A Grad Student's Staple: The To-Do List

Time management can be a pain in the butt. I'm one of those people who has both a full-time job and a full-time graduate school course load, keeps a blog, has a few writing projects going, and still makes time for her family, friends, and boyfriend. (I also watch way too much TV, have a pet cat, and spend two hours a day commuting.) You other grad students know exactly what I'm talking about, even if your daily tasks vary from mine. To new grad students, I recommend one of the simplest strategies: the to-do list.

Like the calendar, the daily to-do list helps you keep everything straight--you probably used one in undergrad. I have one on my personal blog because I get a kick out of using HTML tags to cross off the tasks I've completed (i.e. Write a blog post), but it can be as basic as a small notebook stored in your pocket, purse, or backpack. If toting more paper around isn't your style, consider these electronic options for use on your computer and/or mobile device:

• Ta-Da List: Ta-Da List helps you keep track of daily and weekly tasks, allows you to make lists (so under "Pay Bills," you can list "Comcast" and "electric"), and share your lists with family and friends. Check off each item's box to keep track of your progress. It also works on the iPhone. This option is free, 100% of the time.
  

• Remember the Milk: This one can be used on an iPhone, Blackberry, or Android phone, as well as with your Google Calendar, Gmail, or Twitter account (send direct messages with updates right to your list!). PC World says it "reinvents the to-do list." Pro Accounts cost $25 per year and you must upgrade to one to use the iPhone app, but why not just register a free account and log in from your mobile device's browser to avoid paying the money?

• And if you want some more creative ideas for to-do lists (or you just want to know what other people are up to), check out the To-Do List Blog.

Keeping a list is great because I often find myself staring at it after completing a task, asking, "Is there anything else I can do right now?" That exact scenario is why this blog post went up today, not on Tuesday. But remember, the most important thing when keeping a to-do list is to actually follow it and cross off completed tasks. No organization tool will help if you don't use it!

Tweets, Updates and Posts: Keeping in Touch in the 21st Century

Graduate school takes me far away from family and friends, and keeps me busier than ever. Luckily, keeping in touch these days is a snap using social media.

• Twitter equals texting online without the obligatory phone plan. Those obsessed with this microblogging medium blast off an obscene number of 140 character tweets a day. The world does not need to know that you brushed your teeth at 11:45 pm in Boston, MA, on August 6, 2010, but tweeting is a good way to briefly inform people of the flourishes in your life.

• Facebook: Most take the time to check out other people’s business on Twitter and even more so on Facebook. Once relegated to college students, this online community has expanded to include everyone who wants to join, among them a few of my family members as well as the various family members of my friends. These connections are often awkward, but when trying to keep in touch, Facebook has its advantages. For example, when my parents compare notes on who talked to me last, my 16-year-old brother (a Facebook junkie) will casually mention one of my status updates that popped up in his newsfeed. Sign of life confirmed. (Which also teaches us a valuable lesson. If you want to stay hidden from family, stay off Facebook.)

• Blogging, the lazy emailers grace: I love blogging. Not only do I get to be as creative, wacky and outrageous as I want, I can reach out and touch a million people (read: two dedicated readers) with just one post, a glorious departure from the laborious email. You could cut and paste to save time with emails, but you’ll waste even more tailoring each to the intended recipient. Instead, sign up for a free blog on WordPress or Blogger. Personalize it with music, photos, videos and other interactive media. Post some details about your week and knock out your “must email” list with one click. 

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Free Internet Access for Students on the Move

Whether Verizon/Comcast/RCN screwed up again or you're just stuck studying far from home, every grad student needs easy Internet access--and getting stuck paying an hourly rate while trying to stick to a budget is never fun. Thankfully, many shops and restaurants are recognizing this need and rising to the occasion by eliminating fees, required log-ins, and other hurdles many Internet-seekers had to jump over in the past. Here are some coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants that feature free wireless Internet, no matter your location (just make sure you're using a WiFi-enabled device!):

• Starbucks recently quit charging for unlimited Internet. While you're there, use some of Get Grad Schooled's budget-friendly coffee shop tips!
• Panera Bread has free WiFi hotspots at all locations. Their salads and sandwiches are pretty phenomenal, too.
  
• Au Bon Pan offers a location search on its web site to help patrons discover if their local cafe is WiFi-enabled. Some locations have a six-hour limit.
  
• The New England-centric Boloco is a popular spot for burritos, smoothies, and of course-- free WiFi.
  

And if a quieter, less aromatic atmosphere is more your studyin' style, then the national bookstores might be your salvation. Both Barnes & Noble and Borders now offer free WiFi to all patrons. Libraries often have free access, either in general or by using an easily-obtained--and free--library card, so check your local library's policies, too.

If you prefer avoiding the chains, visit the web sites of (or pick up the phone and call) your nearby independent stores and eateries to discover which locations have WiFi, and never be without free Internet again!

The 5 Best Free Software Downloads for Students

That new laptop was expensive enough. Why pay an arm and a leg for all the software you need to make it functional? Fortunately, there's a jaw-dropping amount of free software available on the web if you know where to look. Unlike, say, Microsoft Office, it's free. Also unlike Office-- it actually works.

1. Browsers
Okay, so even people living under rocks, in caves, or on Mars have heard of Firefox by now. It's a great and more secure alternative to Internet Explorer, but have you tried Chrome? Google's shiny new browser offers most of the accessibility of Firefox and it runs much faster.
Windows/Mac/Linux compatible.




2. Office/Word Processing
There are at least two great programs offering every feature of Microsoft Office for free: Open Office, compatible with all operating systems, and NeoOffice, which is designed specifically for Mac users. (Hey, that Mac was expensive enough; you don't want to pay extra just so you can open all the .doc or .docx files people insist on sending you.) Both Open Office and NeoOffice allow you to create text documents, spreadsheets, slideshows, and more. They have all the same tools and functions, but without the creepy paper clip.
You can even try using GoogleDocs in lieu of actual software. And then you'll be able to access all your assignments from any computer.

3. Design and Image Editing
Hands down, the best free Photoshop alternative is Gimp (GNU Image Manipulating Program). It can do just about everything Photoshop can do, and the price is...oh, that's right. There is no price. Best of all, it's compatible with all operating systems. Even Linux users are in luck!

4. Video
VLC is a great application that will play any video or audio file format you can think of with very little fuss. Much more reliable and comprehensive than Winamp, Windows Media Player, DivX, or Quicktime.
Windows/Mac/Linux compatible.

5. Anti-Malware/Spyware
Now that you have that nice laptop with all your important files and assignments on it, you'd better protect it. (Mac and Linux users-- you're off the hook for this one; PC users-- pay attention).
PandaCloud Antivirus
Recommended by PC World, PandaCloud is widely considered to be the best free antivirus software out there. It detects problems using your internet connection, so you don't need to update or download massive files to keep it current.
AdAware has the capability to detect patterns in malware threats, and you can set it to handle problems automatically. While upgraded versions do cost money, the basic version is free.
Avast! Free Antivirus improves with every new version. If there's trouble brewing within your PC, Avast! will find it at no cost.