If you’re about to enter college, you’re probably already well-versed in technology. You have an iPod or other mp3 player, a cell phone, a computer (or two), and probably a number of other gadgets that you use on a daily or regular basis. But as you get ready to pack everything in your life away and head off to college, you might be wondering which of these technological tools you actually need and which you can go without †and you might also be wondering if there’s technology out there that you need and don’t yet have. Here’s the lowdown on the technology that college students need these days. First and foremost, let’s take a look at the personal computer. You almost definitely don’t need a desktop computer. There will be plenty of those on campus, probably more up-to-date than the one you’ve got in your room at Mom and Dad’s house anyway. They’re heavy and annoying to move and completely unnecessary. But you’re probably going to want your own computer so you’ll need a laptop. Is it a necessity? No, your campus will have plenty of access to computers. But it’s something that most college students find to make life easier. It’s good for entertainment (movies, music) and socializing (via IM and email) and research and is more convenient than having to go to the campus library or tech lab. Having a computer means that you’re going to need to have software for your computer. As a college student, you can probably get away with just the basics. A computer that has Word and perhaps a spreadsheet program should be good enough for you. But college years are a time when you’re going to be learning a lot about budgeting and other finances so you might also want to consider some sort of financial software. Your mp3 player or other digital music technology. Whether or not you need this technology as a college student is entirely up to your personal preferences. Some college students feel that music is their life. It’s how they relax. So they’ll want to have that with them when they’re in school. Others couldn’t care less about getting something like an iPod. If you’re already living without one, you probably don’t need one. A PDA. Many college students are concerned that they need to get a PDA or other electronic organizer in order to keep on track with their work in school. For some students, this might be a good investment but it’s not a necessity for college. A standard, old school, paper-based planner works just as well as a PDA and is a lot less costly. Your cell phone and its plan. You almost definitely need a cell phone these days. It’s how you’ll communicate with the folks back home; it’s a safety issue. And you probably already have one, so why would you get rid of it? You wouldn’t. But you might want to take a look at your plan and see if it’s the right one. If you’re currently on a family plan, you might not be able to stay on it when you go away to college. Make sure that whatever plan you choose allows you the number of minutes and messages that you need to stick within a reasonable monthly price range. If you don’t already have a phone, get one that has a reasonable contract and which is affordable, even if it’s not the most flashy.
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