Tech Connection
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Set for success
Quality tech gear can help your college-bound student make the most of higher education
by Christine Persaud
Even though it feels like summer just began, it’s already time to start thinking about back to school. If you will be sending your child off to college or university, sending them with quality tech tools can help them succeed.
The powerhouse
A laptop is a key piece of gear. It should have a sizable high definition screen while being lightweight and easy to carry all day. A two-in-one touchscreen model that flips into tablet mode for taking notes may be useful. The computer should have at least 8GB of RAM for multitasking, and at least 128GB of storage for files, apps, software and more. All-day battery life is important, too. A set of wireless noise-canceling headphones can make focusing while studying much easier for many students.
Don’t ignore hard copies
An all-in-one printer that can copy and scan can help by providing printed backups, and comes in handy when reviewing hard copy reports, making handouts and even sharing scanned handwritten notes for group projects. The best option is a refillable ink printer that comes with up to a two-year supply of ink.
Speaker of the house
Help your student get to class on time by investing in a smart speaker that can double as an alarm clock and can be set with reminders of class schedules and assignment deadlines. It can even help with research through voice-activated queries.
Smart wearables
Add a fitness tracker or smartwatch to your student’s toolkit and they can keep on top of schedules right from their wrist. Some also monitor health and wellness stats, like stress levels, heart rate and sleep. Many wearables offer mindfulness and breathing exercises, too, which can be useful for students who manage heavy workloads.
A way to unwind
Everyone needs downtime, even students. With a small TV and a streaming stick (and an appropriate service subscription), your student can watch TV shows, movies, sporting events and more when they need to unwind.
Properly equipping your student with good tech gear is a key step to setting them up for success.
Many ways to learn
College students can benefit from digital learning, whether that means accessing some course materials online or signing up for online courses.
In 2016, 81% of college students said digital learning technology helped them improve their grades, according to Statista.
Face-to-face instruction is important, but students also need the right tools to facilitate learning from anywhere and to encourage a healthy school-life balance that makes room for downtime.—CP
John Thomson
Christine Persaud is a Toronto-based freelance writer. Her work has appeared in Digital Trends, Reviewed-USA Today, XDA,Android Central and at Wifihifi.com.
Costco Connection: You’ll find a selection of computers, tablets, smart speakers, mobile phones, wearables, televisions and a host of other school-related supplies in your local Costco warehouse and at Costco.com.
