In a world dominated by gadgets and technology, every person needs to master at least some technical skills. Most students have been using technology for a long while for their studies, but in the post-pandemic world, technological literacy is a must.
Without it, it’s almost impossible to study successfully nowadays. A mere book review will take ages to be done, and finding a reliable online essay writing service like EssayHub will prove to be something out of reach.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of tech skills that are indispensable for every student. Check if you possess them all!
Typing
This is so basic – but are you sure you can type really well? Every student can use the keyboard, of course, but given the amount of typing that needs to be done, it’s essential to do it fast.
If you still type slower than you need to, there are special techniques that can help you type faster. If you learn them, you’ll instantly see your productivity improve drastically. So, don’t spare time for this.
Using Office Suits
Let’s make it clear: you don’t have to use Microsoft Office if you don’t want to. Still, there’s no getting away from using some kind of similar software that will help you create text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Using the software may seem simple, but it does require some time to master. For example, there are a lot of lesser-known functions that can help you work faster and perform fewer actions to get the same result.
As for the software, here are some alternatives to MS Office:
- Google Docs;
- Apple iWork;
- Apache Open Office;
- FreeOffice.
Google Docs is probably the best choice for students as it also offers free cloud storage and synchronization between all of your devices.
Searching the Web
Research skills are essential for every student, and research is mainly done using the internet. So, you should know how to search the web to find the information you need.
Not that we doubt that you can use Google to find the weather forecast for tomorrow – but proper research is a quite different thing. You should know a lot of unobvious things like how to use advanced search and filters, how to tell a reliable source from an unreliable one, or to formulate a truly relevant request.
However, if you lack these important skills right now, you can get help from an online service. Still, don’t forget that it’s not a substitute for your skills but an emergency option meant to be used wisely.
Using Databases and Online Libraries
Often, a wise search is not enough, especially if you need to do a complex assignment like writing a research paper. In this case, you’ll need to use online libraries and databases that are not always easy to navigate.
Luckily, most online repositories most frequently used for academic research have user-friendly interfaces. But this is not always the case. Some of them are rather difficult to navigate and even require using SQL requests.
So, it’s good to know at least something about how databases function. If you also know SQL, you have all chances of becoming a true pro at research.
Navigating Social Media
Social media can be a gold mine if you know how to use them. For example, take LinkedIn – there’s so much to advance your career! Other social networks can also be extremely useful: through them, you can gain knowledge, build your personal brand or promote yourself as a content creator.
Still, there’s more to social media today than just post something and answer the comments. You need to make content plans, watch your statistics, engage in promotional activities, customize ads, and more.
All this takes a lot of time to learn, but these skills are invaluable in the modern world. What’s more, you may like SMM so much while you learn how to do it that it may even become your profession!
Basic System Administration
There are professional system administrators working for businesses, but for your laptop or PC, you are your own sysadmin. And you’d better do your job well – unless you want to suddenly find all your work gone for good.
To avoid it, don’t forget to do some basic maintenance regularly:
- delete or store on an external device everything you don’t need anymore;
- update the system and all the software;
- install antivirus software;
- turn on the firewall;
- protect your device with a strong password.
Still, remember that whatever you do to protect your data, no system or device is 100% reliable. A backup or two has never done anyone any harm, so save everything valuable on external devices.
Wrapping Up
These were just a few – and the most essential – tech skills that every student needs to master in order to study successfully. But there are more to cover, of course. In the modern world, all tech skills come in handy, so the more you have – the better!
