Just the essentials: a technology checklist for your student son or daughter

(bythesea). Submitted on Mon, 6 Sep 2010

As your son or daughter prepares to take a big step and leave home for university, you'll want to make sure they're well prepared. There are a fair few pieces of technology that could be invaluable once they arrive on campus; here are just a few examples that are sure to be a big help:



Laptop

A laptop computer is a must for any student. The portable nature of laptops mean they're easy to carry around day-to-day, allowing your son or daughter to sit down and do some work as and when is convenient. One big advantage will be not having to wait for a workstation to become free within the university building, while a laptop will also be incredibly handy when it comes to taking efficient notes during lectures. And you don't need to break the bank, either - laptops at the lower end of the price scale are more than sufficient for basic tasks such as word processing, emailing and internet browsing.

USB key

Whether your son or daughter will be taking a laptop with them or not, a USB key will come in very handy indeed. These impressive pieces of technology are small enough to fit on a keyring and yet allow users to save huge amounts of data to them - handy if the student in question is going to be using different computers, such as the machines provided for general use by the university.

Microwave

If your son or daughter will be living in accommodation that doesn't provide a microwave then it's a great item to add to your pre-university shopping list. Basic microwaves aren't at all expensive and, best of all, offer a high degree of convenience when it comes to meal times. From defrosting frozen food to heating up a ready meal or cooking a quick jacket potato, a microwave will come in handy on a daily basis in a student household.

Mobile phone

Mobile phones are perfect for giving you peace of mind when your son or daughter leaves home to attend university. Knowing they have means in which to get in touch in an emergency will be a weight off your shoulders - and they won't have an excuse for not calling and keeping you updated with how they're getting on! If they've already got a mobile phone, make sure they're stocked up with credit.

iPod

Okay, so it's not strictly an essential - but an iPod is a lovely going away present for your son or daughter. They'll be able to carry their music collection around with them, making that walk into university all the more enjoyable. Other advantages include being able to download podcasts and listen on the go. iPods can also be used in conjunction with a dock, meaning that your son or daughter will be able to listen to music in their room without the need for headphones - or entertain their friends by setting it up in a shared living space.

 

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If you're going off to university, why not look into a brand new laptop and iPod Touch

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