Back to School Laptop Shopping at UT Tyler

It now seems that technology rules everything that we do.  From communicating with friends to working on
documents for work and school, the use of a computer is now required for success.  Unfortunately, computers come in hundreds of brands, with thousands of potential differences in them, and sometimes you will not get what you pay for.  In fact, my 2 year old laptop recently shorted out on me and I was forced to purchase a new computer, as I have to have one for school and debate.  So, how do you know what to buy? Well, hopefully I can help make some suggestions!

New Semester

New Semester!

   This new semester is (thankfully) starting off much easier than the last one and I for one and super thankful. My last semester consisted of all my worst subjects, rolled into a squishy ball of “I hate my life.” This semester is two English classes ( yay! ), one Bio course ( ~_~ Boo! ) and an online cinema class where we watch films. No kidding!

   What makes me excited about my English courses is that they are Graduate Level courses so I will have to read/work my behind off, but I am happy to be starting the Graduate process. My other interests of mind-controlling-severity will include:

-          -Take/study the GRE test

-          -Write/commit-to-concept papers for Grad Submissions as Writing Samples

-         - Apply for other colleges

-        -  Keep on top of my Grad classes

   My book purchases this semester were also the lowest ever here at UT ( 60 bucks! ) however is because [ so far ] I only need books for one class. Not too bad.

   Despite a possible hiccup in Financial Aid, everything got fixed up very well and my funds released today. I paid for books, my storage unit, and also got myself a new laptop.

   Last semester was particularly troubling ( well, for me anyway in regards to this problem ) because I had quite a few online components and class projects which was not workable from an iPad. I rented an e-textbook which had no NOOK support on the device, thus it was for all intents useless.

   This semester while I am on campus I’ll have access to a real laptop so I can use a full version of Office, watch the films I’ll need to see for class, and upload/submit my WORD document papers, etc…

   In all, it will be a difficult semester, but only because of the extra-curricular stuff that will be possible because my physical course-work is so agreeable.  

I still have a laptop!

Last Thursday, I took a long, spur of the moment road trip to Lubbock. For those of you who don't know, that's nearly an 8 hour drive from  UT Tyler. So, in order to make it on time, I went to my first class- Creative Writing - then I hit the road! I wasn't necessarily rushed, because I had enough time to get there.  I was just being very aware of my time.

I was about 1 hour down the road when I realized that I had left my laptop in my classroom in the Business Building! It also happened to be between 12-1, AKA Lunch Hour, when I had this realization. I knew that I couldn't turn around to go get it, so I just hoped that it would still be plugged into the wall where someone could go get it for me!

My mom called me when she was headed back to campus, and I quickly explained what had happened. She was a huge help, and went and found my computer still plugged into the wall - exactly where I left it! I felt SO lucky and relieved, because there had been 2 classes in that room since mine had ended! This was definitely not an ideal situation, but I then made it to Lubbock safely, and my computer traveled home with my mom. 

So, I know that I will be MUCH more conscious of my belongings from now on, and I hope that you will do the same!