Graduating high school sparks the beginning of an exciting era in young adulthood, many teens will look forward to their college adventures away from home for the first time. Your freshman will surely discover a completely new way of living. Many college freshmen will for the first time experience living on their own, financial responsibility and overall independence, coupled with an intensive academic workload.
There is a lot to consider as your teen prepares to move out on their own and anxious parents will appreciate our buying guide to get them up and running as quickly as possible. With this top tech gear, your teen will thrive in no time.
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1: Tablet
iPad 2
Students today have access to a number of gadgets that make schoolwork easier and more convenient. Tablets are becoming more and more popular among students. Acting as a compact computer, that have with many of the same tools as computers as well a number of other features, tablets are very useful to students on the go. The sleek design, compact size and light weight make tablets the most accessible tech gadget to carry everywhere with a big enough screen to comfortably work and enjoy fun entertaining media. Tablets are also available at great prices, giving them an advantage over many computers. Although, a tablet will not be able to completely replace a computer, it is very useful and adaptable to most uses. The iPad 2, for example, has unparalleled convenience, style and the capability to work, read and research. It has an incredible entertainment value with games, videos and other features that will provide a much needed break from studies as well. Tablets are simply a must have and the iPad 2 is the best of the best, including the best value.
2: Laptop
HP Compaq 6730b
College requires hours on end of writing and research. This makes easy access to a computer essential for students who need to avoid the worry and hassle of endless trips to the computer lab at all hours of the day or night. And, for students constantly on the go, the only sensible solution is a lightweight but durable laptop. A laptop will allow your college freshman to work from anywhere, and most are compact enough that it is not a workout to carry around campus. The HP Compaq 670b is among the best small laptops available with quick internet access through its Wi-Fi capabilities and 2GB of storage. A laptop will give your student an advantage with a fast and simple way to take notes, record lectures, complete research and relax with their favorite songs, all at their fingertips. Laptops are unquestionably a necessity in college and the HP Compaq 6730b will give you the confidence that your fledgling student will have all the best tools for success.
3: Compact Refrigerator
GE Spacemaker GMR06AAPBB Compact Refrigerator
As a freshman in college, your student will find themselves under new and even stressful situations and long study sessions may leave them without sustenance for hours on end. Luckily, with the GE Spacemaker Compact Refrigerator, worried moms everywhere can ensure the peanut butter and jelly and pint of mint chocolate chip will be at arm’s length to sustain their hungry children any time they need a boost. With 6 cubic feet of space, the GE Spacemaker is functional and affordable so your studious co-ed can stay in and study as long as they need, but still have something for quick energy.
4: Spy Camera
MD90 Mini DV
Moving away from home and into a dorm, your college freshman will most likely run in to some interesting roommates. Most students will not have a choice of roomies and moving in with strangers can be stressful and problematic. Your freshman may take comfort with a spy camera keeping an eye on this while they are away. A spy camera is a unique and innovative way to give your child a sense of security in a new and sometimes disconcerting environment and spy cameras like the MD90 Mini DV provide an easy and discrete way to watch out for issues without taking up a lot of room for equipment.
5: Computer Monitoring Software
SpytechSpyAgent
Students will rely on their computers throughout their college education. It is important to know who is using your college freshman’s computer and what is being downloading on it. The last thing any student wants is to have their computer infiltrated by a virus and lose that final research paper the night before it is due. Or worse, have personal information stolen and have life-altering issues to deal with. Computer monitoring software, like SpytechSpyAgent, is a practical way to save your student untold worry and hassle. The software is able to scan for any problems on the computer and will also monitor internet access and make sure that site visits will not expose the computer to viruses. Just because your student tells their roommates not to use the computer, doesn’t mean they will listen. SpytechSpyAgent computer monitoring software is a smart and easy way to keep your student’s information and computer safe.
6: Writing Enchantment Software
WhiteSmoke
As your freshman moves into their junior and senior years, teachers will expect papers to be longer and better written. With such value placed on writing in college, writing enchantment software, like WhiteSmoke, will give your student one more tool for success. It will also help improve grammar and other writing skills that they will rely on throughout their life. The software also offers great editing tools that can follow the specific style guides, including MLA or APA. Every parent wants to give their child every advantage that will improve their student’s skills and grades and WhiteSmoke will help you do both.
7: Gaming Gift Card
OffGamers
In this day and age, it is almost guaranteed that your student has a gaming system or at least one that is available to them. Every college student needs a break from schoolwork and video games are a fun way to relieve stress while increasing hand-eye coordination, and provide a great way to socialize without going out and spending money. With the many options available for the number of gaming systems, it can be hard to get exactly what your student wants to enhance their gaming experience. Make it easy for yourself and get them a gaming gift card. OffGamers offers a fast and simple way to give gaming credits that you can trade in on their website for games and other features for gaming systems. A gaming gift card will give your student an easy way to get those new and exciting games and give them a much needed break.
8: Discount Ink
4inkjets
Whether it is a paper, project, visual aids or articles students use a lot of ink and ink is expensive, especially when used regularly. Fortunately, there are a number of options available to get discounted ink. Having an account with a site like 4inkjets will make it easy to save money on ink. Discounted ink with 4inkjets will allow your student to use a personal printer without any worry about the cost and with the added convenience of having it delivered right to their dorm.
9: Textbook Site
Chegg
Textbooks are a boring, ‘grown-up’ expense that college students have to learn to accept as part of their education. The costs for textbooks add up quickly and finding good deals can be difficult. Many college bookstores offer used copies of textbooks for less, but they go fast. Take the stress and some of the expense out of buying textbooks by going online where you will discover a fast and easy way to get textbooks at great prices. Renting is also a great alternative and your freshman may want to consider renting textbooks from Chegg. It’s a fantastic way to save money and space in a congested dorm room, eliminating the stack of obsolete textbooks-turned-coasters, table levels and bug-squashers. Instead, that pile of useless books will be returned to Chegg and cashed in for future textbook-buying fun.
10: Deal of the Day Site
Steep and Cheap
Help your ‘starving student’ manage their newfound financial freedom and responsibilities with an easy and effective Deal of the Day Site. Having an account with Steep and Cheap will help your student manage money and it's a great way to find deal on the things that every student needs. Steep and Cheap offers brand-name goods for great prices, allowing even poor college students to afford the products available. Deal of the day sites can also offer great deals on activities, allowing your freshman to be social without spending too much money.