School gets easier and more fun when you have the right聽tech, supplies, and toys.听
Tech
You don't need to go overboard with the gadgets, but a few key items can make a big difference.
Livescribe 3 Smart Pen ($180)聽

This transcribes everything you write and sends those digital notes聽to your iOS or Android devices, making them聽easy to organize and share.听
Roku Streaming Stick ($40)聽

With the聽,聽you can have聽Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon wherever you spend the night.
UE ROLL 2 Speaker ($100)聽

Small, shockproof, and waterproof, 聽straps to your handlebars or backpack so you can have tunes whenever an impromptu dance party breaks out.听
TomTom Spark 3 Activity Tracker ($250)

Stay in shape with this which counts steps and calories burned, but also comes with聽a built-in heart monitor,聽onboard GPS, and storage for 500 songs (Bluetooth headphones are included). Pair it with your Android or iOS device聽to see your stats.听
Vandra Pack ($115)聽

This is built for busy gadget-lovers, with padded sleeves for all your tech, a built-in USB charging port, and location tracking if the bag goes missing. We also like the reflective hits for the bike ride home.听
TarDisk聽128GB Storage Device ($130)

Laptops don't come with much internal storage and tend to fill up fast, especially if you're a photographer or graphic designer. The slips into the memory card slot on your PC laptop and boots with your computer, instantly doubling the onboard storage.听
Dorm Room
Here are eight products that will make your room聽feel a little more聽like home.听
Philips Hue Starter Kit ($200)

This kit comes with two,聽聽third-generation LED smart bulbs, and聽a bridge, allowing you to聽control the聽intensity and color of the lights from your phone. You can even sync the lights聽to your music.听
Scratch the World Map ($40)

You could adorn your wall with a poster of聽John Belushi in his college sweatshirt, or you could hang up , which lets you scratch off the countries and states you鈥檝e visited.
Chillbo Baggins 2.0 Inflatable Couch ($50)聽
In most applications, these 聽are obnoxious. But in a dorm room, when you need seating one minute, but then room for a game of beer pong the next, an inflatable couch makes perfect sense.听
Mr. Coffee Pour Brew Go Coffee Maker ($40)聽

Coffee will fuel your college experience, but space is tight in the dorm room, so consider the , a single-serve coffee maker that comes with its own travel cup and brews loose grounds so it isn鈥檛 reliant on expensive pods.
鈥
Pursteam Fabric Steamer ($20)

Pro tip: instead of a dryer, use a steamer to neaten your clothes. is BPA-free and safe to use on any type of fabric.听
'A Short History of Nearly Everything' ($30)

Consider your cheat sheet to history class. Bill Bryson, one of聽国产吃瓜黑料's favorite writers, tracks聽history from the big bang to the present moment in聽succinct and easy to understand anecdotes.听
Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs ($25)

Never underestimate the power of聽good earplugs, especially when you have roommates. To create a custom fit you聽heat the thermoplastic plugs in boiling water, let them cool for a bit, and shape them to your ears.
Moleskine Calendar Notebook ($15)

Keep organized, or mostly organized, with this . Each day has its own page, and there are 50 pages in the back for notes.听
础肠迟颈惫别听
Ward off the freshman fifteen with a little exercise. This gear will help.听
Smith Maze Bike Helmet ($80)

Your commuter helmet shouldn't make you look like a track cyclist. To avoid that faux pas, go聽with the聽, which meets all safety standards but聽also looks good cruising around campus.听聽
Adidas Rumble Sackpack ($25)聽

Keep your gym bag simple with , a drawstring backpack that has a cavernous interior and two zippered pockets. 聽
La Sportiva Rapid Short ($130)

聽shorts聽are made for longer weekend runs and come with聽Polygeine, an聽anti-bacterial fiber that聽keeps the stink down. (Because we know you鈥檙e not gonna do laundry as often as you should.)聽
State Bicycle Co. Beorn聽Bike ($300)

It's not worth blowing your savings on a bike you're only going to ride a couple miles聽to class. Instead, check out the聽, an affordable but well-made聽single speed that聽comes in a variety of聽bright, attention-grabbing colors.
Five Ten Spitfire Shoes ($90)

聽have double stitching and an ultra-sticky Stealth Rubber sole but package those聽performance traits in a聽skate shoe aesthetic.
Otto Design Works OttoLock ($60)

U-locks reign supreme for their superb locking power, but they're bulky and heavy to carry in your pack. The , on the other hand,聽is made from聽a thin Kevlar-reinforced steel band, rolls up into the size of a fist, and stands up to聽bolt cutters. Trust us, we tried.听
Style
Look good, feel good. These eight products will help you stand out in a crowd.
California Cowboy High Water Shirt ($135)聽

Yes, the Hawaiian shirt is back, but the isn鈥檛 your dad鈥檚 standard floral print. It has a sunglasses loop, a waterproof pocket for your phone, a built-in bottle opener, and a koozie beer pocket, too.听
OluKai Nohea聽Shoes ($95)聽

The are boat shoes but look good with a pair of jeans at the pub. We also dig the聽drop-down聽heel that turns these kicks into slip-on loafers.听
Cotopaxi Libre Sweater ($140)

This two-tone聽 is made from soft llama fiber and features a barely-noticeable breathable mesh back panel. That聽means you can go straight from class to an ultimate game in the quad.听
Saxx Vibe Boxer Briefs ($30)聽

If you鈥檙e not worried about what your underwear looks like, you鈥檙e doing college wrong. , which come in a variety of loud but clever prints,聽are聽made from a wicking polyester聽and feature聽Saxx's infamous ball pouch that keeps everything supported and organized. 聽
United By Blue Prim Shirtdress ($110)

The relaxed fit, pop down collar, and sleeveless style make the 聽a versatile and fun option for any occasion.听
Taylor Stitch Telegraph Jacket ($250)聽

is made from a blend of wool and linen and comes with a bit of stretch. Wear it聽on special occasions, or聽dress it down with a pair of jeans.听
The North Face Ballard II Boot ($110)

Temperature-sensitive rubber soles and a thin layer of synthetic insulation make great in the snow. They're stylish enough to wear indoors thanks to the leather laces and a coated canvas outer.
Costa Osearch Remora Sunglasses ($170)

An 国产吃瓜黑料 staff favorite, the tiger shark聽frames are a refreshing change from the ubiquitous, all-black Wayfarers. Polarized synthetic lenses create a clear picture and聽keep out aggressive rays.
Lululemon Non-Stop Bomber Jacket ($128)

This offers two looks in one. Sleek and simple, it has just two pockets but is stuffed with a thin layer of聽PrimaLoft insulation for warmth and a DWR coating helps stymie rain.
Duer聽Performance Denim Jeans ($130)

A pair of slim, dark wash jeans will be the most versatile聽item in your wardrobe. We like聽take, which come with triple-stitched inseams and double-layered back pockets so they can take a beating.