You might consider the book linked below. It has wonderful reviews.

Here is a link that might be useful: Oh, The Places You'll Go! Hardcover by Dr. Seuss

I love the tiny umbrella idea!

I think most kids probably already have that book, chemocurl.

So different than when I went off to school. I would've wanted a calling card so I could call home (long distance) often enough. ha! 5 hour energy drinks? Kidding! Ok, ok.

Your suggestions are good. What about a container to carry their toiletries to the shower area? If they're staying in dorms with communal shower facilities? Do they still do that? Or pop up hampers to take their laundry back home.

Here is a link that might be useful: collapsable hampers

A USB stick for saving their notes and essays, a package of printer paper, a gift card to a coffee shop

My first suggestion was a nice framed picture of them all, but then I remembered how tiny my dorm room was and how I would try to avoid extra "stuff" that I didn't need.

So many something edible or usable (Starbucks cards, grocery cards, itunes), or something practical like quarters for the laundry! Though I imagine a lot of dorms use cards or digital options now..

They still do communal showers. Not sure about the couns for laundry, might be a swipe of the meal ticket/ flex dollars card. I like the mem stick idea. I also like the photo idea, but I'll text it to the girls to have on theor phones I think.

Actually, depending on the university, there may or may not be community showers. Many res halls are arranged in suites or pods, where 2-6 students share a bathroom (that may have two showers/toilets/sinks).

Freshmen are typically housed in buildings with community bathrooms, but the trend lately is for room arrangements, as above. If they're going to higher-end universities (Notre Dame is one exception) they are likely to have the newer room arrangements as listed above.

Small marker board with Command strip hangers (no damage to wall or door when removed).

I've linked one below that is also magnetic. You could buy the Command strips in a multi-pack and split it up among the gifts.

Here is a link that might be useful: Marker Board

Mini first aid kit?

I too like the mini umbrella idea. College students walk from one building to another for classes and I have seen a lot of umbrellas on campus.

Avoid cluttery things like books, frames, etc. They are fun and wonderfully sentimental, but they often get left behind to just be stored.

Consumables are good! Gift cards, etc.

The USB stick is a great idea too.

CA$H is awesome! LOL DD got a $10 bill rolled up and tied with the school color ribbons to look like a diploma (I know they don't come rolled up - but this was super cute)

Thanks! Great ideas!

How about one of those things that all your chargers plug into (phones,iPads,iPods). Outlets are always in short supply. Another idea that's more than $10, but my son really liked-- a monogramed bath towel. You could also do them in school colors, but the monogram was appreciated because no one could mistake his towel for theirs.

I still use one HS graduation gift that I took to college: A sewing kit. It's a small leather zip box with measuring tape, thread, scissors, needles. These days I take it on vacation trips.

I'm sure I've owned (and lost) two dozen umbrellas.

I like the shower caddy idea. I've seen some that roll up, then hang and have pockets for your stuff.

Purse size flashlight? (Another thing I always carry.)

Given reports of women attacked on campus: A "Be Safe" gift with pepper spray and a police whistle!

I would like the sewing kit, a good medical first aid kit, safety kit with mini led flash light and pepper spray, and a loud horn alarm. I have one I bought at Academy sports, it's a small pressurized can with a horn on it and it is loud! For being alone it is great for having in hand in case you need to call for help. They have the pepper spray there too and flash lights.
Having a good led battery light is great in case the power goes out too.
I also keep a whistle in my emergency kit, they have orange ones for cheap at Academy sports.

Here is a link that might be useful: Air horn

Oh, the sewing kit suggestion reminded me of something I put in the girls' stockings. They still say it was the most useful small gift I've ever gotten them. The Hollywood tape works well as a quick fix for torn pant hems and the sponge does a good job of removing any kind of lint or pet hair in addition to deodorant or powder smudges.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fashion Emergency Kit

I always just stick $20 in a card for the grad parties I attend. I really like some of the suggestions mentioned here. When a close friends' son graduated a few yeas ago, and was headed for American U in DC, I ordered AU coffee mugs for him, his mom and dad. The ones for the parents said "AU mom" and "AU dad".

I wouldn't tie the gift to the college. That can change.

Oooh! I want an air horn! I'd keep it next to the phone. Hee-hee!

Gift cards--Starbucks is always a winner. If you can find some inexpensive mugs to put in with a bow or bag or whatever to fancy it up. Honestly, "kids" prefer to pick their own "stuff."

I love the air horns. I have them in the RV too, you never know when you might need to signal for help or scare someone away or even scare animals away.

I have seen one that is a combo with the pepper spray and the air horn, however my luck I would spray someone with the spray when I just meant to blow the horn and that someone might be me or my hubby LOL.
Most boats carry them too usually the bigger ones.
They do have them in a keychain version too.

I think it would cost more than $10, but one of the best gifts my granddaughter received was a small trash can filled with everything needed to do laundry. This woman even included quarters.

For $10 I like the mini umbrella.