Honestly, skip the fancy gear! Since you're in Seattle, just grab a Anker PowerCore 10000 10000mAh Portable Charger for those long study sessions on campus. I used one through my entire degree and it saved me so many times when the outlets were taken. Don't waste cash on stuff you dont need yet, just focus on keeping your machine running and portable. Youll thank yourself when you arent carrying a brick around!

To add to the point above: skip the fluff. Get a Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard for better typing, or a Samsung T7 1TB Portable SSD if you need extra storage space.

> I see people recommending vertical docks and mechanical numpads everywhere online, but that seems like overkill for my basic home office setup. Honestly, ignore all that extra fluff! You really dont need a vertical dock or some bulky numpad just to get through school. Save your money for stuff that actually protects your gear and makes typing less of a pain. Since you are in Seattle, you definitely need a solid bag to keep that laptop dry when it rains, and trust me, it will rain. Get yourself a decent sleeve like the Tomtoc 360 Protective Laptop Sleeve 13-14 inch to keep it scratch-free. It is super cheap and feels so sturdy. Then, grab a reliable wireless mouse because trackpads are the absolute worst for long study sessions. I love the Logitech Pebble M350 Wireless Mouse Silent because it is tiny, quiet, and fits right in your bag without taking up space. If you are typing a ton of essays, maybe pick up a simple laptop stand like the Nulaxy Adjustable Laptop Stand Aluminum to keep your neck from hurting. It basically folds flat and is a game changer for posture. Honestly, keep it simple and dont fall for the hype of gear you dont actually need!