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If you're buying presents for someone who's going into VCE next year - what do you think they'd appreciate? Is there anything you wanted in VCE to help your studies but couldn't afford?

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6 Answers

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When getting Christmas presents for VCE students, it is important to consider how it will affect or benefit the students' performance. The aim is to enhance the student's performance and minimise possible procrastination. A present may not be appropriate, but alternatives could be sought. Here are some examples:

Bad

  • Computer games: Addictive and negatively impacts performance. Could lead to poor time management (I have actually seen how this led to a 'high school dropout')
  • Car: Could encourage late night partying and going to unwanted places during the school year

Good

  • Music Gift Cards (E.g. iTunes & BigPond): Though one could say music causes distraction it could help in relaxation for some. This could definitely prevent possible procrastination compared to computer games. I've gotten these for purchasing music, and they definitely drew my attention away from games.
  • Magazine/Newspaper subscriptions: For those who haven't been keeping up with current affairs, a gift like this would promote a positive change such as to encourage reading. This could help students with preparation for VCE English during summer.

Therefore, it is important to make a list of possible presents and separate them into 'Good' or 'Bad'. Doing this will allow one to decide alternatives to 'Bad' presents. This method of deciding presents can also be used when giving incentives during the year.

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If someone doesn't own an mp3 player, they could be very useful (and probably something they will want)

You could suggest that they find VCE related podcasts and audiobooks in stores and listen to them whenever it's convenient!

This way, it won't seem like a lame gift - can also be genuinely entertaining whilst being useful for the recipient.

The downside is that they are usually expensive, but I've started seeing some under $20 which is great!

I love this question... Hope to read more answers!

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Great answer - mp3 players are a must have for every student these days. – James Spittal♦ Dec 19 at 3:25
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Here's a few I thought of,

  • If they're doing Mathematical Methods, Specialist (or perhaps even Further) - they'd almost definitely appreciate a TI-84 Plus Calculator. These are basically a must have for every Maths student from my experience. TI-84 Plus by Texas Instruments and they're usually around $120 RRP.

(Bare in mind though if they're doing Mathematical Methods (CAS) version, they might need a different type of calculator.)

  • Amazon, iTunes or Audible Gift Cards: these websites each have some excellent resources for educational books, podcasts, audiobooks and more. There's also a range of prices to fit your budget.
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CAS is the only such course now, as of 2010! TI-89 CAS is the way to go :) – Collin Li♦ Dec 19 at 6:25
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Inspired by the iPhone Thread, Is it worth getting an iPhone for VCE? - you could get a student an iPod Touch. These have many of the same applications as an iPhone but are much cheaper. There's many educational applications out there these days and a hard-working student can use it to keep him or herself organised.

Here's a few other ideas,

  • Yearly subscription to The Age
  • The Age VCE Success Subscription
  • Netbook. Laptops are getting more and more affordable these days to a point where every student ought to have one. I'd recommend the Asus EEEPC 1000H or similarly sized 10-inch model. These are small enough to take to school and powerful enough to type up homework on.
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 It's good to note that it only costs around $13 if you are a student to subscribe to The Age FOR A YEAR! If yo do not go to school its like $100-$200, so take up the cheap offer – asa.hoshi Dec 24 at 4:42
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  • I think many would appreciate a gift card (if such a thing exists) for tutoring/lectures/revision programs. I know I would have appreciated it, because the cost for many range from $20-$200.

  • A diary COST: $5-30

  • An electronic organiser e.g. Apple iPhone which has many educational apps useful to keep on top of your studies, in VCE and University COST: $160+

  • If they are learning a LOTE, they would really appreciate software which teaches you the language, many stores such as Dick Smith and JB-HI-FI contain great programs teaching you everything, languages cover Japanese, Mandarin, French, Spanish amongst many others. COST: $10-40

  • A book (on their favourite subject/topic)COST:$20+

  • If they are doing History:Revolutions, maybe buy them the myriad of DVD's focussing on the Russian/French Revolutions? It may sound cocky, but you would be surprised how many people are interested in them! COST:$20-35

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A book on:

  • Time management
  • How to write well ("English Essentials" by Fox and Wilkinson)
  • Persuasion (try "Influence: Science and Practice" by Robert Cialdini)

  • Learning Techniques

  • And of course who could go wrong with a few study guides if you know the subjects they are studying

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