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So, you’re heading off to college, eh? Well, congratulations on spending, on average, somewhere in the neighborhood of $30,000 a year! And when you’re dropping that much cash, you might as well get the right gear to help you make the most of your higher education.
This guide is mostly basics; for incoming students who have special needs (like, say, graphic designers, or hardcore gamers, or musicians), you’ll need different equipment. But you already know if you’ll need specialized stuff, so this guide is for those who don’t have special needs. If you’re not a photographer, we’ve got a good camera recommendation to get you started. If you’re not a gamer, we’ve got the laptop that’ll be the best for most people. And everything is recommended with an eye on price: we won’t recommend something that’s the best if there’s something that’s also great and half the price. You’re not a millionaire, after all; chances are you’re going to be broke for the next few years.
Also, drink lots of water.
![white MacBook Air](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/NJZ5HU3ENR3BVCOA6BFW4HWV4A.png?strip=all&quality=85)
![person holding a white android smartphone](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/VQGPWBIQEI63JM3Z3GSAXDYZZI.jpg?strip=all&quality=85)
![Black Amazon Kindle Paperwhite](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/TGYK675QSUG5SWTXD3NXD4USBE.jpg?strip=all&quality=85)
![Sony NEX 3N Camera](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/HQEK66QTD42GATJLC7MHIWVHVI.jpg?strip=all&quality=85)
![two Jawbone Big Jambox speakers](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/VANFAGG7LVVPWNPVNQLYQ6TP7M.jpg?strip=all&quality=85)
![Klipsch Image S4 wired earbuds](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/TZEGPDE52AS56FGBEGWAILHWRE.jpg?strip=all&quality=85)
![Satechi external battery and an iPhone](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/KJJGHRGV56FSIUWUX2IEKCB7UQ.jpg?strip=all&quality=85)
![blue Herschel Heritage Backpack](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/GYY3TCDELA6HMBACFJXWBYXPR4.jpeg?strip=all&quality=85)
![Simplenote note-taking app interface](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/DCYPNVLKTHG4WJFBVLQMIFNJVU.png?strip=all&quality=85)
![Google Drive Cloud Storage](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/IELWEL2HMGX5RGFQ3SCXPRNARA.png?strip=all&quality=85)
![GroupMe Chatting app interface](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/MBVFK5GIAQDGFDWRONUYQY5QF4.png?strip=all&quality=85)
![Chegg online textbook rentals interface](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/HID5FPPOG33OPWTM3CN42Z42VE.png?strip=all&quality=85)