| Going back to college can be difficult. Endless | | | | picture frames, clocks, speakers, shoes, laser |
| studying, essays, and long lectures can be a | | | | pointers, flashlights, toilet paper holders, jeans, and |
| herculean task to some. Luckily, there is a wide range | | | | many more. If you have an mp3 player, take a look |
| of devices and gadgets empowering today's college | | | | at the crazy gadgets out there for mp3 players. |
| students to make the most of their college | | | | 7. Digital Recorders/Microphones: A good device for |
| education. | | | | both dedicated and lazy students. A good recorder |
| 1. Cell Phone: Cell phones are incredibly popular, easily | | | | can help students record lectures so they can |
| being the primary phones of most college students. | | | | improve their study habits and never miss important |
| There are several kinds of cellphones, ones that | | | | information given my an instructor. Microphones are |
| function as mobile phones, and others commonly | | | | also sold that can turn a laptop or cell phone into a |
| referred to as smart phones. These phones can be | | | | powerful recording device as well. |
| used to check e-mail, browse the internet, and a | | | | 8. Portable Wi-Fi: Many classrooms and auditoriums |
| variety of other functions. Cell phones have a variety | | | | are wi-fi dead zones, making connecting to the |
| of gadgets attached to them, from keyboards to | | | | internet impossible. However, there are mobile |
| wireless headsets. | | | | devices that connect to the internet via cell phone |
| 2. Camera: Most cell phones have cameras, but the | | | | towers, turning some of these dead zones into |
| majority of them are inferior when compared to an | | | | personal wi-fi hot spots. They are a bit on the |
| actual camera. Cameras today can take video, can | | | | expensive side and don't work with all cell phone |
| connect directly to a computer, and can automatically | | | | carriers, but can prove invaluable for managing e-mails |
| correct and improve pictures. You never know when | | | | and keeping abreast on changes in other classes. |
| a class project might find you wanting to take a few | | | | 9. Crazy Clocks: Waking up can be very difficult for |
| pictures to spruce up a project. | | | | college students, especially those with early classes. |
| 3. Noise-canceling headphones: Headphones are | | | | To help students wake up, there are a wide variety |
| important for listening to music, or audio from a | | | | of clocks out there. Some basic ones will turn on the |
| computer while on campus. Noise-canceling | | | | radio or play music, some light up very brightly to |
| headphones are great for studying at home, not only | | | | rouse sleepers, and others will literally jump off |
| do they let you listen in private, they prevent other | | | | nightstands onto sleepers and run around the room |
| noises from distracting you from your work. A must | | | | blaring noises forcing the student to get up and |
| for people taking online courses in busy households. | | | | chase it to turn off the noise. |
| 4. Webcam: Webcams allow for video chats and | | | | 10. Digital Note Takers: These are the ultimate audio |
| video conferencing. This is useful for communicating | | | | recorders. These are special hi-tech pens and paper |
| with classmates as well as with friends and family if | | | | that link up to your computer. The pen acts as an |
| you've had to move away for college. Many | | | | audio recorder, and the student takes notes on the |
| computers come with integrated webcams now, | | | | special paper. The remarkable thing about these |
| check and see if you have one. | | | | devices is that the audio and notes sink up, allowing |
| 5. E-book reader: Books are heavy, fact. A backpack | | | | the student to hear what a professor was saying |
| full of books can make walking to class equivalent to | | | | when they took specific notes, or make quick marks |
| hard labor. E-books are the answers, these small | | | | to signal important parts of a lecture. |
| portable readers are small and light, with an | | | | Gadgets won't guarantee that a student will succeed |
| ever-increasing library of books. Many textbooks are | | | | when they go back to college. However, they can |
| available in digital format, and at much lower prices. | | | | certainly help a dedicated student and can greatly |
| 6. MP3 gadgets: There is a vast multitude of devices | | | | assist in a college education. |
| that an mp3 player can plug into: lamps, arm bands, | | | | |