10 essential gadgets for students

Showing you some of the gadgets college and university students really shouldn't live without.

By Zack Whittaker, Contributor July 24, 2008 at 8:37 p.m. PT

1 of 10 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

Sure, a laptop and cellphone are obvious choices. But after talking with many friends from around the world who are involved in technology and study at the same time, I picked a total of 10 gadgets that belong in every student's toolkit.

When the Clocky Rolling Alarm Clock goes off, it spins and rolls off and starts running around your room until it's turned off.

See Zack Whittaker's blog for more on essential gadgets for students.

Image credit:
http://www.uberreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/clocky-alarm-clock.jpg

2 of 10 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

The ability to work anywhere is an essential part of student life. Leave the desktop at home. You need a laptop.

Image credit:
http://blog.thedebianuser.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/3epc_vs_laptop.jpeg

3 of 10 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

Having music to calmly ease you through a long night of studying or research will not only calm you, but enhance concentration.

Image credit:
http://www.turbogadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/cubisto2gb_mainlarge.jpg

4 of 10 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

Having a few of these and backing up to a main disk lets you keep your entire project in your pocket.

Image credit:
http://www.voodish.co.uk/articles/v-content/uploads/2007/06/cram-that-in-there-usb-stylee.jpg

5 of 10 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

Facebook seems to have taken over the social side of things, with their revolutionary platform, but you still can’t beat a good old fashioned phone.

Image credit:
http://www.norisberghen.it/it/wp-content/it-it-wp-udloads/2007/12/nokia-01-e61-2.jpg

6 of 10 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

I recommend Kensington's Wifi Finder Plus. This handy little device picks up wireless signal, 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth networks, allowing you to know where you can connect to your campus network.

Image credit:
http://www.pocketfreak.dk/anmeldelser/kensingtonplus/prodpic.jpg

7 of 10 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

Having a book scanner can save you so much money in photocopying costs over the course of a year.

Image credit:
http://www.aatechpro.com/images/Infoscan3litecloseup.JPG

8 of 10 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

Most university lecturers podcast their lectures nowadays, but for the occasion that they don’t, pop the dictaphone on your desk and allow yourself to listen back to the lectures at a later date.

9 of 10 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

The times you will want to study will automatically be the same time someone wants to throw a party.

Probably not a student... but nevertheless, the picture works.

Image credit:
https://www.storesonlinepro.com/files/1883577/uploaded/Mrs.%20Rongey.JPG

10 of 10 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

The Casio FX85ES Scientific Calculator got me through my maths exams this year.

See Zack Whittaker's blog for more on essential gadgets for students.

Image credit:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/Full/A92FQ.jpg

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