Students are heading back to school in Richmond and shopping for new clothes and supplies is a tradition at this point. School as we know it is shifting and changing with technology becoming an important integrated part of the learning process. Figuring out what supplies you and your student need can be overwhelming. While we can’t help you choose a trapper keeper, we can absolutely help you pick out some new tech. We have compiled a list of our top three technology essentials that we think can make your back-to-school experience a little easier.
Noise Cancelling headphones
Distractions are a fact of life. You can’t eliminate them but you can try to keep them at bay. That’s where a good pair of noise-canceling headphones come in. For your student going back to school, the noise canceling aspect is a must-have to hyper-focus and get school tasks done without distraction. These are also a great treat for yourself, filtering out the sound of multiplication tables and Roblox for a moment of quiet.
We recommend Bose noise canceling headphones (there are over-ear and earbud options.) Or if you are an Apple fan and want to keep it in the family, Apple’s AirPods Pro are the way to go. Are you a BEATS Fan? They are actually being produced by Apple and have the same great quality as the Airpod Pros! Whatever way you choose to help your kids, (or save your ears) these are solid products that come with 5-star ratings.
Portable Charger
A portable charger seems like an unassuming piece of technology but it’s super helpful in a pinch. Recently more powerfully chargers have popped up and can charge almost any product you need. This product is great when you or your student is on the go and forgot to plug in the night before. There are a couple of great options when looking at portable chargers, however, our help desk recommends Anker brand power banks. You can get a small compact one for on-the-go charging or a medium size one for your classroom needs. Even better, Anker has a huge selection right on Amazon so snagging one is a breeze.
The extended beauty of this product is that it doesn’t have to be about school all of the time, back to school time also means hurricane season in Richmond. Having a few power banks on hand could help charge your phones or devices to help you stay informed and connected during a prolonged power outage while Virginia Power works its magic!
Smart Alarm Clock
Waking up is hard to do and waking up a teenager is even harder. The world has come a long way from a simple bell alarm clock, and we now have ‘smart’ alarm clocks that make it harder to snooze and easier to get your morning started. There are a variety of new clocks to choose from. Do you want to wake up with the sun and keep your shades closed, there is one that’s perfect for you! Or are you a heavy sleeper that needs an extra step to get moving, there’s one that has a little loud robot that runs and hides from you all while blaring an alarm (looking to get your child’s cardio in early?!) There are a ton of options available and if you already have a home ecosystem in place Amazon, Apple, and Google all have bedside alarm products ready to integrate into your home network.
There is greatness in all of these products, but….. buyer beware! if your child uses them together, they could not only charge the noise canceling headphones but use them to block out that new smart clock! No matter if your child is a Wildcat, Trojan, Spartan, Maverick, Tiger, Warrior, Rapid, or an Eagle these items will have them ready to face the 2022-2023 school year!
