Being at uni rocks. You’ve got so many new friends, some cool classes (as well as some less cool ones to suffer through), after hours parties to check out, a sweet new campus to explore… and WHAT NO FACEBOOK??!!

Internet access at university is liable to cause some headaches, including the aforementioned website blocking. Using a VPN can be the successful headache-easing prescription, to gain access to a free and open internet, even with your university’s internet issues.

Here are 5 reasons why you should use a VPN at uni.

1: Universities often restrict access to popular websites

Educational institutions are generally there for the purpose of education–strange, we know! This means that many universities seek to have students and staff access only education-related materials, cutting out the time wasters like social media and internet fluff like BuzzFeed’s “Pick a picture of a kitten and we’ll tell you what career in retail you should have”.

Using a VPN will allow you to browse Reddit for hours, or write endless tweets about how boring the lecture you’re currently in is. Pro tip: make sure your lecturer doesn’t follow you on Twitter.

2: Access region locked content for your assignment

THIS VIDEO IS NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR COUNTRY.

Arg! This old one again! If you keep running into content blocks for your region, this can be a major annoyance. It can also mean that you’re unable to access information that can be crucial to your studies.

VPNs can easily navigate a region block–just choose a server located in a country where the content is not blocked, directly from your VPN interface–especially handy if you’re travelling while studying, or are a remote student.

3: Stream content without restrictions

If you’re finding your internet speeds are not what they’re supposed to be at uni, it may be due to throttling. Throttling is when ISPs or internet administrators knowingly slow down your internet access.

This can be particularly annoying if you want to watch Netflix or stream a piece of relevant content, such as the keynote from another university’s conference on marketing.

While using a VPN, internet traffic is disguised, so your university will not know what you’re doing (i.e. streaming), allowing you to enjoy the throttle-free content.

4: Textbooks are expensive

Textbooks! In the digital age, you expect everything to be available online. While most textbooks now come with an online component, the cost of these is generally super high, running into hundreds of dollars–even if you purchase second hand.

But a VPN connected and unrestricted internet is your friend! You can find current and out of print textbooks, scientific articles, and textbooks on sites such as Library Genesis, even if your university blocks them.

A VPN means you’ve got a handful more resources without forking over hundreds in book fees.

5: Don’t let your university know your private browsing habits

Come on, who really wants our university knowing what we’re up to online? Do we really want them to know that we’re browsing videos of cats in boxes for 3 hours straight when we have an assignment due? No, we do not.
If you use a VPN, all your traffic is all encrypted, which means you could have been browsing Congress transcripts for 8 hours rather than reading Riverdale fan fiction for all they know.

Going to university soon? Get a VPN!

Want unrestricted access, non-throttled speeds and a secure connection (who knows how many people you’ll be sharing Wi-Fi with?), get the best VPNs on your university essentials list!

Using a VPN at university is a no brainer. Protect yourself, and protect your unfettered internet access by grabbing yourself a VPN service for use at uni!