By Steven Rothberg

Well, it's that time of the year again. When students start their return to school. Yet even though some aren't excited about switching from their summer to a fall routine, they should get excited about some of the new wonderful products and services available this year that will help to ease that transition:

1. One company that does a great job creating products that students love is Nintendo. Every season they come out with great new video game systems and games, and this season is no exception. While many loving parents and relatives may want to buy something practical, most students are rightly craving the new Game Boy Advance SP. Sporting a sleek, new flip-top design, the GBA SP looks more like an electronic organizer than a game machine yet it is small enough to fit into any pocket or purse. Also, with 300 awesome games like the new Donkey Kong Country, guys and girls alike will have a blast with the GBA SP. Remember, although it is okay to hurl a bananas at an on-screen opponent, it isn't okay to hurl a banana at your loved ones, even if they neglect to buy you the new Donkey Kong Country game.
2. Okay, so you've got your new GPA SP and a handful games. How are you going to carry them around? Case Logic's technology accessories makes it easy to keep your hand held video games, MP3 players, laptops, CD players, PDAs and cell phones close by – and protected. Tony Hawk, Dave Mirra and Shaun Palmer, the world's foremost athletes in skateboarding, BMX and snowboarding, have teamed up with Case Logic to create a new line of action sport accessories, including 24 capacity CD/game wallets, Game Boy shuttle cases, and Game Boy large capacity cases.
3. If you're a sporting enthusiast, but looking for a way of exercising your hiking rather than your video game muscles, then you'll want one of the 29 new day packs from High Sierra Sport Company. The packs are constructed of 600-denier fabrics and include multiple compartments for better organization, padded computer sleeves, cell phone pockets on the shoulder straps, Vapel Mesh padding (mesh-covered foam that wicks moisture), reflective accents and color combinations of purple, green, blue, red and charcoal.
4. Before leaving for your hiking trip, you're going to want to do some research to make sure that you're well prepared. Whether you're hiking close to or far from home, you'll love the Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2004 multimedia encyclopedia. This superior software reference suite will help you discover the world with continual updates that transform timely information into learning. It features Discovery Channel video content, a captivating new browser, a homework center to guide you through projects from beginning to end, an update feature to keep the content current as the world changes, and more.
5. Once you know where you're going and what you're going to do, be sure to pack the right clothes. Great t-shirts are sure to be on your list, and there's no better place than T-ShirtKing.com. This awesome site features hundreds of t-shirts in varying styles, colors, sizes, you name it. In fact, after you name it, they'll be delivered to your door within days.
6. For women and kids, another great source for clothing is Preppy Chicks. Pick from hundreds of shirts, pants, sweatshirts and other options and then have Preppy Chicks custom embroider them for you in your choice of style, size, lettering and color! Whether you want your name in pink on your shirt or your boyfriend's name in red on your butt, this is the place.
7. If you're going to hike, you're going to get hungry. Time for some protein, right? But no one wants to haul around a whole jar of peanut butter when all you want is a quick bite. To the rescue are Skippy Squeeze Stix and Squeez' It, both of which are awesome squeezable peanut butter products. Squeeze Stix are great-tasting, real creamy Skippy peanut butter in single-serving, portable tubes for convenient, on-the-go snacking. Squeez' It is the same great peanut butter but in a convenient, easy-to-squeeze, multi-serving tube. Now it is even easier to enjoy Skippy anytime and anywhere. Oh yeah. They're also great for school lunches.
8. While on your hike, you're going to watch to shoot some great photos. From the company that is synonymous with photography, Polaroid, comes the all-new Polaroid One instant camera. It provides a sleek, contemporary update to the classic Polaroid One Step camera that has been a favorite for more than 20 years. Building on Polaroid's strength in instant technology, the One delivers the fun and spontaneity of instant photography, combined with the appeal of a more compact, stylish and portable camera.
9. If your taste in cameras is more on the digital end, then you're going to love what Microsoft has just released. To help make digital photography even more convenient, Microsoft has developed a complete photo software system that enables users to easily find, enhance, arrange, share and archive their photos: Microsoft Digital Image Suite 9.
10. Once you have your photos in hand, you'll want to share and take good care of them. Two great options are the Ribbon Memo Board and Photo Box Frame from the Maya Angelous Life Mosaic Collection from Hallmark. The Ribbon Memo Board is perfect for posting favorite photos and important notes. The Photo Box Frame can be filled with treasured photographs.
11. If you're going to share your photos with friends and family on-line, now you can add sound to your photos! SoundPix allows you to embed sound directly into an ordinary JPEG image, the most commonly used digital imaging format, so you can play back and share those sounds at any time. Now you can send talking photographs as attachments to your emails.
12. Another innovation for email is riteMail, the first unified note taking application that enables you to take handwritten notes on your PDA or other mobile device and send that handwritten note to any email address. The recipient can read the handwritten note in the body of the email message and instantly respond in their own handwriting without having to download and install riteMail or any other software.
13. On your way home, you're going to want to share your adventures with your friends and family. Drive safely. If you need to talk on the phone, use a hands-free headset. Two great options from JABRA, a leading provider of hands-free communication products, are the EarSet WindUp and ProBoom. The JABRA EarSet WindUp, which incorporates the award-winning JABRA EarSet for mobile phones, conveniently manages the headset's cord through a lightweight, compact, retractable device that fits in the palm of your hand, pocket or purse. The JABRA ProBoom features an ultra-lightweight, full-length boom with a noise-canceling microphone to enhance clarity for voice-enabling dialing. An in-line volume control with electronic amplifier augments speaker volume so users can boost it beyond the level of their handset alone.
14. Whether you drive your own car or borrow someone else's to go hiking, you'll want to make sure that it is functioning and being driven properly. To accurately and easily monitor vehicle and driver performance, use the CarChip by Davis Instruments. The CarChip package consists of a “black box” data logger that is tiny – about the size of two 9-volt batteries stacked together – a CD with software for analyzing the data, and a connecting cable and power adapter. The data logger plugs into the OBDII connector in your car, and continuously collects and stores data from the car's computer control systems. Later, you use the cable and power adapter to download the information to your PC. Very slick.
15. Now that you're home, it is time to start looking your best again. For women, Wahl has a great new 2-in-1 curling iron/texturizer. The DUET is the first curling iron and texturizer in one for both curling and straightening capabilities. It is the first tool to work with the cut-in layers and texture of your hair. With both concave and convex heating barrels, the texturizer provides a lift that a flat iron cannot. The DUET is perfect for hair that is styled to flip up or under, creating a more natural-looking flip.
16. Okay, you're looking your best. Time to go out and have some fun. If you need a bag and want to show your support for Auburn University, Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, University of Alabama, University of Oklahoma or University of Texas, then you'll love Bagalogos! The quality of these totes exceed those of Coach bags, so you'll want to carry these daily. Exquisite care is given to the presentation of logos, construction of the bag, details, finish and overall appearance of the bags.
17. Another great tote offers a different way to show your support, but this time you can support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Students, moms, businesswomen and stylish consumers will be delighted with the new BMW Ultimate Drive Tote. This high quality canvas tote features pink gingham lining and pink ribbon closure featuring a stitched BMW The Ultimate Drive for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation logo on the front panel.
18. If going out must wait until after you get your apartment or dorm set up, then you're going to love The Container Store. While they have hundreds of products to help you keep everything easy-to-find and accessible, here are a few favorites. CD Wallpaper is a unique combination of media storage and home décor. It features a poster-size polypropylene background and individual non-stick sleeves for 24 CDs. Mesh Shower Tote keeps your soaps and scrubs in one portable place to minimize morning mayhem. This silvery mesh tote allows your shower accessories to drip dry between showers. Post a few of your favorite things on your new Swirl Notice Board. Each board includes three Swirl Pushpins to display notes, photos, cards, menus, coupons or invitations. You'll be amazed at how useful your new roomy Laundry Pack is. There are side zippers for easy access to lots of clothes. A side pocket stores a handy supply of detergent. Wear it as a backpack and leave your hands free for other stuff. Color your world with your new Calypso Rectangular Nested Boxes. Made of recycled fiberboard for durability, the set of three boxes offers a variety of storage solutions – from office supplies and photos to scarves and fashion accessories.
19. Getting a new place set up can be a pain at the best of times, but downright nasty without the right tools. The Barbara K Do-it-yourself Toolkit includes high quality tools designed with women in mind: claw hammer, pliers, level, screwdriver, wrench, measuring tape, hex key with ring, putty knife and assorted fasteners. These superb tools feature distinctive ergonomic designs; spring-assist grips; slip-proof, cushioned grips; lightweight (not light duty); guaranteed forever; and an exclusive 84 page how-to book.
20. Many who decorate rooms focus on their walls, perhaps because it has always been too difficult or expensive to do much with floors. No longer. InterfaceFLOR tiles can be rearranged easily to transform the look of a room to fit any season, mood or furniture layout. Additionally, InterfaceFLOR is quickly replaceable and easily cleanable - individual tiles can be washed in the sink. You can install InterfaceFLOR on most surfaces (linoleum, vinyl, hardwood or concrete), and the product can be used in almost any room. They even have pre-packaged area rug and wall-to-wall options in a variety of colors, patterns and textures. .
21. If you'll be sharing your bathroom with guys, my sympathies. But at least you can minimize the, ahem, mess with the Johnny Light. Originally intended as a gentle reminder to boys and men to put the seat down and to prevent embarrassing or dangerous splashdowns for women of all ages, the Johnny Light is a great gift for anyone.
22. After all that hiking and getting your room ready, I'm afraid that you'll actually have to buckle down and get your work done. Even so, there are ways of making that work a joy. One way is with the Encyclopedia Brittanica 2003 Ultimate Reference Suite. Bursting with knowledge on every subject, Encyclopædia Britannica 2003 Ultimate Reference Suite is unique: a complete home reference library that makes finding information easy for every member of the family, from grade school to graduate school and beyond. The Ultimate Reference Suite features three complete reference libraries — one for every age and reading level — so every family member has just the right encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, thesaurus, and timeline.
23. Another great tool is a writing tool or, better yet, a bunch of them. For great writing instruments, stationery and other back-to-school items, you'll want to stock up on those by JAKKS Pacific's Flying Colors division. Some of their more enjoyable products are Nickelodeon Nick-tivities activity toys, back-to-school products and reusable compounds including Goooze and Zyrofoam.
24. While there's no replacement for a good highlighter or other writing instrument, now there are some fantastic supplements. The IRISPen II is a great choice for those studying from textbooks. Rather than highlighting passages, and later getting less money when you sell your textbooks, use the pen-sized IRISPen II scanner to enter text, numbers, bar codes and handwritten numbers into any Windows or Mac application. The result? Real editable text, right at the cursor position. No more need to re-type. Just scan and edit!
25. If you're interviewing or involved in a lot of professional meetings, you're likely collecting more business cards than you know what to do with. The solution? The IRIS Business Card Reader II, a state-of-the-art business card management solution to create and update your electronic address book. Use the small and light scanner to scan your business cards in black and white or color. The Cardiris 3 software, which is included, analyzes the information and sends it to the right fields of the database. Amazing!
26. Another electronic marvel that is sure to make your studying more productive and enjoyable is the Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Silver Edition. Glitter-packed and translucent, the TI-83 looks sharp but is also loaded with a ton of applications for subjects from algebra to chemistry, and from language arts to history. It's also equipped with a powerful organizer so you can store class schedules, phone numbers, email addresses, dates, tasks and other important information. It even comes with a USB cable so you can download tons of applications, programs and games from the Internet. Definitely not your father's TI.
27. Time to take a study break and have some good old fashioned fun with your friends. Game night tonight? Then Cranium will be the game of choice. Named the 2001 Game of the Year by the Toy Industry Association, Cranium is the hot, outrageously fun party game that brings friends and family together through a variety of activities celebrating your whole brain.
28. Looking for an even newer game? Don't Quote Me is a brand new board game that features both engaging game play and unique pentagon packaging. This well designed game is informative, fun to play and rich in content based upon the most memorable lines of our times…and the amazing characters behind them. Your task is to identify the correct speaker of famous, poignant, sparkling and humorous quotations.
29. If you're single and find it hard to get up the nerve to talk with members of the opposite sex, you'll love 52 Card Pick Up, a new product aimed at the singles market specifically for the purpose of breaking the ice and making an introduction. Packaged similar to a deck of cards, 52 Card Pick Up features 52 different conversation starters that range from open-ended questions and fill-in-the-blanks to fun sayings with a space on the back to write a personal message. Created by two blonds with one great idea, these cards are ideal for a variety of social settings so you can use them in a bar, coffeehouse or gym.

-- Steven Rothberg is the President and Founder of CollegeRecruiter.com.

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