As the school year approaches and summer comes to a close, it’s time for college students to figure out what to pack given the confines of their dorm rooms. There are countless products – from school materials to dorm room essentials – that first-year students don’t consider packing. Skip the hard way and come to school prepared this year!
School TechÂ
My can’t-live-without school product in college is undoubtedly my iPad and Apple Pencil. A study published in Psychological Science found taking handwritten notes is more effective for improving learning and retention as well as reviewing than typing. I can’t even fathom how many notebooks and sheets of paper I would have used up if I handwrote all my notes on paper. It proves incredibly useful for visual learners or those in math-heavy courses because you can write out problems and diagrams. A tablet and connected pencil are undoubtedly essential for all students.Â
Dorm Tech
The last thing a college student wants to do after a long day at school is clean their room. Skip the hassle and opt for a robot vacuum. It’s shocking how quickly dorm rooms get messy, particularly apartment-style housing with kitchens. The Roborock S4 Max is one of the most affordable robot vacuums that memorize the layouts of your home – or dorm.Â
Making a dorm room personal and relaxing comes down to more than the way it looks but also the way it sounds. Levitin’s book This is Your Brain on Music provides extensive evidence that listening to music reduces the stress hormone cortisol and even boosts the immune system’s effectiveness. JBL Flip 6 is a no-frills portable speaker. The flip has a 12-hour battery life and its water and dust resistance makes it very durable. Speakers also facilitate an inviting space for hangouts. New students, play music, leave that dorm door open the first week, and see friends roll in.Â
All Around Essential Tech
I can’t begin to stress the importance of noise-canceling headphones in college. You’d be surprised how loud the “no-talking”, “quiet zone” sections of the library are. Headphones come in handy for listening to music in the gym or working in your dorm room without being bothered – or bothering – your roommate. Sony’s WH-1000MX4 Wireless headphones have a battery life of 37 hours and multi-device pairing. 1MORE EVO remains a sound option for those who don’t want the heft of a large headset. Both EVO and Sony Headphones provide an app, so you can personalize your listening experience.Â
I’ve experienced countless situations where I’ve arrived at the library only to see that my computer is dead and I forgot my charger. That’s why I always recommend keeping a portable charger with cables for your smartphone and computer in your bag. The HyperJuice 18W USB-C + Lightening Battery Pack, equipped with integrated 18W USB-C and lightning cables, removes the fuss of packings cables for your charger.Â
Technology changed the education landscape to produce a generation energized to learn, but technology also makes your life simpler. A feat that college students should take advantage of, so they can live their next four years to the fullest.
