Students roll out of bed at the insistent ringing of their alarms and turn on their laptops to check the weather, a crucial step in deciding what to wear and whether to carry an umbrella. They check their e-mail -- overnight, their inboxes have flooded with messages about meeting times for organizations, readings for classes and the usual assortment of events occurring around Grounds. They place their laptops in their bags to take notes during class and afterwards, they turn to their laptops to work on papers due the next day.
Though this is not necessarily the routine of every University student, many agree they are dependent on their laptops.
"It's pretty much my life," first-year College student Quynh Nguyen said. "I'm always online talking to friends, checking e-mail, doing homework."
Some students are surprised by the extent to which coming to college has changed their dependency on laptops.
"I never owned or used a laptop before college, and now I'm lost without them," second-year College student Alex Boyajian said. "I check my e-mail constantly, and it basically is required for me to do anything with any organization I'm involved in. It's a complete 180."
Unfortunately, students sometimes have no choice but to manage without their laptops.
"My power adapter died on me earlier this semester -- I've never felt so alone before," first-year College student Brittany Reid said. "It was the most frustrating three days of my life."
Students have varying reasons to explain their dependence on laptops.
"It's easy access, especially if you have wireless," fourth-year College student Mary Saprito said. "And the libraries tend to get crowded, so you don't have to wait around for a computer. If anything happened to my laptop, I'd be distressed."
Students who don't own their own laptop often make use of ones provided by the University. "I don't have a laptop, but I use the ones at Clemons," third-year College student Christopher McMichael said. "When I study, I'm very dependent on it."
Others, however, see the advantages foregoing the laptop -- at least some times.
"I trust my own writing more than a printout," third-year College student Laura Scott said.
Third-year College student Melissa Chan said she also prefers to take notes by hand on occasion, rather than using a laptop.
"When the class has PowerPoints posted, I'll write notes on a printout," Chan said, explaining that having an outline makes it easier to take notes by hand because she does not have to scramble to write down everything the professor says.
Nonetheless, many students, like McMichael, find laptops are crucial to life in college.
"Laptops give me the ability to move around, so I can study with friends and can move somewhere else if it's too loud, instead of being stuck in one place," McMichael said. "I actually bought a desktop before I came to college, and I regret it. [With a laptop,] you can get your work done so much faster because you have everything with you."
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 3 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 5 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
