Online classes are quite a change for students that are used to meeting face-to-face with their professors and classmates. When working from home, it might be harder for you to sit down and focus if you are surrounded by loud siblings, attention-needy pets and parents working from home. How can you possibly succeed in your classes when you don’t know the best ways to get work done in your house? First things first, you’re going to have to plan out a designated spot to take your online classes. Have a desk in your room? How about an office or a finished basement? Pick your favorite study spot, clear it off and get organizing. Taking your classes from the comfort of your bed might seem nice, but overall, it’s unproductive. Routine is key when staying at home, so get up, get out of bed, and act as if you’re away at school! Below I’ve put together the best gadgets and tech to help you survive your online classes, take a look.
Almost all online classes will provide a voice recording of the professor going over assignments or instructions. Your whole house does not need to hear your online class, so a trusty set of headphones will keep your class to your ears only. Apple AirPods cost $159 for both AirPods and the charging case. They connect to your devices through Bluetooth, so you don’t have to worry about tangling wires or staying connected to your laptop or phone. Feel free to walk around the house, while listening to your lecture, that is if you don’t need to take notes.
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Many universities use Skype or Zoom for online classes. These are online classes that allow you to video chat with your professor and classmates. Some professors require to have your camera and microphone on, so having a laptop with a webcam and mic already installed is super convenient. Apple Macbook’s are so fast and great for college students. Besides their ability to easily Zoom or Skype call, the laptop comes with many useful applications, my favorite being Stickies. Stickies are virtual Post-It notes, so you can keep track of all your assignments and reminders right on your desktop screen.
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A wireless mouse could be your new favorite addition to your desk. They’re so cheap, ranging between $10 and $20. Sometimes, using your trackpad on a laptop can be a total pain. How do you even right or left click using one of those? Simply, you don’t, you buy a wireless mouse. They connect to your laptop using Bluetooth, making the set up quick and easy. Do keep in mind when ordering one of these is that you do need two AA batteries for setup. Each mouse fits comfortably in either your right or left hand, so no matter which your dominant hand is, this will work for you!
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These are so necessary for your makeshift workspace. Between old papers, notebooks, and textbooks, your desk is going to feel way too cluttered. Take control of your work! Desktop organizers keep you sane and focused on what’s due first. With a mini bookshelf, you can store all your textbooks, reading books, or old notebooks. Store a basket on one of the shelves filled with chargers and other appliances. For the top, and the easiest reach, place a jar of pencils, pens and other utensils needed in your workspace. Staying organized has never been this easy.
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These are the most convenient gadgets to have on your desk. A pack of four costs only $10, and it will be the best $10 you’ve ever spent. These Cable Catches stick right on to any smooth surface. They’ll keep your cords from slipping off the side of your desk as well as keeping them untangled. These work for any cables ranging from small to medium in width. The days of scrambling for your chargers are long gone. Keep your phone, laptop, and tablet charged easier than ever thanks to these Cable Catches!
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Charging stations keep your tech charged and in place. These are perfect to place in the corner of your desk. For only $25 you can charge your AirPods, iPhone, and Apple Watch. Chose your favorite with options for dark grey, navy or cream. Keep in mind that you do need all the necessary cables to charge your devices. You run each cable through the back of the station, while it keeps them in place.
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Staring at your laptop or phone screen all day long is never healthy, but in times like this, you really can’t avoid it. Blue light blocking glasses are a must-have while taking online classes. By wearing these glasses in front of your screen, you are protecting your eyes while preventing eye strain. The more time you spend in front of a screen without protection, the more problems you will run into down the road. With long days spent on your laptop, protect your eyes with a pair of blue light blocking glasses.
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Amazon Echo Dot’s will help keep you on track. “Alexa, set a reminder for 2 pm.” Working from home can cause you a lot of chaos and stress, causing you to miss assignments and online classes. Set Alexa to remind you when you have a virtual meeting, when you have assignments due, or even to tell you to get out of bed! You can also leave her on your desk and ask her questions that you don’t want to Google yourself. She’s your new quarantine-BFF.
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For a more traditional way of setting reminders, hang a large wall calendar right above your new at-home workspace. You’re able to write in when assignments are due, when you have exams scheduled or any other tasks you might forget. Stay on track this semester and do your best work yet. The best part about these calendars is that they’re either whiteboard or chalkboard, allowing you to adjust them whenever you need to.
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We all need a little caffeine to get us through our day. Since you don’t have access to your campus Starbucks, you’re going to need one of these bad boys to get you through your day. Keurig’s coffee makers are so easy to use and brew you a delicious cup of coffee, fast. So wake up, grab a cup of joe and head to your desk to tackle your classes for the day.
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