Chances are your laptop has become your trusty sidekick as you cram for classes and plow through a demanding course load. Here’s a list of laptop secrets and tips for students that will make you the envy of your classmates.
Stay productive. Take advantage of free to-do list software and productivity applications. There are many free tools such as Remember the Milk and Evernote that can interface with your mobile device and even send RSS notifications to keep you on top of all your schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Properly managing your workload now means more free time throughout the year.
Use keyboard shortcuts. When you’re taking notes in class, keyboard shortcuts can help you multitask and get more done. Whether you’re using a PC or a Mac, memorizing these shortcuts can help you save time (or waste time more efficiently).
Increase your battery life. There’s nothing worse than running out of power in the middle of a study session. Dimming your laptop’s display can literally supply additional hours of battery life. You should also put your computer in sleep mode when you’re not doing work. Disconnecting peripherals can also improve battery life.
Back up your files. Hard drives do fail and laptops go missing. It’s devastating when this happens — especially when you realize that you don’t have back-ups for your important documents, photos and music. The solution to this problem is simple: Back up your data regularly. Also make sure you have a way to get your laptop back if it does go missing, like the theft recovery solution from Computrace® LoJack® for Laptops.
It is easy to set up an external hard drive or go with an online backup solution. Mozy provides free online backup for up to 2 GB, which is probably enough for your school papers and notes. If you want to backup photos, music or other files, you’ll have to go with a paid service that allots more online storage space.
Perform basic computer maintenance. A little legwork up front can keep your laptop running smoothly for the rest of your school career. Use an internet firewall, and regularly update your OS and antivirus software.
