working at the uni tips

Hello, maybe you study with me here at solent or otherwhere around the world, it does not matter.

Uninetworks tend to be restrictive, unflexible and not workable, especially for IT-Students. So I did/installed/bought some things to make my life a lot easier, maybe you can use some things, too. Maybe not. Just read further.

1. Dropbox

Most Uninetworks have a system to store files and even to download them from home. But otherwise around? Mostly no chance to get files from home to the uninetwork and if you tend to forget or loose your usb-stick that could be bad or worse for your assignments and files.

This is where Dropbox comes in handy. Its syncs the files from your different computers (Windows, Linux, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android mobiles and Blackberrys) and makes them available for you where ever is an internet-connection and one of the mentioned compatible devices.

Dropbox is nice for making Backups, too. Sharing Files with friends and even a Photogallery can be pubished to your friend, by simply uploading your Photos to a Folder.

Get Dropbox here: http://www.dropbox.com/
Installation-instructions should be very self-explanatory for almost everyone. Btw: You get an Bonus of 250MB on top of your 2GB free account if using my provided link. It means I invited you and I get bonus space, too.

2. Portable Apps

Like said, mostly you will have a uni account, a folder to store files and lots of computers to use, but no rights to install programms. But wait a minute: a folder to store files? That should do it.

http://portableapps.com/ is a site and project, which aims to provide portable versions of many free Open Source Software. You can use them stored on an usb-drive or your uni-account folder, with any Windows PC.

You will find everything you need within the Portable Apps. Favorites like Firefox, Skype, miranda IM (for ICQ, MSN, Jabber and others messenging protocols) as well as a portable Java runtime, notepad++ for syntax highlighting or even a full featured OpenOffice suite, ready to run from your usb-stick or unifolder without the need for installation rights.

3. Get a prepaid sim card with mobile broadband access

Huh? Yeah! If you do not have one, get one. if your mobile is not capable of sharing the internetconnection with other devices, get an usb-dongle, too. They will always be some, so-called, Ports, which the network stuff keeps closed. If you need them, you have your own internet connection without restriction. Be aware that most mobile providers block programms that uses a huge amount of bandwidth, like video chat application skype, for instance. Inform yourself before buying or buy an other card the next time.

Do not make contracts on mobile internet, unless you rely on it the whole time. It is not worth it. Here in britain 3 seems to be a good choice for mobile internet. At least I do not have regret that I bought a simcard from them. I costs 10Pounds a month, where you can decide which topup you would like for the 10Pounds, depending on the user-type you are, or just leave the 10Pounds on your account and you will be charged from that for what you use. Thats at least how I understoud it. You get free internt with every top up. it's around 1GB before they cut your connections speed. Thats more than enough for surfing the web, send mails and download small files now and then.

4. Make a blog or wiki for yourself

Open a blog, wiki or a wordfile in your dropbox and write about your experience, how you solved problems (uni or with collegues) or anything what concerns you. This do not have to be public, it helps you do solve a problem again, even new ones and you can give friends advice. In addition you learn how to manage yourself: in fact you learn about your own style of learning and your confidence in reaching your goals will rise significantly. With this, your chances to succed will rise, too. You can open a blog at https://www.blogger.com/start

5. Organise your work

There is a lot of stuff to do. Different stuff. Every lecturer wants to see his work done. Nobody cares how much you have to do in the other courses you got. So you need a tool to oraganise your tasks. They will get more and more, fast.

This is where any planning or organising Tool comes in handy. Simple ToDo Lists won't do the job as you have to plan over weeks and most tasks need subtasaks done. ToDo lists will not work here.

I had good experience with Task Coach for some projects I have done. And I believe it is very good to plan tasks, keep an overview of due dates and getting things done. It is not a GTD (Getting Things Done) program, but it includes some of the methods.

It can manage tasks with Subtasks, it can stop the time you are working on a specific task or subtask and you can also split your tasks in Categories, if you like to. The most annoying thing with it, like with other tools: You have to think about a structure and fill it by yourself ;). In every other manner, it works like a charm.