Whether you’re anticipating your first semester as a college student or returning for another one, no one should start another year of classes without the latest helpful technology.
Forget the old days of paper flashcards and a backpack weighed down by heavy notebooks! This guide will connect you with the best back-to-school tech for college students so you can conquer whatever your classes have in store for you.
1. Bluetooth Car Audio Adapter
Some students drive down the road to reach their community college. Others commute a few hours to visit family on the weekends while they attend their university. Either way, you’re about to have plenty of time in total silence on the road.
Make your life more fun by plugging a Bluetooth wireless audio adapter into your aux cord plugin. You can connect smartphones that don’t have headphone jacks and never have to drive with earbuds blocking you from paying attention to surrounding cars.
2. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
You’re going to need plenty of textbooks in college, which can become one of the most costly parts of being a student. Save money and use an Amazon Kindle Paperwhite to read e-books that cost less and arrive instantly. The 300 PPI screen displays high-resolution photos within your textbooks and the battery can run for weeks, which means you’ll rarely worry about it losing power in the library.
3. HP Spectre x360 14
Every student needs a reliable, sturdy laptop. You’ll carry it to class and the library, and use it for entertainment back in your dorm room. The HP Spectre x360 14 can do all of that and more. It features multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, 11th gen Intel Core processors, and a flexible touch screen that bends backward into a tablet.
You can use it to draw for art classes, take notes during lectures, or highlight e-book text with the touch of your finger. If that’s something you think you could use this year, don’t forget to check out the latest drawing apps that are perfect for school work and self-care doodling.
4. The TKHIN Lighting Ring
Almost everything happens online now, including classes and tutoring. Eventually, you’ll have to get on a video call to finish your schoolwork or chat with classmates. You won’t be able to focus if you’re adjusting lighting the entire time. A lighting ring fixes that by attaching to your monitor or laptop and projecting warm light onto your face.
It’s great if you need to look good on camera and focus on work. You’ll need good lighting to chat with your SAT tutor and reach the 99th percentile to get into a top college or review your academic future with a registrar instructor. You can also use it when you finish college and schedule virtual job interviews.
5. Project 62 Lap Desk
Your roommates might get too loud for you to study or finish homework, so a laptop desk will come in handy when you need to work elsewhere. The Project 62 lap desk prevents your laptop from overheating while it sits on your lap because the hardtop allows for air circulation. It also features a charging port with USB-A and USB-C sockets so you can charge your phone or laptop without putting your work on hold.
6. Sony WH-1000XM4 Soundproof Headphones
Soundproof headphones come in handy when you need to study in a loud environment. They’ll block out distractions and help you focus, but only if they work. Many people trust Sony’s soundproof headphones because they block out the world.
You can also use them for up to 30 hours before ever needing to recharge them. It only takes 10 minutes to get 5 hours of battery life back — perfect for students with busy schedules. A touch sensor controls all of your playback features and a virtual assistant can answer phone calls or skip songs when you’re busy carrying food back to your dorm or taking notes.
7. MEKO Universal Stylus
Investing in a universal stylus will save you from buying endless boxes of pens and pencils throughout your college experience. You’ll never have to rely on ink or paper to record years of notes and study guides. The MEKO stylus connects with Android and Apple tablets and phones. Even better news — it also works with laptop screens.
No matter what you prefer to use in class or during study sessions, a universal stylus will help you learn faster and better. You’ll always have it on hand and never need to stress about charging it.
8. Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker
Although college students spend plenty of time in their classes and the library, they also have busy schedules that take them elsewhere. You might accidentally leave your backpack, purse, or dorm room keys at a friend’s apartment or on a hallway bench. With the Tile Pro Bluetooth tracker, you’ll never lose anything because you can’t remember where you put it.
Tile Pro connects with your phone via Bluetooth so you can use an app to locate anything you lose. It’s also free to use after your initial purchase, which is a significant benefit to college students on a budget. Give yourself some peace of mind and protect yourself against theft by tracking your most valuable belongings.
9. Lenovo Smart Clock
Smartphones have built-in alarm clocks, but they have to stay on all night to wake you up. Turning your phone off while you sleep preserves your phone’s battery life and makes it last longer, so keep the same phone until you graduate by getting a smart clock.
The Lenovo smart clock will dim during the night and save your scheduled alarms. Use the screen to get updated weather and traffic reports right when you wake up or ask the built-in Google Assistant to make reminders or even customize your alarm sound to your favorite songs. You and your phone can get some much-needed rest while your smart clock keeps tabs on the time.
10. Apple Watch SE
A smartwatch can help you lose weight, keep track of your health, and even set alarms to remember your study breaks. The Apple Watch SE is an excellent tool that does all of these things and more. Even if you have an Android phone, you can use it to improve your health and wellness. Those are two things that typically get lost in the craziness of college life, but they’ll help you succeed more easily if you have some technical assistance to keep them on track.
Find the Best Back-to-School Tech
This guide reveals some of the best back-to-school tech for college students, so consider your upcoming semester to figure out what could help you the most. A smartwatch, touch screen laptop, or pair of soundproof headphones could elevate your experience and make college more fun while you work toward graduation.
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