6 Electronics Every Student Needs

By Allie Caton on July 25, 2017

College is very different than it was just 10 years ago. More students are using laptops instead of notebooks and iPads instead of textbooks — it’s vital that you are stocked up on the best electronics to help you succeed.

You don’t need the fanciest and most expensive gadgets to get through college. There are so many resources for people on a student budget to buy electronics that are almost necessary to the college experience. Don’t discount the use of the less flashy electronics — those are often the most important ones!

Here is a list of six electronics that will enhance your college experience.

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1. Power strip

This may seem like a boring one, but it will likely be the most important electronic you purchase. Dorm rooms are notorious for skimping out on outlets — a power strip will take care of this issue. As a student who relies on your laptop, phone, e-reader, and tablet for class, it’s vital that you are able to charge them all at once so they are ready to go when you are.

There’s nothing worse than trying to time when you need to switch out your electronics from using the outlet so that you can hopefully get everything you need charged up before class. Opt for a surge protecting power strip over one that isn’t — this will protect you from any electrical surges that can damage your devices.

2. External hard drive

Again, it’s not the most exciting electronic you can get, but it will really save your life. As students, our lives are on our laptops — this is a large burden for our laptops to carry. We are constantly filling our hard drives with papers, presentations, videos, photos, and music and, eventually, our laptop can break under the pressure.

This is where an external hard drive has your back. Losing all of your files because of a crash is DEVASTATING to you as a student and as a young person. An external hard drive is the best way to protect your important files from getting destroyed in the event of a crash.

3. E-reader

An e-reader is a great product to have as a student. Books are an unavoidable part of school but there are ways to make buying books cheaper and easier. E-readers are great because you can buy not only novels on them but also sometimes entire textbooks.

Having all your textbooks on one device will save you from scoliosis caused by lugging massive textbooks around campus. E-books are often cheaper than buying the physical copies so the money that you spend on the e-reader will be made up in the money you save on books.

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4. Laptop

This one almost goes without saying. It’s near impossible to be a student these days without a laptop – they are great for note-taking, writing papers, editing media, and just surfing the web anywhere you want. Depending on your major, you might want to pick a computer that is capable of supporting what you do. If you just plan on using your laptop for writing papers and surfing the web, a Samsung Chromebook is a solid, cheap option for you.

However, if you are going to be doing more extensive video editing or downloading heftier software, something like a Mac or Samsung Notebook might be a better bet. There are a ton of resources out there to help you choose the right computer for your needs — do your research before buying one!

5. Headphones

Almost anywhere you go on campus, there will be people with headphones and earbuds on. Whether you’re walking between classes or studying in the library, headphones are an important part of your day. There are all kinds of headphones and earbuds to choose from at varying price points.

If you are someone who likes to listen to your music a lot throughout the day, maybe opt for a slightly more expensive pair that is likely to last longer and produce better sound. If you just use your headphones in your room, you might do fine with a cheaper pair. Take a look at your lifestyle to make the right choice!

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6. Smartphone apps

This one is less a physical electronic, but just as necessary. There are THOUSANDS of apps made specifically for college students for both academic and enjoyment purposes — and most of them free! Whether you need to brush up before your Spanish exam or try to balance your academics and your health, there’s an app for that!

There are even apps for your more uninhibited nights out. Thanks to our smartphones, you can have food delivered to your dorm and keep your homework schedule on track using the same device. It goes without saying that you will need a smartphone in order to use any of these apps. If you don’t have one already, there are a multitude of options to choose from.

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