Electronics for the College Student

Y our student is about to leave for college and electronics is on his mind. What do you purchase? What do you send? What is overkill or redundant? This list of technology items from college will help you sort your child's needs from unnecessary longings.

Cell Phone: Keep your college student on your cell phone plan. It is far cheaper for them to be on your plan instead of them getting a separate plan of their own. Plus, modern cell phones have many functions that will eliminate the need for other electronic items they may need.

Calculator: Unless they are a math major, their high school calculator will serve them just fine. They will also very likely have a cell phone calculator.

Alarm Clock: Something annoying will do. There are some that will roll off the desk your kid will have to get out of bed to find it and turn it off. Of course, if their cell phone has an alarm clock, you can introduce them to the alarm app.

Music: Most high school students already have an MP3 player. A dock with speakers will help amplify the alarm application and take care of overnight charging. At most, your student could use and arm band and new earphones for their existing music players.

Camera: Unless your student is taking art and/or photography, they can click photos on their cell phones. The same goes for video cameras. Unless there is a specific need, the cell phone will do an adequate job.

Voice recorder: If your student like to record lectures, a voice recorder can be useful. Just be aware that their cell phone or laptop may have that feature, so buying another one can be redundant.

Television: This depends on the students. Some students claim they never touched their televisions Freshman year. Others needed them because their TV watching tastes differed from people in the rest of the dorm. It would be wise to check with roommates to see if someone else is bringing one and are willing to share. But, if they drop out, you are on your own. While many colleges are now equipped with free cable, students may prefer to watch their favorite shows online with services like Hulu.

Electric cords. Try not to use long extension cords. They may not even be allowed. What you do need is a good power surge protector or two.

Computers: Check with the college before buying a computer. Many students like to get a new computer for graduation only to find out that the college has included one in the price of tuition, plus it is loaded with specific software. Some students may still want their own personal computer for gaming and entertainment though. I suggest upgrading their current computer if that is the case.

Computer Equipment: Jump drives are always a good idea though because they are very handy. Also, some colleges like SCAD for instance has students purchase external hard-drives only as they plenty of equipment.

Tablets: The same goes for tablets like the iPad and Kindle. A family friend now has two iPads, because the college assigns one to the student.

Printers: You may or may not have noticed that you pay a printing fee along with tuition. Find out what many pages a student is allowed a semester. It may exceed your students normal use. Sure having a personal printer on hand is convenient, but it won't kill them to walk down the hall or to the computer lab to print their papers.

Anything beyond these items borders on frivolous. Don't feel guilted into buying a flat screen TV and surround sound. If they already have them at home, and don't mind hauling them back and forth, then that's their choice.