College life becomes a lot easier when you have the right tools. Juggling classes, assignments, and a social life can be tough, so I rely on a few tech essentials to keep me focused and organized.

1. My Go-To Tablet

As happens to most of us, I spend hours and hours on my laptop. I concluded that I needed a portable gadget that’s fast and good for multitasking. I started with the Apple iPad 10th Generation, and it turned out to be great for note-taking. Also, I can read and highlight content on PDFs and join Zoom classes. The best part is that the battery lasts all day, and I like that it’s light enough to carry everywhere.

This year, I switched to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. It has a large screen and comes with an S Pen, so I avoided buying a separate stylus. So far, I’m loving it.

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2. Smart Pens That Keep My Notes Organized

I handwrite my notes, but I hate losing pages or forgetting where I wrote something, which happens to me quite often. With the Neo Smartpen M1 Plus+, my notes appear in the app as I’m writing them on paper. It feels just like a regular pen, but I get a digital backup right away.

My roommate uses the Livescribe Echo 2, which records both the notes and audio from the lecture. I used it a couple of times and enjoyed it. It’s helpful if you want to go back and listen to the exact moment the professor explained something. Maybe it’s my next purchase.

3. Headphones to Focus in Loud Places

My dorm gets noisy, and sometimes, the library’s packed. That’s why I always carry noise-canceling headphones. My favorite ones — Bose QuietComfort Ultra — get amazing sound, and I can adjust EQ modes, which are a must during midterms.

Before getting these, I had the AirPods Max, which are perfect for switching between my iPad and iPhone. They’re a great option for Apple lovers.

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4. Smart Lighting to Wake Up and Wind Down

I never thought a light could change how I wake up, but the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light proved me wrong. Instead of my phone alarm jolting me out of bed, this light slowly brightens like a sunrise. It genuinely makes mornings less awful.

During winter months — when it’s still dark at 7 a.m. — it’s been a total game changer. I feel more alert in my morning classes and way less grumpy. I usually read or journal while the light dims, and it’s helped me fall asleep faster.

5. Planners That Keep Me From Forgetting Everything

I’ve tried so many productivity tools, but Motion is the one that actually works for me. It reminds me of tasks and rearranges them based on my available time. It’s like having a personal assistant who schedules my day automatically, which takes a lot of pressure off my brain.

A couple of months ago, I started using Notion — yes, almost the same name — for organizing everything else. It works for my class notes and reading lists, job apps, and even grocery lists. I organize it all in cool, stylish templates.

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6. Sleep Tech That Makes a Difference

When I’m stressed out — especially during midterms — I really struggle to fall asleep. The Oura Ring Gen3 gave me a better picture of what’s going on. It tracks my sleep cycles, temperature, and heart rate so I can tweak my routine to try and get better scores.

I chose the Horizon model, which honestly looks just like a regular ring. I'm super pleased with this purchase. The best part is it's waterproof — ideal for someone like me, who often forgets to take it off.

7. A Laptop

I use my laptop for literally everything — classes, readings, group projects, editing videos, and late-night YouTube spirals. I use the MacBook Pro with an M4 chip, which is perfect for me. It's fast and lightweight, and the battery actually lasts through my entire day. I’ve also used the Dell XPS 13 during my first internship — yes, I’m part of the 65% of college students with jobs — and it was super reliable.

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8. Blue Light Glasses I Wear Every Day

After spending hours glued to my laptop in the library, I often ended up with annoying headaches and tired eyes. A friend of mine was a big fan of blue-light glasses, so I decided to give the Tijn Blue Light Blocking Glasses a shot. They come in a lot of colors and are way cheaper than I thought they’d be. I chose the pink ones and now I put them on every time I’m reading on my tablet.

The screen keeps its color, which I liked. Plus, they’re cute and comfortable. I feel less drained after a long day, and it’s somehow easier for me to drift off to sleep after a late-night study session.

9. The Smart Watch That Keeps Me Going

I always thought smartwatches were mostly for fitness people, which kept me from being the ideal audience. Lately, I discovered it had a lot of great features I could use in daily life. I set it to remind me when to leave for class, drink water, or get up and stretch.

Doing so helps me stay focused when tackling lengthy assignments. I bought a budget-friendly watch — The Amazfit Bip 6 — which has been great for keeping me organized with both my studies and self-care.

The Gear That’s Made a Real Difference

College is stressful enough without tech problems or chaotic routines. Over time, I’ve figured out which devices and tools actually make my life easier, and which ones just sit around collecting dust. These picks have helped me stay focused during finals, sleep better when I’m overwhelmed, and even remember to drink water between classes.