Leaving home for the first time ever next fall? Starting a new chapter in your life by moving into residential housing at school?

Well, if you’ve said “yes” to either of these questions, you are probably wondering what gadgets and other useful items you should bring along with you in order to feel comfortable in your new living space. Here is a quick breakdown of the technology you should begin thinking about as you move into second semester and begin planning for what you should carry with you onto campus next fall.

First and foremost, what every college student should have in his/her possession is a reliable laptop. In the 21st century, every college requires a computer to handle basic course tasks such as writing essays, downloading documents, and doing basic research. If money allows for this important expense, it is wise to look for a laptop with faster processing and bigger RAM and hard drive storage to make these actions a little easier. One should also take the time to select a design and/or casing that not only reflects one’s personality but that also distinguishes the laptop from others, as this piece of hardware will be carried around quite often. If possible, a personal printer for the dorm room would help in quick and easy printing and finalizing your work. Laptops such as the Apple MacBook Air and the Acer C7 are recommended choices from highly regarded magazines and websites like PC Mag.

Another item that will prove its worth in the college experience is a smart phone. Phones like the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S4 make on-the-fly research and communication a breeze. Instead of carrying those big, heavy books and your expensive laptop around, a smart phone can be all one needs, whether you are taking some quick notes in the library, meeting with peers for a project or stopping by during a professor’s office hours to ask quick questions on assignment due dates and details.

Moving the focus away from classroom-beneficial items and into the all-important leisure items, it seems obvious in today’s world that students should not shy away from bringing their TVs and gaming systems to college. If space and regulations allow, gaming provides a good source of entertainment as you take breaks from hard study sessions, and playing along with those who live in your dorm can be a great way to meet people. In terms of TV selection, stick to around 32 inches to keep things light and spacious. One may be surprised by the amount of fun and stress relief that can come from a late-night gaming session with roommates or friends. The TV can also be used for cable, which many dorms have today.

Of course, seniors still have the end of the semester to worry about and a whole other semester to handle, but it is never too early to start thinking about next year – especially when that next year takes you onto a college campus. So, take these simple instructions into consideration, and you will be guaranteed a smoother, easier college transition.