Essential tech you need for college is an important topic.

There are many items that your teen will need when they get to college, but a few of the most important items are the tech that will be necessary. This post breaks down the five essential tech items you need for college. Without these items, college is pretty impossible these days!

As your freshman heads off to school, there are a few essential tech items they will need FOR SURE!

I will break down what these are and why they are so necessary for college in the post below. My sons and their friends helped me come up with these most important five items! *This post may contain affiliate links. My full disclosure policy is here.

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What are the essential tech you need for college?

Power brick -Portable chargers are so handy! If your teen can remember to keep this thing charged, then they can keep it in their backpack to carry along with them in class for their laptop, phone or whatever. (See post about what to carry in a college backpack)

Headphones -There are so many options for this. Wired, wireless, earbuds, sound silencer, the list is endless. Make sure that your teen has a set that will work for them. My sons both have wired and earbuds. They use them for different things.

Some are really inexpensive and others are really pricey. With a lot of online classes now, the wired might be a good choice besides the earbuds. Here is a little gadget to stand a cell phone or e-reader on for convenience, not tech, but great for devices!

If my sources had to pick, this was what they felt like was the most important “essential tech items you need for college…”

A laptop, “… give(s) students the flexibility and freedom they need to work on academic assignments anytime, anywhere,’ this is according to the University of Toledo. Even with computer labs on campuses, the likelihood of a desktop computer being available when your student needs one, is iffy. I know that my boys both said that when they would walk past the computer labs at their different campuses, every computer was often occupied.

Check with the college before making purchasing college tech essentials.

Do not worry about this purchase before your teen gets to college. The school will help your teen adapt whichever computer they have to the college’s system. What is most important is to have a new or newish computer that will last for four years, and always make sure to take advantage of student deals! I know in our state we have a tax free weekend in the spring which we have taken advantage of twice now!

Price on laptops can vary by a large amount. The price can be determined by the amount of bells and whistles, the brand and many other variables, so some research will be involved! Getting a refurbished computer is also a great option.

Here is an inexpensive choice. Here is a medium expensive choice. And, here is a more expensive choice.

External hard drive -This will give your student the peace of mind that they can back up any device and know that their information is stored. The model below is good for Mac, PC, PS4, and Xbox. Make sure that your student doesn’t leave home without this!

Watch -This is another one of those things that your teen will have to decide what kind they want. It is always good to have some sort of device to tell time besides a phone. There are apple or other smart watches. There are paracord watches. There are dressy or professional watches. There are basic watches.

Why only 5 items of essential tech you need for college?

It was really hard to limit this list to five “essential tech you need for college”, but I like a list that doesn’t overwhelm, so I kept it to five. There are so many more items your teen will need for college, but remember that if they are living in a dorm, the choices that you all make will need to be smart and space-efficient!

Be sure to check out my post about your teen turning 18, there are some really important things to know legally that you will want to go over with your teen!

Other related posts:

What does your teen need in their college backpack,

What will my freshman need in their dorm room,

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Ways to Keep Your Child Safe at College

Sexting and Your Teen: Get the Facts

Best Year Round Posts for Parenting Teens and Tweens: 50+ Titles

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