While most people would agree that a back-to-school essentials list starts with a basic pen and paper, I'm here to tell you why headphones are even more important.Oracle Photography/Leda Alvim
Choose from wireless earbuds, noise-canceling headphones, or good old wired headphones.
It would be rare to find a USF student anywhere on campus who isn't wearing some type of headphones, whether it's on their backpack, around their neck, or in their ears. We found that most students preferred not having paper and pen to having headphones.
Unless the sounds of typical college hustle and bustle aren't your favorite music genre, headphones should be a top priority when evaluating back-to-school essentials.
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Headphones eliminate distractions, allow students to relax, and provide an opportunity to socialize.
It's hard to remember how many times I listened to other students' computers or phones while studying on the fifth floor of the library. Headphones easily solve this problem by reducing noise from electronic devices.
Having your own listening device means that only you, and not other students, can hear your music, podcasts, or the latest lectures.
Some professors may have students listen to music while completing class assignments. This allows you to personally focus and prevent yourself from getting distracted.
Bring your own headphones and you won't have to worry about whether the student next to you prefers Drake or Kendrick Lamar diss tracks. Because you'll be the only one listening.
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Headphones also allow you to decompress.
It's safe to say that college can be overwhelming at times, but I've found that this anxious feeling can be easily alleviated by using airpods. With the simple click of your Airpods case and the familiar sound of them connecting to your phone, it's easy to disappear into your own world.
Music takes me directly into my own movie and helps make my day romantic. Whether it's a quick few minutes of songs on the way to class or his 10-minute “All Too Well” song by Taylor Swift, I've found that I can sit back and reflect on my thoughts before returning to the social atmosphere. Ta.
If I had to guess, I'd say that with all this talk about headphone use, there's a fear that it might make it harder to connect with others or make you seem unapproachable. But that's never true.
This semester, I was actually able to make friends in class. Because she stopped and asked me what she was playing on her Airpods. Oddly enough, I was playing her favorite artist.
From there, we connected audio to our Airpods and exchanged music recommendations. In fact, headphones allow people to connect with others, not quite the opposite.
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It's no exaggeration to say that headphones are non-negotiable when it comes to college essentials. However, you don't need the latest Airpod Pro to be successful.
There are plenty of headphones out there that don't exceed an unreasonable price point. SkullCandy and JBL offer affordable headphones ranging from $25 to $70.
No matter what kind of headphones you decide to bring to college, we guarantee you'll get the most out of them while on campus.
Always bring it with you, because the days you don't have it, you'll wish you had.
