Top Ten Gadgets for Going Back To College

Going back to college can be difficult. Endless studying, essays, and long lectures can be a herculean task to some. Luckily, there is a wide range of devices and gadgets empowering today's college students to make the most of their college education.

1. Cell Phone: Cell phones are incredibly popular, easily being the primary phones of most college students. There are several kinds of cellphones, ones that function as mobile phones, and others commonly referred to as smart phones. These phones can be used to check e-mail, browse the internet, and a variety of other functions. Cell phones have a variety of gadgets attached to them, from keyboards to wireless headsets.

2. Camera: Most cell phones have cameras, but the majority of them are inferior when compared to an actual camera. Cameras today can take video, can connect directly to a computer, and can automatically correct and improve pictures. You never know when a class project might find you wanting to take a few pictures to spruce up a project.

3. Noise-canceling headphones: Headphones are important for listening to music, or audio from a computer while on campus. Noise-canceling headphones are great for studying at home, not only do they let you listen in private, they prevent other noises from distracting you from your work. A must for people taking online courses in busy households.

4. Webcam: Webcams allow for video chats and video conferencing. This is useful for communicating with classmates as well as with friends and family if you've had to move away for college. Many computers come with integrated webcams now, check and see if you have one.

5. E-book reader: Books are heavy, fact. A backpack full of books can make walking to class equivalent to hard labor. E-books are the answers, these small portable readers are small and light, with an ever-increasing library of books. Many textbooks are available in digital format, and at much lower prices.

6. MP3 gadgets: There is a vast multitude of devices that an mp3 player can plug into: lamps, arm bands, picture frames, clocks, speakers, shoes, laser pointers, flashlights, toilet paper holders, jeans, and many more. If you have an mp3 player, take a look at the crazy gadgets out there for mp3 players.

7. Digital Recorders/Microphones: A good device for both dedicated and lazy students. A good recorder can help students record lectures so they can improve their study habits and never miss important information given my an instructor. Microphones are also sold that can turn a laptop or cell phone into a powerful recording device as well.

8. Portable Wi-Fi: Many classrooms and auditoriums are wi-fi dead zones, making connecting to the internet impossible. However, there are mobile devices that connect to the internet via cell phone towers, turning some of these dead zones into personal wi-fi hot spots. They are a bit on the expensive side and don't work with all cell phone carriers, but can prove invaluable for managing e-mails and keeping abreast on changes in other classes.

9. Crazy Clocks: Waking up can be very difficult for college students, especially those with early classes. To help students wake up, there are a wide variety of clocks out there. Some basic ones will turn on the radio or play music, some light up very brightly to rouse sleepers, and others will literally jump off nightstands onto sleepers and run around the room blaring noises forcing the student to get up and chase it to turn off the noise.

10. Digital Note Takers: These are the ultimate audio recorders. These are special hi-tech pens and paper that link up to your computer. The pen acts as an audio recorder, and the student takes notes on the special paper. The remarkable thing about these devices is that the audio and notes sink up, allowing the student to hear what a professor was saying when they took specific notes, or make quick marks to signal important parts of a lecture.

Gadgets won't guarantee that a student will succeed when they go back to college. However, they can certainly help a dedicated student and can greatly assist in a college education.