Those working on a master of engineering degree need to keep technology in the forefront of their mind at all times. After all, it is technology that will enable them to complete their studies, work on projects, and stay connected to the world at large. Some technologies are standard for pretty much everyone, but engineering students in particular need a couple of pieces of specialized equipment. They stay on the go, looking at everything around them through a unique lens. Here are six pieces of technology that every single engineering student needs while in college.
1. A Suitable Laptop
This piece of technology is going to go with you almost everywhere you go. A fast laptop with plenty of storage space is where you will be maintaining the bulk of your research. When you go to class, you will want to take notes on your student laptop as you can keep your eyes on your instructor. If you need to go back to a previous lesson, you will only need to take a moment to go through notes you have saved on other days. Laptops are also invaluable for on-site research. Whenever you need to do any fact checking or even send out an email, your laptop can be accessed and utilized way faster than a PC in most settings. It is suggested that you also have a backup method available to save your files, such as an external hard drive or a cloud account.
2. Smartwatches
To some, smartwatches appear to be little more than a novelty. While in pursuit of an online masters of engineering management degree you need to work diligently and stay healthy and well rested. What better way to track your vitals than with a smartwatch? You can literally create a real-time monitoring system that covers everything from your vital signs, to the total time you have been studying, sleeping, and relaxing over a given period of time. If you want to change any part of your lifestyle, you will have a comprehensive method available for looking at past data as well as tracking your progress. Smartwatches also give users access to data such as coordinates, so you can also look at various routes you have traveled and use this technology to assist you in your studies. Smartwatches are really great for students who want to make great use of their time, right down to the second.
3. Portable Charging Stations
One obstacle that most students face is a seemingly minor yet important one; keeping their portable devices charged. If you are at the library, you will undoubtedly have your laptop with you, but in additional to books you will also be sharing outlets with other students. You can either elect to stay at the library for as long as your laptop will hold a charge, or you can get a portable charger and keep all of your devices powered up. While in the classroom, in the cafeteria, or while you are out and about, you will also have many times in which one of your digital devices runs low on battery. An efficient portable charging station can be a lifesaver in all of these situations. So, if you plan to be away from home regularly, you should have a portable charger in your bag at all times.
4. A Tablet and Stylus
Engineers not only take copious amounts of notes, they also need to sketch things out. From design concepts to diagrams, engineering students working towards a masters of engineering management need to be able to see certain ideas as well as read about them. Sketching things out in a sketchpad is still the standard, but a tablet and stylus gives students more options. By drawing on a digital device, you can really clean your designs up without much effort or skill. Use a tablet and stylus to copy down entire classroom lessons, including all of the symbols, diagrams, and sketches your teacher puts up on the whiteboard.
5. The Tachometer
Learning, measuring, and evolving is pretty much the way in which engineers are able to innovate. Just as a compass is to direction, the tachometer is to calibrating the engine. If your studies include making things move, you will need a tachometer to measure, compare, and fine-tune engines and motors. Since engines are present in everything from cars and boats to robots, you will need a digital tachometer to check these electronics for consistency. Sometimes you will be able to notice differences in timing only through careful measurement as well as observation. In these cases, your tachometer will be a very vital tool.
6. A Standard Smartphone
In truth, you really don’t need anything other than a regular cell phone that will make and receive calls if you require a 24/7 communication device. Most modern laptops will connect you to the internet and even enable you to send text messages. However, for an engineering student, there also needs to be a backup communication system for them available. Then, there is the fact that technology occasionally fails – pretty much any engineering student will tell you that. With a smartphone, you can easily multitask. While taking a call, you can also surf the web. If you need a way to quickly convert measurements between the U.S. and metric system, rest assured that there are literally dozens of apps available. You can also quickly jot down notes and look up contacts on a smartphone. This is not to mention the relative short loading time on smartphones versus laptops. Unless you have your laptop turned on all the time, it could be a few minutes before it powers on or comes out of sleep mode.
You don’t need to carry an oversized backpack to keep everything on hand necessary for your studies, but what you do take along has to be streamlined. Consider the above-named pieces of technology as you study for your master’s in engineering, especially if you intend on graduating at the top of your class. Being prepared is a big part of the job, so pick up every technological tool that you need and keep each one in perfect working order.
