Back to School: Computer Tips

This week's blog post is all about computer tips for going back to school / university. You've been using your computer or laptop practically every day, but did you know these things?

1) You can have separate "desktops"?

So if you hit windows key & tab key at the same time on Windows 10 you'll be brought to a screen where you can choose to open another desktop.

I highly recommend this for when you're studying - if you want to keep using your laptop during your break times then you can, just stick anything that's not related to the studying in a different desktop and swap to it for that break.

This also works if you have one project on the go but something else requires your attention and you don't want to get distracted.

How to Use Virtual Desktops in Windows 10 by How to Geek

This is a great, more in-depth look at the virtual / multiple desktops

2) f.lux

So I can't spend any time using my laptop without this enabled! It allows me to have a sort of orange light from my laptop rather than the normal "blue" light meaning I can spend longer on it without as much eye strain. This is key for when I was studying or writing on my laptop.

You simply enter your rough location and watch as the colour of the computer's display adapts to the sun and light.

3) Different Google profiles

So this is one I took a lot of advantage of when I was at uni. I had a different Google email, Chrome, YouTube account etc. set up for when I was studying. I'd use Spotify the same as when I wasn't studying, but everything else had a separate account.

This meant I wasn't being distracted by anything that wasn't meant for studying during that dedicated time, and during my breaks I could "swap" back to the other Google Chrome window with it's own bookmarks, history etc.

Anything I searched for while studying wasn't muddied in with my non-studying items which was great for going back to something the next day after I'd put down the books for the night. Odd tangent-y thoughts like "Myths about squirrels" or "Olympic Games man won without crossing half way mark". These stick to the non-study Google Chrome profile.

I highly recommend this for organisation when it comes to bookmarks! It's much less clutter and that helps to streamline your focus. "Tidy house, tidy mind", but the computer version of that.

This is a great how-to

4) Disable trackpad?

I am a terror for hitting my trackpad when I'm studying and causing all sorts of problems so I get around this by disabling it in the settings and using my mouse instead.

This stopped those problems from happening since I type with the palms of my hands resting over the trackpad. If you find you do the same then this is something you can take advantage of.

5) Customise to your heart's content

I have my 'theme' set to be blue because I like the colour and my Google Chrome is yellow because it's bright and happy.

I've named my laptop, and I've got windows under my name. Little things like this make using my laptop more fun and personal.

Do you want bigger icons on your desktop? Would having a different background appeal to you? Go ahead and change things up!

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Hey! Tara here and thanks for checking out my blog. I update every Tuesday with posts about studying tips, advice and talk about productivity and organisation too. If you want to keep up to date with my latest blog posts I’d love it if you subscribed to this blog.