Being a student in 2024, having a computer is a must. Anything that would have previously involved using a writing utensil has now been transformed into an electronic device. From learning new material to assignments to group projects, it all happens through screens. It’s hard for me to imagine what school was like without one back in the day. 

Most of my classes have some kind of online component - whether it’s watching recorded lessons, submitting assignments with a simple link, or just emailing a teacher a question. Even the library seems to be more digital than physical. I don’t feel the need to track down a hand-held book with the research materials I need when it’s all just a few clicks away.  

Then there are the group projects. Oh man, those are impossible without a computer. When students don’t have class time to work together, we rely on leaving comments on slideshows or 1,000 emails to communicate our thoughts to every group member. Everyone has sports, a job, or other commitments that prevent an open time to get together to complete the task at hand. So, the simple solution involves using a shared document online to make progress during the staggered times that people have availability. 

Even note-taking has changed. I use digital notebooks and apps that help me organize everything in one place. Plus, it’s a lifesaver for keeping up with all the different deadlines. My computer feels like my backup brain sometimes, holding all the random stuff I need to do, study, or remember. 

Sure it’s great to have everything at my fingertips, but it can also be kind of exhausting. When your entire academic life is tied to your computer, you end up staring at a screen all day. Still, I can’t imagine doing any of this without one. Being a student today pretty much means your laptop is your survival tool.