by Jayme Richards
I’ll be honest: when I returned to school last year to pursue a master’s degree, it had been more than two decades since I was a student. My freshman year of college was the first time we had internet in our home – and yes, it was dial-up. As a student, I toted around stacks of thick textbooks, mailed in a paper FAFSA form each year, and research assignments required actual trips to the library (featuring microfiche!).
Things are so different now… and technology can be your friend or foe. While I still enjoy the weight of a book in my hands and taking notes with pen and paper, I’m finding some tools that make college so much easier this time around!
Audiobooks
Depending on the types of texts assigned, you may be able to find an audio version of your required readings! These are great to listen to while doing mindless tasks (driving, cleaning, yard work) and allow you to get two things done at once. I tend to retain information better when I hear it versus when I read it, so bonus points if you’re an audio learner!
PDFs and Digital Texts
More of my professors are assigning individual articles to read instead of entire textbooks. This is great because they’re usually free, but I hate reading long-format narratives on a screen. I get plenty of screentime at work, and these old eyes are tired! At the start of the semester, I send all the assigned PDFs to my local copy shop for printing and have them assembled together with a spiral binding. For less than $25, I have my own “textbook” that I can mark up and take wherever I go, giving me a break from the screen.
Grammarly
Yes, it is AI, but most faculty do not object to this helper tool that offers suggestions to make your writing clearer and more concise. There’s a free version, but a year-long subscription is reasonably priced if you want more features. The best part is that it can be used across platforms, from word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs, to your own email apps and internet browsers.
Google Drive
No more carrying around that floppy disk or thumb drive with your essay drafts on it! Cloud software like Google allows you to gather digital resources in one place and work on your assignments from anywhere. It’s a dream come true when it’s time for collaborative group projects!
Just about any administrative task related to your education can be done online, from applying for financial aid and paying for tuition, to submitting petitions and meeting with an advisor. For institutions of higher education, the pandemic necessitated a shift to digital tools and processes, which can make many tasks easier and more efficient. It can be a lot to navigate, and there are still real live student service professionals ready to support when you need it, but so much can be done without a trip to campus.
Of course, there is a fine boundary with the use of artificial intelligence and academic integrity that faculty and students are figuring out in real time, so tune in to those discussions when you can. But don’t shy away from some tech helpers that can ultimately save you time, energy, and money!
