We can’t deny it any longer. The fall semester is almost upon us. If you're getting ready to go to the University of Illinois or Parkland College, what tech do you need to be successful and have a great time?
Let’s start with what you don’t need. You don’t need a super new or fancy computer. You can’t run XP or anything crazy like that. But for the most part, anything relatively new will do. Your University department may have specific recommendations for you.
In fact, you don’t even need to bring your own computer. There are plenty of computer labs in the residence halls and around campus at the University, and at Parkland's library, that provide free machinery for students to use.
Alright, so what do you need? You definitely need help. It would be awesome to have a mobile device of some sort. And if you want to have the most amazing time at college, you should have a gaming console.
Everyone needs tech help. Seriously, I used to work at a help desk. People with Ph.D.'s in neuroscience need help turning on computers. It's just a fact of life.
Thankfully, both the University and Parkland have help desks. (Technology Services at Illinois, the centralized tech service center at the University, even prepared a new student resource guide to give students a sense of the help and resources available.) Best part? Tech help is free.
Mobile is the future. You don't need a mobile device, of course. But having one certainly makes life easier. There are apps for seemingly everything, and school is no exception.
mobile.illinois.edu, a mobile hub at the University, showcases apps built either for the University community or by the University community (and often it's both). Go there and get apps to help you move in to your dorm or find a great place to study on campus.
Why play when you can build? Actually, why choose at all; play and build!
What other tech is crucial for college life?