What the Tech: Gadgets for college students

CHARLOTTE -Starting college or moving into a first apartment is a big moment. While students need the basics like notebooks, bedding, and coffee makers, a few smart tech gadgets can make life easier, more productive, and even more comfortable.

A laptop screen works fine for writing papers, but when students are switching between online classes, research tabs, and note-taking apps, it gets crowded quickly. That is where a portable monitor comes in. It connects to a laptop or even a smartphone to create a second screen. Some newer models, like the ViewSonic VX1655, connect through Bluetooth and do not need any wires. It is something most students never think about until they try it.

Modern laptops are thinner and lighter than ever, but most of them only have one or two USB-C ports. Many do not include SD card slots at all. A compact USB-C hub gives students extra ports for a mouse, external drive, printer, or monitor. It is small enough to fit in a backpack and instantly improves any workspace.

Dorm rooms are rarely quiet. Between video games, music, and people coming and going, it can be hard to focus. Over-the-ear headphones with active noise canceling help block out distractions during study sessions or online classes. Some models include built-in microphones for Zoom calls and are designed to stay comfortable for hours at a time.

If one roommate is sleeping and the other is studying, a good desk lamp is a must. Lamps like the Lume Cube Edge Light offer adjustable brightness and color temperature, which helps reduce eye strain. The head can also rotate, which makes it useful for lighting video calls too.

Students should always have a way to back up important assignments and projects. A portable hard drive or flash drive makes that easy. These small devices are also useful for sharing large files with classmates or printing documents at the library. Some flash drives, like the Kingston IronKey, offer password protection to keep files safe if the drive gets lost.

These gadgets are not just helpful. They give students tools to stay organized, focused, and in control. With the right tech, even a small dorm room can feel like a productive and comfortable place to live and learn.