It’s tough being a student. There is homework, tests, and lots of stress. All of this adds to your time in the library, classrooms, and dorm room. If you’re going to college this fall (or even if you’re planning on returning), you must have the right technology for the new environment. While not everyone can afford all the latest gadgets, there are some affordable alternatives to make life easier for students. Here are a few of the best technologies for your college life:
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones are an excellent choice for any college student who needs to block out noise. Whether studying for a test or trying to nap, these can help drown out the sounds of your roommates’ conversations and any other distractions around you. You can also use them while listening to music, if you want to enjoy your favorite tunes without being able to hear anyone else’s music playing over yours.
One caveat is that these headphones are typically more expensive than traditional earbuds or in-ear monitors (IEM), but there are still plenty of options that won’t break the bank. Once again, it’s all about doing your research and finding what works best for your budget.
A Tablet with an Attachable Keyboard
An iPad or Galaxy Tab is a must-have for college students. You can use it to take notes, research papers, write papers, connect to the internet, play games, and watch movies. A laptop, such as a Lenovo from lenovo.com, is a way to go if you want something more powerful than an iPad or Galaxy Tab (iPad Pro). If you’re unsure which tablet is right for you, check out our article about what type of tablet is best for college students.
A High-Quality, Reliable Backpack
A backpack is a crucial piece of every college student’s wardrobe. It should be large enough to fit all your books and other items and comfortable to wear. The backpack should also have good quality zippers and straps that do not break easily. If you carry a laptop with you daily, make sure there is a separate sleeve inside the backpack where you can store it safely.
Spare Phone Charger Cords
Phone chargers are an essential part of your life, especially during college. You will always be using your phone: checking your email, taking notes in class, texting your friends and family, and much more. However, what happens if your charger cord breaks? You’ll have no way to use your phone until you get a new one.
A spare charger cord can be the difference between being able to use your phone whenever you want and having to wait until someone can bring you a new one from home. A spare charger cord is also essential for emergencies, like when you have an important class or meeting where having access to your phone is crucial (and it would be very inconvenient not to have access).
Desk Lamp
A desk lamp is an excellent idea for your dorm room or apartment. You’ll want to look for one that has a flexible arm, so you can direct the light wherever it’s needed, and one that comes with multiple brightness settings. As a bonus, many lamps have built-in USB ports, so you can charge your phone or other devices while working on homework or studying.
Plus, if you’re concerned about eye strain from staring at a computer screen all day long, using an eye-friendly lamp can help prevent this condition by spreading out the light source instead of concentrating it on a single spot in front of your face (like overhead lighting).
Whiteboard & Markers
Make the most of your whiteboard. As a college student, you’ll probably write everything down. Whiteboards are a great way to make notes and organize information. They’re also great for group work, as you can easily erase one person’s message and write over it with another person’s response or thought. If you must constantly rewrite something because someone else erased it, use a dry-erase marker instead of an ink pen or pencil.
Markers are typically cheaper than pens and don’t require sharpening (which can be tedious when writing on something like paper). They’re better for long-term use than pens because they aren’t as likely to run out of ink during your busy school day, and they’re easier to write with than pens.
