College 101: MacBook Air & Other Must-Haves for School

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The First Rule of Preparing for College: Expect the Unexpected

When you enter your first year of college, there’s a lot to take in. Oftentimes you find yourself in an entirely new city, surrounded by people and places you don’t know. The first tip for preparing for all that? Expect the unexpected. With new classes and friends, and all new experiences, you’ll want to make sure that your most valuable possessions are protected. That’s why something like a MacBook Air and a good MacBook Air case are the perfect combination to starting your college preparation list off right.

With so much change, figuring out your dorm room, meal plan, new friends and a new schedule, one of the easiest ways to stay on top of everything is to be flexible and mobile. That’s why a light, fast, and super-portable MacBook, like the MacBook Air, is the right choice for new college students. Imagine you start classes, and out of nowhere a new classmate drops by your dorm room to invite you to an impromptu study group. If you’ve already got a MacBook Air and an accompanying MacBook Air case, you’ll be ready at a moment’s notice to jump up and join the group. The key to success here is being open to new experiences, friends and knowledge while also being nimble so you can take advantage of all the opportunities as soon as they present themselves.

Best MacBook for School

You have a few options when it comes to MacBooks, and as you prepare for college, you want to make sure you choose the one that’s going to be best for you. The first thing to consider is portability. When comparing the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air, the clear winner here is the MacBook Air. They are lighter, thinner, and generally more portable than MacBook Pros. With that extra portability, though, comes some danger. Lots of people get so comfortable carrying their MacBook Air around with them that they forget that it’s still a powerful and expensive MacBook! That’s why it’s vital to get the right MacBook Air case to protect your MacBook Air.

And, since you’ll be using your MacBook Air in a variety of new locations (dorm room, common room, dining hall, library, etc) you should also consider getting a MacBook Air keyboard cover and a MacBook Air screen protector. That way, no matter where you end up working on that essay or studying for your midterms, every part of your MacBook Air will be protected and stay looking and performing like it is brand new.

Prepping for Dorm Room Living

Unless you went to a boarding school for elementary, middle, or high school, your first semester in a dorm room is going to present a lot of learning… shall we say... “opportunities.” Sharing (what, depending on your college, can be a rather small) space with someone for the first time brings with it its own set of challenges. In the end, though, if you do it right, sharing a dorm room can be fun – and even lead to lifelong friendships.

If you already have a MacBook Air, you’ll want to make sure you get a well-fitting MacBook Air Case to protect it from accidental spills or drops. Since most dorm rooms allow for a small refrigerator and microwave, it’s likely that you and/or your roommate will do some food preparation in the room itself. The same thing goes for your sheets – you’ll need to bring an extra set of sheets just in case you or your roommate accidentally spills something while making that late night snack. With your workspace, bed, and “kitchen” all in one room, you’ll want to make sure you’re fully prepared in case someone accidentally knocks over that perfect bowl of extra cheesy mac and cheese or that double spice packet ramen special. It’s in moments like these where an extra set of sheets and the right MacBook Air Case are going to be key to saving you precious time and energy.

Getting Ready Before You Arrive

Believe it or not, there is actually a lot you can do even before getting to campus that will help you get ready for your first year away at college. One of the best and most overlooked things to do is make sure that your technical skills are fully up to speed. This includes brushing up on your shortcuts and researching which apps are going to be best for the classes you’re taking. Plus, one thing that’s great about the MacBook Air is the fact that even though it’s incredibly light and portable, it is also a powerful and fully capable MacBook. Adding the right MacBook Air case that provides everyday protection just ensures that your MacBook Air survives all the trips back and forth to the library without sustaining any scratches, dents, or dings. Furthermore, if you’re entering into a creative field, it’s likely that you will need to familiarize yourself with the Adobe Creative Suite so that on your first day, you aren’t lagging behind your other classmates. Lots of different software comes with free trial options. Taking advantage of that and spending some time learning new programs before you arrive on campus will save you from the headache of having to figure things out on the fly in your new classes.

Another great tip is to brush up on your networking skills before orientation starts. While college obviously provides higher education and degrees, some of the most valuable takeaways from any college experience will be the connections you make with people you meet at school. Now, in 2018, a lot of that networking is going to take place in the digital space. So grab your MacBook Air (and if you don’t have one yet, your MacBook Air case) and make sure you feel comfortable navigating Facebook and LinkedIn in an appropriate manner to build professional connections. If you meet someone who is going to end up helping you build the next social networking site, you want to make sure you don’t embarrass yourself with the messages you send them when you first connect on Facebook Messenger.

Some Nitty Gritty Must-Haves

At the end of the day, being mentally and emotionally prepared for your first semester at college is only going to take you so far. When it comes down to it, there are a few nitty gritty must-have items that will make any first college experience go smoother.

  • Extra set of sheets
  • MacBook Air
  • MacBook Air case (to protect from scratches)
  • A pair of good headphones (noise-cancelling if possible)
  • Microwavable plates, bowls, and utensils
  • Quarters, or a laundry card
  • A small, portable toolkit
  • A first aid kit (in case of emergency)
  • Flip-flops (don’t you dare take a shower barefoot!)
  • Air freshener (either a spray or a plugin, you never know what kind of shower schedule you and your roommate will keep during finals)

Obviously your final list will be a lot longer, but in any case you’ll want to be sure to include these must-haves. The best advice for getting ready for your first year of college is to prep thoroughly, follow through on your plan, and then make sure you’re ready to adjust and change the plan if necessary.

Essentials for Making New Friends

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One of the most exciting things about starting college is all the new friends you are going to make. In many cases, the friends you make in college end up being your friends for life. The shared experience of college bonds people in a way that is unlike any other. As you embark on new friendships and meeting new people, it’s important that you stay true to your roots. One of the best ways to do that is to make sure your outward style choices reflect your inward personality. New friends are going to inevitably make snap judgements about the people they meet. Think about it – during orientation it’s possible to meet dozens, if not hundreds of people over the course of several days.

With that in mind, make sure the outfits you choose and the accessories you select truly communicate your personality – this can even be done subtly. For example, if you are fun and artistic, you might want to compliment your outfit with a MacBook Air case covered in a pattern or flowers like this one. On the other hand, if you are a very focused and forward-thinking person, you might be better suited with a leatherette MacBook Air case. It’s the small details like this that will set you up for success in the early weeks of your first year of college or university.

Final Words of Wisdom

Most importantly, the fact that you’re here, doing research on how to be prepared for your first college experience, says a lot about your future success. You’re invested in succeeding and that is always the first step! So don’t worry, you got this! And like we went over in the beginning, no matter how prepared you feel, even if you selected the perfect MacBook Air case and made the perfect list, the most important thing to remember is you can’t prepare for everything. No matter how well you prep, you’re bound to encounter unexpected and exciting experiences. That’s what college is all about! Now, if you don’t have a MacBook Air case and a MacBook Air screen protector yet, get your college prep started and choose one that’s right for you!


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