High Times at San Diego State

May 7, 2008 by The Digital Student / 0 Comments

The layout of our freeform college radio station is such that we’re stuck broadcasting out of the basement of a dorm. Essentially, our station was recently relocated after the school decided to construct a new student center (rendering the college, until construction finishes, with no central student gathering spot). Anyway, it’s obvious that the studio was once storage space or, at the very least, a custodial washroom. There’s a vent above our soundboard and every now and then, especially late nights and on weekends, station disc us disc jockeys can get a mild contact high from the marijuana that seeps into the small sound booth.

I was never into drugs in college and I don’t think it’s because I was a straight edge goodie-goodie. Maybe that’s funny because I just admitted to being part of the largest group of stereotypical stoners we’ve got in a college radio station. I don’t know if that sets me apart from the majority of students that seem to, at the very least, experiment. In fact, most of my friends have. I don’t think they do it regularly though. There’s just some sort of appeal that comes along with the idea of being able to get high thinking that nobody’s going to care.

The act of the matter is that aside from drug it being illegal and users always running the risk of meeting the brick wall of school discipline, it’s expensive (and I’ve made similar arguments about those kids that blow $7 per beer at the overpriced local college bars). Right now, there’s a story breaking out of San Diego State University where at least 96 students were picked up on drugs and weapons charges following one student’s overdose.

I’m not going to lie. Drugs are just as big a part of college today as they’ve ever been – and their use is on the rise. Essentially, you’ve got 18 year olds running around away from home for the first time with zero responsibility thinking they can get away with anything (and obviously those D.A.R.E. programs did no good in grade school). Then, suddenly, a one student turns up dead and a raid results in the arrests and likely educational destruction of dozens and dozens of kids that thought this could never happen to them.

Perhaps the story is used to set an example, act as a deterrent, show that cops are doing something to combat drugs, etc. Nonetheless, regardless of where you fall politically on the legal status of drugs, it’s true that the San Diego incident speaks volumes about needing to quickly adjust toward a sense of maturity alongside the responsibility that should accompany the seemingly sudden transition toward college and, more importantly, an overall sign of getting older. This is what for too often many new students in particular think they can get away with. What they don’t realize is how quickly one silly mistake can end up tarnishing an entire college experience and perhaps stay with them long after college is over.

Should I Get a Laptop or Desktop?

May 6, 2008 by The Digital Student / One Comment

Congratulations, class of 2012! You’re probably pumped that you got into your school of choice and now you’re planning on making the next step. While your dorm room supplies should be purchased soon (we’ll talk about a good list of items to buy in an upcoming article), you definitely need to worry about bringing a computer to school. The question is: what kind should I bring? Are laptops better than desktops? What is the most suitable solution for me?

The answer of this question is determined by how often you intend to use it. Many classes require you to be mobile and utilize a laptop for this purpose. Additionally, if you have a roommate on a different schedule, you may want to have a laptop so that you can work elsewhere without disturbing him or her.

Laptops are great for taking notes, churning out papers in the library (on your own personal property), and since all are equipped with wifi nowadays, you can get yourself wireless internet access anywhere. On the other hand, laptops are more expensive than desktops, but that’s because they’re more portable and a lot easier to take with you (especially at the end of a semester).

If cost is an issue and roommates are not a problem, a desktop may be a viable solution. Most desktops are more powerful than laptops (since portable chips and storage are harder to produce). But on the other hand, you’ll be hand writing your notes instead of typing them, and it may be a lot easier (and faster) to have control over your keyboard rather than have to jot things down by hand. It’s less strenuous on your hands, too.

While mobility is the laptop’s biggest strength, it’s also the biggest weakness. Since you can carry it around anywhere, it’s more likely to be broken. With that in mind, opt in for a service contract that gives you full warranty support when breakage occurs. Also, since your laptop can be stolen easily, consider ways to keep it secure. Laptop manufacturer Targus has a wide variety of security accessories available. Don’t forget to have an extra battery on hand, especially if you’re mobile (without a power outlet) for a prolonged period of time. Battery life dies down over time, so this is a purchase you may want to revisit in a few years as well. (Be sure to check out discount outlets like eBay for cheaper deals than going directly to the manufacturer for spare parts. I saved over $100 on a laptop battery I’m using right now by using eBay instead of Dell.)

As always, visit your college computing website and get their suggested hardware and software recommendations. You may even be eligible for some seriously good educational discounts when buying through your school. If you have any questions, you should contact your school’s computing program for advice.