Because I just finished my freshman year of college, I remember my computer-buying experience perfectly. My dad kept asking me about it, and eventually my brother was the one to decide on a computer so I just got the same one. We’re twins, so it's okay if we match in every single way (but we don’t, I promise!).

Anyway, when we finally got our graduation gift in cash, our first thought was to spend it on a computer, not only because we would use it constantly, but because every one of our siblings did this as well. As you can see, I’m really a follower even though I totally seem like a leader.

Back on topic, though, halfway through my second semester at college my computer crashed and had to be sent back to get fixed. I was scared to be without my computer but to be honest, after the experience I kind of liked not having a computer 24/7. Below are the amazing facts and benefits of not having a computer at college.

You're Forced to Socialize.

After you finish panicking over what I just said, hear me out. I had to go the computer lab in my dorm and I actually talked to a lot of people; a surprising amount, actually. I was just typing away and then someone would come in sit next to me and start a conversation. Granted, most of them were boys and probably just flirting, but talking is talking!

Most of my encounters in that computer lab were with guys, which is very surprising to me because not only am I the most awkward human being ever but I was wearing day old jeans with a stain on the knee and a wrinkled old sweatshirt, and my hair looked like a rat's nest.

Not having a computer made it so that I had to go to a place that people could actually talk to me. If I had my computer, then I would have been isolated away in my room contemplating life and brownies instead of actually talking to people. Not having a computer made me more accessible to people, and I really liked that because I got to know more people. Who knew that would happen from my computer crashing.

You Discover What’s Always Been There.

Now, this one may just be because I was just a little freshman who didn’t know anything about college, life but I learned that my college library has computers, phones, and more available for check out. So, all I had to do was take a little stroll over to the Albion library and then I had my own computer for the next four hours.

I never knew something like that existed and it made me think why I bought a computer in the first place! This cool tidbit also enabled me to get out of my dorm more.

As a very awkward freshman, I probably spent more time in my dorm than I should have but this incident made it so that I had to go to the library. I liked that overall because I not only learned more about my library and what’s available for me but I also saw what events were going on at the time.

I went to a pizza party all because I was down the hall studying from it. Thank you to my computer that crashed, which is ironically the computer I'm typing on at this moment.

You Disconnect.

Because I only went on the computer when I absolutely had to, I could enjoy people’s company more and not get distracted by the big shining screen in front of me. It was nice to know that when I was in my dorm room all I could do was homework, listen to music on my phone, and knit. It was nice to disconnect and just live for a little while.

You Save Money.

Not owning a computer in college can be very beneficial because it’s $800 or more that you can save to pay for your education, and let’s be honest, every college student could use all the help they can get when it comes to paying off student loans. Just writing that sentence makes me a little sad.

Not having a computer gives you more money to spend on your dorm supplies or maybe that new shoes you’ve been looking at. The point is you can save money and who doesn’t love to do that.

This experience was a great one because it brought me out of my comfort zone and I meet a lot of great people during it. I also learned a lot about my campus and what’s happening and where to find that information out. So while you hold that graduation money in your hands, think to yourself, do I really need a computer for college?

Happy Spending!