Plug into products designed to enhance your students’ enjoyment of campus life.
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Write smart
If you’ve ever looked back at notes and wondered what language you wrote them in, the Neo smartpen N2 may be your new best friend. Used with a special paper, the smartpen uses its invisible-to-the-eye technology to transfer your handwriting to the device you choose via Bluetooth. $169; neosmartpen.com.
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Chillin’
Having a refrigerator stuffed with snacks may be what freshmen miss most about home (next to Mom and Dad, of course). The space-saving Igloo Mini Refrigerator comes in a rainbow of colors and keeps everything cold—a must for late-night study breaks. $89 and up. (800) 925-6278; walmart.com.
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Own the dot
When you’re away from home, who’s your source for answers and advice? Enter the Echo Dot. The Dot responds to voice commands and will announce the weather, read the news, play favorite songs and more. But it won’t do your laundry or make your bed. $50. (888) 280-4331; amazon.com.
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Just brew it
Caffeinate through college, one cup at a time, with the Keurig K15 Coffee Maker in your favorite color. Its compact size fits nicely in cramped quarters. Brews three sizes, with a 10-ounce option to power you through sleepy mornings. $100. (866) 901-2739; keurig.com.
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Big Mac
Though it weighs only 4 pounds and measures a bit over half an inch thick, the MacBook Pro is no lightweight. Touch ID requires your fingerprint to open, for extra security. The Touch Bar provides easy access to functions you use most. With improved speed and graphics capability, it’s ready for academic achievement. Starts at $2,249 for 15-inch model. (800) 692-7753; apple.com.
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Digital dictation
What to do on days when your mind wanders, you’re too sleepy to pay attention or the professor is talking too fast to keep up? Let the Sony Digital Voice Recorder step up and record the lecture. No worries if chatterboxes are nearby—this recorder filters background noise. $60. (888) 237-8289; bestbuy.com.
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Double duty
In a cramped dorm room, multitasking is a must. The Studio 3B LED Desk Lamp with USB and AC Charging Station packs the power punch you need. Four settings deliver just the right light, and you can charge your devices close at hand while you work. $40. (800) 462-3966; bedbathandbeyond.com.
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Packing a charge
Your phone is worthless when it’s out of juice. Carry the BirkSun Festival backpack to keep your phone fully functional. With plenty of room for books and papers, the pack also features a solar panel to deliver the power you need. And when there’s no sun, you can recharge it via wall plug. $100. (424) 237-8850; birksun.com.
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Room of many colors
Give a blah dorm room a lighting makeover. With the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit, you use an app and 16 million colors to match the shade of light to your mood, music or movies. You can even set light to wake you up. $200. (847) 717-1890; meethue.com.