So you’ve got your college student hooked up with a laptop and a backpack. They’re all set to take on the world, right? Well, yeah, but they’re gonna need a few accessories to really make the best of that dorm space. Hunching over a laptop screen for hours of studying isn’t exactly ideal.
Fortunately, we’ve got everything they’ll need to make the most of their setup in a one-stop shop. Kit them out with some or all of these extras, and they’ll be a studying, class-taking, test-passing machine. Or possibly just play a lot of League of Legends. Don’t judge, college is stressful.
I’ve ranked this list starting with what I consider the most essential additions to a standard laptop. If you’re on a budget, go for the top items first.
USB-C Monitor: Dell S2722DC
Dell
I think the number one thing you should equip your student with to maximize their productivity with a laptop is a monitor. Not only is it far bigger than their portable screen, the laptop becomes a secondary monitor when connected, giving them a serious boost in real estate and window management.
Dell makes super-reliable monitors at great prices, and this model has everything you could want. With a 27-inch display and a boosted 2560×1440 resolution, it’s bigger and sharper than a standard budget screen, and the IPS panel is color-accurate enough for photo or video editing and other media work. And with a USB-C connection, students can connect and charge their laptop with a single cable.
Dell 27-inch USB-C monitor
Mouse: Logitech Marathon M720
Logitech
Your student is probably used to using a laptop touchpad, but for maximum productivity they really need a separate mouse. And this Logitech model is one of my favorites: big enough to be comfy for extended use, small enough to travel easily, and multiple years of battery life from a single AA. It’s also a fantastic deal at just forty bucks, and compatible with multiple machines at once thanks to a quick-switch button. For a student who’s constantly on the go, it’s the whole package.
Logitech travel mouse
Keyboard: Nuphy Air V2
Michael Crider/Foundry
As a keyboard nut, I’m usually prepared to recommend a huge, clacky keyboard for long typing sessions. But there’s a pretty good chance that your student will have to share a living space with someone in a dorm or an apartment…and that being the case, something a bit more unobtrusive is ideal.
So I’d say go with a Nuphy Air V2. This low-profile board has plenty of padding for quieter typing, and it’s easy to slip into a bag for longer sessions on the go. Once again multi-device pairing comes in handy, and you can go with the Air 60 for maximum portability or the Air 96 if your student does a lot of data entry.
Nuphy Air V2 low-profile mechanical keyboard
Noise-canceling headphones: Sony WH-CH720N
Sony
So you’ve picked a keyboard that won’t annoy your student’s roommate. What if said roommate isn’t so conscientious? This set of noise-canceling headphones from Sony should take care of that, and its Bluetooth connection will work with their phone for mobile music sessions, too. With an integrated mic that’s better than the usual headphone pack-in, it’ll be great for the occasional remote class.
Sony WH-CH720N noise-cancelling headphones
USB-C dock: Anker 555
Anker
Being able to pick up their stuff and head to class with a minimum of fuss is a big deal for a student — I would have killed for a USB-C laptop when I was in college, constantly unplugging a charger, monitor cable, and USB hub. Thankfully you can do it all with one cable now, and this Anker hub can handle it on the cheap.
With USB-C power, video-out, Ethernet for a reliable and fast wired internet connection, and multiple card readers, everything your student needs to connect to is just one cable away. It can handle up to 100 watts from a laptop charger without issue.
Anker 555 USB-C hub
Monitor Arm: Monoprice Single Monitor Adjustable Gas Spring Desk Mount
Matt Smith/Foundry
Odds are pretty good that your student won’t have a massive desk to work with, so space will be at a premium. There’s no better tool to free up space than a monitor arm, raising the screen to a more ergonomic position at the same time. This Monoprice model is a fantastic deal, and it can clamp onto the back of most desks, so there’s no drilling required. The all-metal construction with two swivel points and a gas spring should last well beyond graduation.
Monoprice Single Monitor Adjustable Gas Spring Desk Mount
Laptop stand: Metal Laptop Riser
Gogoonike
If your student needs even more space for books and other school materials, consider adding on this laptop stand to the setup. With plenty of lift and clearance it’ll make it easy to set up and break down, and that’ll put the laptop screen even with the monitor and make plenty of room for a mouse and keyboard.
Metal laptop riser stand
Monitor lamp: Melifo Monitor Light Bar
Melifo
Dorm lighting isn’t always great, and we’ve already covered the space crunch. You can address both of those problems with this LED work lamp that sits right on top of your student’s monitor. With adjustable lighting temperature it’ll cut down on eye strain, and you can power it right from one of the monitor’s standard USB-A ports. It even has a handy wireless controller. I use this model on my own desk, and highly recommend it.
Melifo Monitor Light Bar
USB drive: SanDisk 512GB Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C
SanDisk
Your student will probably be transferring most of their files wirelessly, but sometimes you can’t beat good old sneakernet. This 512GB SanDisk USB drive is massive, able to hold just about anything a student could throw at it (including high-definition video) at a super-fast speed. And with both USB-A and USB-C connections in the same tiny, metal housing, they’ll never be hunting for an adapter cable even for a phone or tablet.
SanDisk 512GB Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C
Desk Mat: Topographic Contour gaming mat
Siski
For the finishing touch on this student setup, add a nice, big desk mat. It’s a mouse pad that doubles as a food tray, because you know they’ll be snacking at the same time. I’ve bought this exact model for myself and I like it a lot, but you can find literally hundreds of different designs all over Amazon at low prices.
Topographic Contour gaming mat
So you’ve got your college student hooked up with a laptop and a backpack. They’re all set to take on the world, right? Well, yeah, but they’re gonna need a few accessories to really make the best of that dorm space. Hunching over a laptop screen for hours of studying isn’t exactly ideal.
Fortunately, we’ve got everything they’ll need to make the most of their setup in a one-stop shop. Kit them out with some or all of these extras, and they’ll be a studying, class-taking, test-passing machine. Or possibly just play a lot of League of Legends. Don’t judge, college is stressful.
I’ve ranked this list starting with what I consider the most essential additions to a standard laptop. If you’re on a budget, go for the top items first.
USB-C Monitor: Dell S2722DC
Dell
Dell
Dell
I think the number one thing you should equip your student with to maximize their productivity with a laptop is a monitor. Not only is it far bigger than their portable screen, the laptop becomes a secondary monitor when connected, giving them a serious boost in real estate and window management.
Dell makes super-reliable monitors at great prices, and this model has everything you could want. With a 27-inch display and a boosted 2560×1440 resolution, it’s bigger and sharper than a standard budget screen, and the IPS panel is color-accurate enough for photo or video editing and other media work. And with a USB-C connection, students can connect and charge their laptop with a single cable.
Dell 27-inch USB-C monitor$279 on Amazon
Mouse: Logitech Marathon M720
Logitech
Logitech
Logitech
Your student is probably used to using a laptop touchpad, but for maximum productivity they really need a separate mouse. And this Logitech model is one of my favorites: big enough to be comfy for extended use, small enough to travel easily, and multiple years of battery life from a single AA. It’s also a fantastic deal at just forty bucks, and compatible with multiple machines at once thanks to a quick-switch button. For a student who’s constantly on the go, it’s the whole package.
Logitech travel mouse$40 on Amazon
Keyboard: Nuphy Air V2
Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
Michael Crider/Foundry
As a keyboard nut, I’m usually prepared to recommend a huge, clacky keyboard for long typing sessions. But there’s a pretty good chance that your student will have to share a living space with someone in a dorm or an apartment…and that being the case, something a bit more unobtrusive is ideal.
So I’d say go with a Nuphy Air V2. This low-profile board has plenty of padding for quieter typing, and it’s easy to slip into a bag for longer sessions on the go. Once again multi-device pairing comes in handy, and you can go with the Air 60 for maximum portability or the Air 96 if your student does a lot of data entry.
Nuphy Air V2 low-profile mechanical keyboard$150 on Amazon
Noise-canceling headphones: Sony WH-CH720N
Sony
Sony
Sony
So you’ve picked a keyboard that won’t annoy your student’s roommate. What if said roommate isn’t so conscientious? This set of noise-canceling headphones from Sony should take care of that, and its Bluetooth connection will work with their phone for mobile music sessions, too. With an integrated mic that’s better than the usual headphone pack-in, it’ll be great for the occasional remote class.
Sony WH-CH720N noise-cancelling headphones$98 on Amazon
USB-C dock: Anker 555
Anker
Anker
Anker
Being able to pick up their stuff and head to class with a minimum of fuss is a big deal for a student — I would have killed for a USB-C laptop when I was in college, constantly unplugging a charger, monitor cable, and USB hub. Thankfully you can do it all with one cable now, and this Anker hub can handle it on the cheap.
With USB-C power, video-out, Ethernet for a reliable and fast wired internet connection, and multiple card readers, everything your student needs to connect to is just one cable away. It can handle up to 100 watts from a laptop charger without issue.
Anker 555 USB-C hub$50 on Amazon
Monitor Arm: Monoprice Single Monitor Adjustable Gas Spring Desk Mount
Matt Smith/Foundry
Matt Smith/Foundry
Matt Smith/Foundry
Odds are pretty good that your student won’t have a massive desk to work with, so space will be at a premium. There’s no better tool to free up space than a monitor arm, raising the screen to a more ergonomic position at the same time. This Monoprice model is a fantastic deal, and it can clamp onto the back of most desks, so there’s no drilling required. The all-metal construction with two swivel points and a gas spring should last well beyond graduation.
Monoprice Single Monitor Adjustable Gas Spring Desk Mount$66 on Amazon
Laptop stand: Metal Laptop Riser
Gogoonike
Gogoonike
Gogoonike
If your student needs even more space for books and other school materials, consider adding on this laptop stand to the setup. With plenty of lift and clearance it’ll make it easy to set up and break down, and that’ll put the laptop screen even with the monitor and make plenty of room for a mouse and keyboard.
Metal laptop riser stand$15 on Amazon
Monitor lamp: Melifo Monitor Light Bar
Melifo
Melifo
Melifo
Dorm lighting isn’t always great, and we’ve already covered the space crunch. You can address both of those problems with this LED work lamp that sits right on top of your student’s monitor. With adjustable lighting temperature it’ll cut down on eye strain, and you can power it right from one of the monitor’s standard USB-A ports. It even has a handy wireless controller. I use this model on my own desk, and highly recommend it.
Melifo Monitor Light Bar$39 on Amazon
USB drive: SanDisk 512GB Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C
SanDisk
SanDisk
SanDisk
Your student will probably be transferring most of their files wirelessly, but sometimes you can’t beat good old sneakernet. This 512GB SanDisk USB drive is massive, able to hold just about anything a student could throw at it (including high-definition video) at a super-fast speed. And with both USB-A and USB-C connections in the same tiny, metal housing, they’ll never be hunting for an adapter cable even for a phone or tablet.
SanDisk 512GB Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB-C$45 on Amazon
Desk Mat: Topographic Contour gaming mat
Siski
Siski
Siski
For the finishing touch on this student setup, add a nice, big desk mat. It’s a mouse pad that doubles as a food tray, because you know they’ll be snacking at the same time. I’ve bought this exact model for myself and I like it a lot, but you can find literally hundreds of different designs all over Amazon at low prices.
Topographic Contour gaming mat $13 on Amazon
Amazon’s Leadership and Corporate Culture: Lessons from Jeff Bezos
Amazon, one of the most influential and innovative companies in the world, has a corporate culture and leadership philosophy shaped largely by its founder, Jeff Bezos. Bezos’s approach to leadership and his vision for Amazon have set the company apart in the highly competitive tech and retail sectors. This article explores the key elements of Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture, and the lessons that can be drawn from Bezos’s unconventional methods.
The Bezos Leadership Philosophy
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994, and his leadership philosophy has been instrumental in driving the company’s success. Central to Bezos’s approach is a relentless focus on the customer. He famously emphasized, “We’re not competitor obsessed, we’re customer obsessed. We start with the customer and we work backwards.” This mantra has guided Amazon’s product development, customer service, and innovation strategies.
Bezos’s customer-centric philosophy manifests in various ways. For instance, Amazon’s customer service policies are designed to maximize customer satisfaction, often going above and beyond industry standards. This includes offering easy returns, fast shipping, and a broad range of products. The commitment to customer experience is not merely a slogan but a guiding principle that influences every aspect of Amazon’s operations.
Innovation and Risk-Taking
Another hallmark of Bezos’s leadership is a strong emphasis on innovation and risk-taking. Bezos has been known for his willingness to experiment and embrace failure as part of the innovation process. His approach is encapsulated in the principle that “failure and invention are inseparable twins.” This mindset has led to the creation of groundbreaking products and services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kindle, and Alexa.
Bezos encourages employees to think big and explore unconventional ideas. Amazon’s “Day 1” mentality, as described by Bezos, means treating every day as if it were the first day of the company’s existence. This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, where employees are motivated to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
The Two-Pizza Rule
Bezos’s leadership style also emphasizes the importance of small, agile teams. The “Two-Pizza Rule” is a notable example of this principle. According to this rule, teams should be small enough to be fed with two pizzas. The rationale behind this is that smaller teams are more effective at communicating and collaborating, which leads to faster decision-making and more innovative solutions.
The Two-Pizza Rule has influenced Amazon’s organizational structure, promoting a decentralized and flexible approach to management. It encourages teams to be autonomous and take ownership of their projects, leading to a more dynamic and responsive organization.
Long-Term Thinking
One of the defining features of Bezos’s leadership is his long-term thinking. Bezos has consistently prioritized long-term goals over short-term gains, a strategy that has often led to criticism from investors focused on quarterly results. However, Bezos believes that focusing on the long term is essential for building a sustainable and successful business.
This long-term perspective is reflected in Amazon’s investments in infrastructure, technology, and talent. For example, Amazon’s substantial investments in its fulfillment network and cloud computing services were made with the expectation of significant long-term returns. Bezos’s willingness to forgo immediate profits in favor of future growth has been a key driver of Amazon’s success.
Leadership Principles
Amazon’s leadership principles are a cornerstone of its corporate culture and reflect Bezos’s values and vision. These principles guide decision-making, employee behavior, and company policies. Some of the most notable principles include:
Customer Obsession: Always start with the customer and work backwards. Work to earn and keep customer trust.
Invent and Simplify: Seek out new solutions and simplify processes to make things easier for customers.
Hire and Develop the Best: Raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. Recognize exceptional talent and help them grow.
Deliver Results: Focus on the key inputs for your business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion.
These principles help create a unified company culture where employees are aligned with Amazon’s mission and values. They also serve as a framework for evaluating performance and making strategic decisions.
A Culture of High Standards
Bezos is known for his insistence on high standards, which is reflected in Amazon’s corporate culture. He believes that maintaining high standards is crucial for driving excellence and innovation. This approach has led to a demanding work environment where employees are expected to deliver exceptional results and continuously improve.
While this culture of high standards has contributed to Amazon’s success, it has also been a point of contention. Critics have pointed to the intense pressure and high expectations placed on employees, leading to concerns about work-life balance and employee well-being. Bezos and Amazon have addressed these concerns in various ways, including investing in employee benefits and programs aimed at improving workplace conditions.
Lessons for Other Organizations
Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture offer several valuable lessons for other organizations:
Customer Focus: Prioritizing the customer can drive innovation and create a competitive edge. Companies should continually seek to understand and meet customer needs.
Embrace Failure: Viewing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback can foster innovation and resilience. Encouraging experimentation and risk-taking can lead to breakthroughs.
Small Teams, Big Impact: Smaller, autonomous teams can be more agile and effective. Empowering teams to make decisions and take ownership can drive productivity and creativity.
Long-Term Vision: Balancing short-term pressures with a focus on long-term goals can lead to sustainable growth and success. Investing in future-oriented projects can pay off over time.
High Standards: Setting high standards and striving for excellence can drive performance and improvement. However, it is important to balance this with consideration for employee well-being.
Conclusion
Jeff Bezos’s leadership and Amazon’s corporate culture have been instrumental in shaping the company’s success and influence. Bezos’s focus on the customer, innovation, long-term thinking, and high standards has created a unique and powerful organizational environment. While there are challenges associated with this approach, the lessons from Amazon’s leadership can provide valuable insights for other organizations striving for excellence and growth.
