When preparing to attend college for the first time, students must consider what technology to buy for a successful academic semester. Technology in today’s day and age plays a major role in a student’s academic career and their daily activities. Here’s a list of essential technologies to consider purchasing for students coming to college for the first time.
Headphones
A good pair of headphones can help a student be successful in their academic career, especially ones with a noise-canceling option. Students could pop in earbuds like AirPods to listen to music while walking to classes or studying in the library. AirPods’ prices differ across the type purchased. They range anywhere from $129 to $249.
Over-the-head headphones, like Beats By Dre, are also great for a walk to class or studying. Beats headphones range from $199.99 and $349.99.
Both are also great options to use working out at Ping Recreation Center or watching television in a dorm room. Headphones can help students create their own focused study zone and are worth purchasing.
Laptop
A laptop is probably one of the most essential college technology purchases a student can make. Having a laptop that will support a person’s needs for their major can be beneficial to a student’s success. Having a reliable laptop for note-taking, research and accessing sources online is essential. Laptops are convenient to write papers or work on assignments anywhere on campus. Students can also use their laptops to stream television or movies whether it’s in the library, in the dorms or between classes.
iPad or tablet
An iPad or tablet could be an essential purchase for someone to make if they wish to have a lightweight option to carry to class for note-taking over a laptop. A student could also download their textbooks digitally to a tablet to avoid lugging heavy textbooks around campus. iPads range from $499 to $1,299.
Tablets are also more affordable if a student is looking for a more financially friendly option. This form of technology could also be used for streaming services around campus, drawing, reading or used for more graphic-focused projects depending on a student’s major. Accessories to buy for a tablet that could be essential are things like keyboards or Apple Pencils.
Flash drives and SD cards
Depending on a student’s major, having extra storage could be an essential purchase for their college technology. They are also extremely portable and lightweight for students to carry around campus. Memory cards are also compatible with many computers to make transferring data easy.
Flash drives or SD cards are also great for backing up files to save storage space on a computer. These memory cards could be pricey depending on the storage space, but they could be essential for a successful college career.
Calculators
Having a calculator that is adaptable to one’s classes could be essential to having success in the classroom. Depending on what a student is looking for, a calculator could be pricey but can make studying for a math class much easier. Whether it is a scientific calculator or graphing calculator, having one that will help make a student successful in their math courses could be an essential technological purchase.
Camera
Although having a camera is not required for college students, unless a student is a photography major, having one could be a good purchase for students looking for a fun hobby to have. There are many places to travel to in Athens for students to take photos, like Hocking Hills State Park, the Ridges, Strouds Run State Park or College Green. Having a camera could also mean side jobs for students looking for employment on campus like taking graduation photos or headshots. Buying a camera could allow students to capture unforgettable memories during their time at Ohio University.
Technology accessories
There are also technological accessories that students should consider buying for college. Having multiple charging cords for devices or long charging cords could be an essential purchase, especially for students living in the dorms. AirTags on important things like wallets, backpacks or keys could also be a great purchase for a student to make. One AirTag is $29.
Screen protectors for devices could be essential to avoid needing to replace technology more often than necessary. Lastly, a speaker could be an essential purchase for a college student to make. Having a speaker for studying on College Green or for get-togethers in the dorms could add to the experience of being on campus.
