New technology rather than new clothes tops the list of purchases that are getting students revved up this year as they gear up for back to school, according to a recent poll sponsored by The Source.
Just 11 % of students surveyed said they look forward to showing off their new fashion choices, while more than half (53%) said they're excited about using and sharing technology with friends when they head back to school this fall – and some of the technology on their lists might not be what you'd expect.
"What surprised us most was, that along with laptops and smartphones, which have been hot items for several years now, a full third of students see headphones as a back- to-school essential. A quarter said they plan to use tech to help them stay fit," said Melanie Raposo, tech expert at The Source, a leading Canadian consumer electronics and wireless retailer that commissioned the survey.
The majority of students polled (74%) ranked laptops as a must-have this school year. The students also revealed that laptops and tablets aren't the only gadgets on their back-to-school shopping lists. Seventy per cent of students surveyed said a smartphone was a back-to-school essential, while 30% identified headphones as must-have gear.
"Fashion has traditionally been considered a back-to-school essential but the students we surveyed said they were more excited about technology," said Raposo. "They told us they want technology for traditional tasks like researching and completing assignments but they're also looking to stay connected and entertained."
More than 60% of students surveyed chose more than one piece of technology as a back-to-school essential. The main ways they said they plan to use technology during the school year ahead are:
- Research, studying and completing assignments at home (73%)
- Entertainment (57%)
- Staying connected with friends and family (43%)
- Working in the classroom (25%)
- Helping them stay active (25%)
Sixty-five per cent of Canadians plan to spend the same or more on technology this fall versus last year, with price (78%) and features (85%) ranking as the most important purchase considerations.
"We're expecting to see more of a trend toward wearables as students look to customize technology to match individual personalities and lifestyles – whether it be a pair of colourful headphones or a smart watch that tracks information like sleep, exercise or social media and syncs seamlessly with other devices," said Raposo.
