most importantly, their freedom, all seem within their grasp. As you prepare to say goodbye and send them on their way, why not send them with something that they will really enjoy? Whether your child is an outgoing social butterfly or a studious bookworm, we've got 10 perfect gifts for your college-bound high school grad that will start their college experience off with a bang.

 1. Tablet 
iPad 2

Whether your child is constantly checking Facebook or Twitter on the go, or fervently taking notes during class, the iPad 2 is the ideal computing device for any student. These tablets feature a large touchscreen but small dimensions, so the iPad is the perfect device for students to carry on a daily basis. With a large internal memory and up to 10 hours of battery life, the iPad 2 will get your new college student through an entire day filled with note taking, listening to music and surfing the web. And with dual camera capabilities and the ability to record 720pHD video, not a moment of their college experience will be lost.

2. Laptop
HP Compaq 6730b

College is full of late night cramming, researching and writing papers – all part of the classwork that never seems to end. The only way to be successful in college and accomplish all the work thrown their direction is to have access to a computer. A laptop computer allows a college student to be productive at all times throughout the day. Your child will not have to worry about running to campus to type their last minute English paper or find information for their history presentation for tomorrow. The HP Compaq 6730b not only provides quick access to the internet through its Wi-Fi capabilities, it can also store 2GB worth of documents and boasts a crisp screen resolution. Additionally, the built-in web cam means you'll be able to video chat with your child. It's like the gift that keeps on giving.

 3. iPod Shuffle
Apple iPod Shuffle

If your child loves music, they will appreciate this portable MP3 player. This compact device gives your high school graduate 15 hours of battery life, allowing them to listen to their favorite tunes as they walk to and from class or while concentrating on homework. This MP3 player provides 2GB of storage, which translates to storing hundreds of songs. Plus, the iPod Shuffle is small enough for students to clasp onto a jacket while they're walking to class and stick in their pocket during lectures.

4. eBook Reader
Kindle 3

Whether your child is a bookworm or just enjoys a little light reading, a Kindle may be the gift you are looking for. These portable devices can store hundreds of books, connect to the internet through Wi-Fi and play several different audio formats. And not only is a Kindle a perfect way for your child to maintain a large library while living in a small dorm room, but several text books are also available in the Kindle's digital format, saving you money at the bookstore.

5. Compact Digital Camera
Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR

College is an experience unlike any other, and your child will want to capture these memories. The Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR is a compact digital camera that can capture your child's journey, every step of the way. The F300EXR not only features a small and portable design, it offers 12MP photos, 15x optical zoom and a battery life that can last for 250 images. No matter what your child's personality, they will love the ability to document their adventures while away from your close care.

6. Personal Finance Software
AceMoney

When new graduates step out on their own, managing their money quickly becomes a concern. Personal finance software is one way your child can keep track of income and expenses. AceMoney helps your high school graduate manage a credit card, pay any bills or expenses they may have and maintain a budget. Going to college isn't always about the fun and the books. It includes several life lessons, and AceMoney is just one way to make financial life lessons a little less painful.

 7. Gaming Gift Cards
OffGamers

Everyone will need some type of distraction from their studies, and if your high school graduate enjoys gaming, why not consider a gaming gift card? Knowing the exact game or type of gaming accessory your child most craves can be difficult, but a gift card allows them to buy exactly what they want to create their ultimate gaming experience. OffGamers offers gift cards to more than 200 games and provides easy payment options, including the ability to trade gaming credits. 

8. Compact Fridge
GE Spacemaker GMR06AAPBB Compact Refrigerator

Every college student loves to eat. Most students want something fast and quick to grab. The GE Spacemaker compact fridge makes it possible for your high school graduate to keep brain food nearby while keeping their noses in the books. This 6-cubic-foot compact fridge will also save time, keeping students from running to the cafeteria or, even worse, on constant fast food stops.

 9. LCD TV
LG 55LD650

Just because your high school graduate is heading off to college doesn't mean they will always be reading, writing or filling their minds with knowledge. Sometimes they will need some relaxation, and a little chill time may be the perfect remedy to keep their minds going. The LG 55LD650 is an LCD TV that will allow their minds to wander and focus on something more than chemistry or psychology. The LG 55LD650 is available with a 47- or 55-inch screen, and it is just over 3 inches thick. It offers beautiful 1920 x 1080 resolution, and several connectivity options ensure this device will fit nicely in any dorm room or apartment.

10. TV and Video Membership
Netflix

If your child has a favorite TV show or is a movie buff, they can take that passion with them to college. Netflix gives your graduate unlimited TV episodes and movies instantly through the internet or television set. By simply signing up for the service, your high school graduate can instantly access an unlimited selection of TV episodes and movies. This is the perfect gift to fill those boring Friday or Saturday nights when nothing else seems to be going on.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.

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The All-Vacation Checklistt

Whether you’re planning one or several trips this summer, don’t be caught unprepared! We have rounded up the 10 best products and services to have on any vacation. From electronics for entertainment to hotel and flight booking service websites, these products are useful for road trips to visit family and flights to exotic destinations alike.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

1. eBook Reader
Kindle 3
Traveling will always be contiguous with waiting in the airport, long flights and exhausting drives. Keep your mind busy with our favorite eBook reader, the Kindle 3. The Kindle's long battery life and light weight make it especially desirable for travel. The Kindle 3’s screen and high-contrast E Ink is easy on the eyes compared to bright LCD screens that can damage your eyes if you look at it for too long. However, as with printed books, you cannot read E Ink in the dark without the aid of an overhead or book light.

2. Car Rental Service 
Enterprise
Renting a car is always a chore when you're traveling, but Enterprise’s online car rental service makes it less aggravating. The website is easy to use and understand, and it offers a wider selection of cars than most other rental service sites, including an impressive array of hybrid cars. It also helps that this company has locations is most U.S. states and foreign countries!

3. Noise-cancelling Headphones
Sennheiser PXC 350
Noise-cancelling headphones are perfect for use in cars and airplanes alike. Though they may be a little bulky, you’ll be grateful for these headphones if there’s a crying baby on your flight or if the person next to you has his music up too loud. The cushioning around your ears blocks out all outside noise so that you can listen to your music at a comfortable volume. These headphones are also great for napping, even if you don’t have music playing.

4. Travel Insurance 
TravelSafe Vacation Plan
There’s no way to guarantee that you, your family and your property will return from a vacation completely unscathed. Travel insurance can provide a hefty payout in cases of medical emergencies, lost baggage and other travel headaches. When it comes to these types of emergencies, especially common issues such as baggage delays, TravelSafe Vacation Plan is worth the premium cost.

5. Tablet and Carrying Case
iPad 2
An iPad is the cure-all for boredom on the road and in the air. Music, games, internet, eBooks and more are available at the touch of a finger on an iPad. Its 10-hour battery life should get you through most of the day’s travel time. You can also purchase travel guides to major cities such as Paris and Chicago to help you find activities and places to eat. Use our top-rated tablet to calm fussy children in the backseat by letting them play some games, but be sure to purchase a carrying case to protect your iPad from smudgy fingerprints and scratches! http://tablets-review.toptenreviews.com/apple-ipad-2-review.html

6. iPad Car Mount
DB Headrest Mount Holder for iPad 2
This mount transforms your iPad into a TV screen for backseat passengers by attaching to the back of a headrest. It has adjustable clamps and tilt so it will attach to the headrest in any car. It comes with an auxiliary cable that you can use to connect the iPad to your car’s stereo system. Although the mount probably won’t attach to many airplane seats, this is a useful item to have for rental cars and road trips.

7. Travel & Map Software
Microsoft Streets & Trips 2011
Travel and map software is an excellent trip-planning aide. Microsoft Streets & Trips, TopTenREVIEWS number one rated travel software, can help you plan ahead for your vacation with detailed maps and driving directions, among other features. Streets & Trips helps you expect the unexpected with useful tools such as a gas calculator, road construction updates and a GPS wizard.

8. Hotel Booking Service 
Priceline
Researching hotel rates can be tedious, especially if you’re planning a trip to several locations. Online travel service sites such as Priceline make it easy. Just type in the city where you’ll be staying and the dates you’ll need a hotel and the service will bring up the best hotel deals in the area based on criteria you determine. You can compare the rates and hotels and then book the room you want from the website. Priceline also provides best-deal info for flights, cruises, vacation packages and more. By taking advantage of this website, you can book the best deals for your whole vacation at one place.

9. Compact Digital Camera
Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR
There’s no point in going on vacation without a camera! Make sure you have the best device for documenting what will later become cherished memories. We love the Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR’s 15X zoom feature. This camera is especially great for sight-seeing; it has a long battery life, excellent image quality and is small enough to fit in a bag or pocket.

10. Foreign Language Software
Tell Me More Software
Traveling abroad this summer? It’s never too late to learn a new skill, and traveling to a foreign country is the perfect reason to learn a new language. Interactive foreign language software makes learning a new language as easy as uno, dos tres. Tell Me More language software is available in nine languages including Spanish, Arabic and Chinese. This software makes brushing up on a foreign language or starting from scratch easy with tools such as voice recognition, 3D animations of lip and mouth movements and games that help you learn the names and geography of foreign cities and landmarks.

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Top 10 Social Networks for Kids

Over 20,000 kids age 13 and under try to cheat the age limit and sneak into Facebook every day, and it’s easy to see why. What kid wouldn’t want to watch funny videos of their friends, chat with their neighborhood peers or play an addicting game like Farmville? Unfortunately, Facebook and other popular social networks are also filled with adult content, unfiltered comments and potential for cyberbullying, identity theft and child predators.

With this problem in mind, several companies have attempted to create safer alternatives that are essentially “Facebook for kids” –safe social network platforms where kids can be themselves without all the risks. Social networks for kids are built on the balance of entertainment, expression, experience, education and engagement without endangering exposure. Facebook isn’t for kids, but social networking can be.

Social networks for kids are a safe alternative to Facebook because they are built with safety in mind and age-appropriate fun. The best social networks for kids have all the features of traditional social communities (friending, chat, photos, profiles, comments, etc.) but also have more kid-friendly features like games, virtual gifts, contests, art projects and more. Most importantly, kid-friendly social networks are monitored and include parental oversight to make sure everyone is safe.

More than just a digital babysitter, social networks for kids can be a useful teaching tool, helping kids learn about appropriate social network etiquette, safe sharing practices and online citizenship. You and your kids can enjoy social network training wheels while they prepare for the inevitable rite of passage of one day getting a real Facebook page. When they're ready to move on to the real deal, you can still keep in the loop by using Facebook parental controls.

Click on any of the top 10 social networks for kids to learn more about the exciting features and benefits in store for you and your kids. You can find an age-appropriate social network that your kids will love and you can approve of. Your kids will like them better than Facebook, and you’ll rest easy knowing they’re protected.

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