College life is packed with a workload of academics, such as projects, weekly discussions, and assignments. Digital copies of assignments are the most acceptable, and most tutors require students to submit soft copies. But it doesn’t mean hard copy materials are outdated. While buying a printer may seem costly and unnecessary in the short run, the value of having a personal printer extends beyond the mere role of printing assignments. Let’s check out several reasons why investing in a good printer is a life-saver for a college student.
Saves Money
College assignments, projects, and lecture notes are lengthy. Depending on the course and the subjects covered, printing can be costly, especially for end-of-semester projects and courses that involve more reading and writing. Finances are limited in college, and most collegians survive on part-time jobs. Therefore, it is prudent to save as much as you can. Think of how many assignments or projects you are supposed to print by the end of your course, keeping in mind that most campus printing services charge per page. While buying a printer may seem expensive upfront, it’s cheap in the long run.
Moreover, printing ink has become relatively more affordable. Currently, there are several trustworthy brands that offer quality ink at pocket-friendly prices. For example, using compatible inks can save you a significant amount of money and are reliable. So, you don’t have to worry about the additional costs associated with a printer. Furthermore, you can share the printer with your roommates, allowing for cost-sharing and cutting overall costs. You can use the money you save to pay for an essay, buy food, or channel it to other expenses.
Saves Time
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you need an assignment printed only to find a long queue in the library or the printer breaks down, and you end up submitting your work late? If you have ever experienced these frustrations, you understand how overwhelming it can be. A personal printer saves time by ensuring you can print materials anytime and saves you the hustle of waiting in long queues. It also means you don’t make trips to the local printer because the library line is too long. If you think of all the time spent running up and down looking for a printer, and how you can use the time to make the final touches on your work, you would agree the monetary value of having a printer is not as high as it seems.
Offers Accessibility and Convenience
Owning a printer allows you to print in the comfort of your room. You don’t have to go through the hustle of moving from the room to the library and back in to print documents. Moreover, you can print at any time, which is handy when handling assignments with tight deadlines. Having a printer gives you peace of mind due to its reliability and reduces anxiety, especially during busy periods such as project deadlines or exams.
Printed Work Is Still a Preferred Method for Lecturers and Students
Despite the emergence of digital learning and online assignment submission, a good number of tutors require students to submit their work in soft and hard copy. Also, most students still prefer to use printed lecture notes. Printed materials make it easy to comprehend and remember information due to physicality, especially for disciplines that require intensive reading, such as humanities and political science. If you prefer reading printed material, you should consider having a printer. Moreover, having a printer helps you to reduce screen time. Long exposure to screen time, for instance, when using a laptop to read softcopy materials, can affect the general health of your eyes.
Gives Flexibility
Having your printer comes with the freedom of printing any material you want. Library printing services are limited to academic work only, while campus printing services charge per page, limiting the freedom of printing anything you want. Owning a printer opens you to a world of possibilities where you are not limited to academic documents. You can use the printer to do personal projects such as resumes and cover letters, which will help you seize opportunities. You can even explore your passions by printing material for college clubs, making recipes for some friends, or decorating cards. With a printer, you can choose any material, academic or non-academic, allowing you to explore other interests.
Allows for Customization and Quality
You will do work or projects that require documents to be customized—for instance, brochures, cards, or assignments involving diagrams. Owning a printer ensures that you have the authority to customize documents the way you want. It gives you control over the quality of the paper used, paper type, and formatting styles that best suit your needs. It’s like when you buy assignments online; you would want them to be tailored to your specifications to be confident when turning them in.
Provides a Learning Opportunity
In the current world, having any additional skill is relevant and could be the difference between being good and the best. By operating and maintaining a printer, you’ll be able to learn valuable skills such as how to use a printer, change inks, and solve minor technical glitches. It will help to prepare you for office work. Moreover, modern printers have features such as Wi-Fi connectivity and allow for different types of papers, enabling you to be creative, especially with reports and creative projects.
Summing Up
Owning a printer is a life hack for surviving college. While the upfront cost of buying a printer may seem high, the benefits accrued are worth it. Owning a printer will help you save time since you will be able to print anytime and anywhere. You’ll also have control over the quality of your work and will not be limited to the nature of the materials you can print. Additionally, having a printer will ensure peace of mind and reduce the anxiety of tight deadlines. Moreover, you’ll be able to save money in the long run by avoiding the cost-per-page charges in campus printing stalls.