College and computers: Four tips that every student should follow

By Alvaro Licea, Jr.

College today is more technologically advanced than it has ever been. Having a computer, whether it be a PC or Mac, doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll succeed in college, but it does make life easier. Of course, when buying a computer to solve some problems, other problems are created in the process. Here are some things you should consider doing when you’re on your computer.

 1)  Save your work and KEEP TRACK OF IT

“I have it done, but I can’t find it” is probably the most common excuse a professor hears, and  it will certainly not change his or her mind about how they’re going to fail the crap out of you. Save your work and keep it under logically-named folders (“homework”  isn’t a logical name when you’re taking three classes a quarter, Genius). There is an easy way of saving your work without even having to use your touchpad or mouse. Punching in “Ctrl + S” on your keyboard saves your work automatically. If it hasn’t been saved before, it will prompt you to save it somewhere. See how easy that was? Now, make sure you keep pressing “Ctrl + S” every few minutes so that, in case of an emergency, you already have it saved.

2) Have easily-accessible email(s)

“LOL, but I already gots an email, durrrrr.” Having to open up your browser to type “www.hotmail.com” and then input your username and password isn’t easily accessible. You should be able to check your email just as fast as you check your text messages on your new iPhone or android. This will help you keep in touch with your classes and with your professors. If someone emails you, you will be able to respond immediately.  This can be done by having an email client such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird (The email app on Mac counts, as well) so that you can check messages instantly by double clicking. The difference in seconds is considerable. In addition to being fast and reliable, email clients are usually free.

3) Keep PC gaming at a minimum

You’re in college to study your a– off in order to get a degree and land the career  that you’ve always dreamed of, not to become a professional League of Legends player. Limit your PC gaming to about two hours, every two days. This will give you enough time to kill some dragons in Skyrim and still finish your homework in time for your next class. I might be sounding like your mother right now, but this is the truth. There are many people who get addicted to games their freshman year and end up failing classes and even dropping out just to live with their parents and play all day. So remember, keep games at a minimum and only take your “Sex-Box” or “Pee Ehs Three” to college if you want your roommates to play games with you, as well. Otherwise, just bring your own games and use your roommate’s console.

4) Take advantage of the software your school offers you
In college, nothing is more precious than free things whether it be food, bracelets or downloadable content. Take advantage of anything your college gives you for free because, for the most part, it will be useful later on in the future. That means you should get anything free that is posted on your school website such as Windows 7 update(s) and/or Microsoft Office. If you don’t have Microsoft Office by the time you finish reading this, you either live in the stone age or are a college masochist. Microsoft Office is probably the number one thing you should have on your computer (this means that it is more important than PC games, you virgin) in order to do well in college.