The Queen of POST-HIGH SCHOOL SURVIVAL TECH talk - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Careers and Colleges, March, 2000 by Don Rauf

We found some great gizmos and gadgets that may make life on your own a little easier.

If you think life after high school is going to be challenging, just think of what Buffy Summers' busy freshman schedule is like. U.C. Sunnydale keeps Buffy running with classes, parties, and of, course, nightly vampire slayage. (She could probably use our time management advice on p. 13.)

The surprising thing about television's Buffy is how many real problems she has to deal with in addition to the grim and ghoulish ones. Like many freshmen, Buffy faced roommate troubles when she moved in with the perky Kathy, a major Celine Dion fan. At first, Buffy gritted her teeth and tried to make nice. (For techniques, see "Roommate Rules," p. 44.) But Kathy's peccadilloes--putting her name on all her food in the fridge (including eggs) and clipping her toenails in bed--drove Buffy batty. Fortunately, it turned out that Kathy was a demon who had to return to the demon world.

Because she is on the meal plan, Buffy has given us a glimpse into the world of college cafeteria cuisine. "Parker teaches her how to sneak food into her pockets for eating later on," says Jenny Carroll, author of the teen novel The Mediator (Pocket/Pulse). (For advice on eating right, see "Surviving the Everyday Stuff," p. 20.)

Slayer fan Michael Sohn, a graduate student and assistant professor at Long Island University, points out that Buffy discovered the hard way the dangers of drinking too much in an episode in which heavy beer swillers turned into Neanderthals. "The show also comments on machismo at frats," says Sohn.

It's true that we have yet to see Buffy. really struggle with the Freshman 15 or buy a car or manage her money, but these are real life challenges that we provide some answers to in the pages ahead.

"Buffy could use that type of advice," says Brian Culver, a professor at Yeshiva University. "Slaying is no problem; it's the everyday stuff that gets her down."

Apple iBook, $1,599

AirPort Base Station, $299

Besides looking incredibly cool, the really innovative thing about Apple's iBook is that it's the first model to offer wireless Internet access--if you also buy the AirPort Base Station. You'll be able to surf the net at the bus stop, out on the campus quad, or during that boring bio lecture. With a 300-megahertz PowerPC G3 microprocessor, a built-in 56-K modem, and six hours of battery life, the iBook isn't just a pretty face.

Siemens Pocket Reader, $99.95

Throw out that old yellow highlighter. The Pocket Reader from Siemens is a text scanner that will make notetaking a snap. No more copying passages out of books. Roll the Pocket Reader over a sentence, then download the data to a Windows or Macintosh computer. A small screen lets you check the captured text.

Handspring Visor Deluxe, $249

Keep your schedule in the palm of your hand with Handspring's new Visor Deluxe handheld computer. The Visor comes in five colors and has eight megabytes of RAM, a built-in microphone, a USB connection, a leather case and the cradle needed to synchronize the device with a desktop computer. Works with both Windows and Macintosh systems.

Casio TV-880, $119.95

Never miss a moment of your favorite show with Casio's TV-880 handheld color television. The tiny boob tube comes with a miniature screen (2.3 inches), earphone and video input jack, rod antenna, and an anti-glare screen.

Sprint PCS Touchpoint, $200 Sprint PCS Wireless Web Service, $10/month

If keeping in touch 24/7 is your thing, the Sprint PCS Touchpoint phone may be for you. This flip phone with seven-line display also allows you to browse the Internet from virtually anywhere.

SkipDoctor, $34.99

Don't toss those scratched CDs! The SkipDoctor by Digital Innovations can bring your CDs back to life. Simply snap the damaged CD into the SkipDoctor, spray it with the provided resurfacing fluid, and turn the handle until the CD makes one full revolution. Presto! Music to your ears.

Y-Tech E-mail PostBox, $99.99

Don't have a computer, but want to stay in touch with friends and family over e-mail? The E-mail PostBox from V-Tech plugs into a standard phone jack and offers basic e-mail (no Web surfing, graphics, or attachments), a full-size keyboard, and compact design. The device can be ordered only through the Web site (www.vtechworld.com) or by calling (888) 468-8324; an e-mail account costs around $8 a month.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

We asked our College Advisory Board--all college freshmen--to tell us about life on their own. Here's what they had to say:

On time management,

"College is all about wise time management. You put things off and you get left behind in the dust because you are on your own. The professors go on with the material; if you aren't up to date on the assignments, it's your own fault."

Sylvette Reynoso

Boston University

Boston, MA

See "Get Time On Your Side," p. 13

On doing it all.

"One obstacle I face is doing everything on my own. I have to go to the doctor's on my own. I have to get to places on my own. I have to pay my phone bill on my own. Even though I live in the dorms, it's almost as if I live in my own apartment except my parents pay the rent. I faced the challenge by becoming responsible and realizing that if I didn't do it, then it would never get done."