Life-Ready Society · Teacher and parent pack · Intellectual dimension

Tech Self-Sufficiency

Set up devices, fix Wi-Fi, scan to PDF, roam abroad and get repairs.

8 lessons, about 1.6 hours of reading. Free lessons, videos and full sources: https://lifereadysociety.com/tech-self/

How to use this pack. Ask your teen or class to read one lesson online (about ten minutes), talk through the key points together, choose one practice task to try this week, then use the quiz to check what stuck. The answer key is on the last page. Free to print for home and classroom use.

The lessons at a glance

1. Setting up a new laptop and phone securely

A new laptop or phone for university is exciting, and the first hour you spend with it decides how safe it will be for years. Doing a few security steps on day one is far easier than recovering a stolen or hacked device later.

Key points

Update first, then install apps.
Screen lock plus encryption protects your data if the device is stolen.
Turn on Find My and backups before anything goes wrong.
Keep recovery keys somewhere other than the device they unlock.

2. Home Wi-Fi: setting up your router and fixing a slow connection

In a shared flat the Wi-Fi is often the first thing that breaks and the last thing anyone knows how to fix. Ten minutes of setup and a calm troubleshooting routine will make you the person who can sort it out.

Key points

Change default admin and Wi-Fi passwords, and use WPA2 or WPA3.
A central, raised, open spot gives the best signal.
Unplug, wait about two minutes, plug back in: then test.
A wired speed test tells you whether the problem is your Wi-Fi or your provider.

3. Printing, scanning with your phone and making PDFs

University portals, landlords and offices constantly ask you to 'upload a PDF' or 'bring a printed copy'. Knowing how to scan with your phone, make a clean PDF and print on campus saves you a panicked trip the morning a form is due.

Key points

Your phone is a good scanner: Notes or Files on iPhone, Google Drive on Android.
One clear, complete, well-named PDF beats several photos.
Use Save as PDF or Export to PDF from any document.
Campus printing usually means upload, then release with your card.

4. Fixing common problems yourself: storage full, slow laptop, frozen apps

At home someone else may have fixed things for you. On your own, most tech problems can be solved in a few minutes with a calm, step-by-step routine, before you pay anyone or panic before a deadline.

Key points

Save, restart and update fix a surprising number of problems.
Mac: Option Command Esc. Windows: Ctrl Shift Esc.
Offload or delete big apps and videos once they are backed up.
Use built-in tools, not pop-up cleaner apps; ask IT if problems persist.

5. Protecting your devices from theft, loss and damage

Your phone and laptop hold your coursework, money apps and photos. A little preparation means that if one is stolen, lost or dropped in water, you lose a device, not your work or your identity.

Key points

Record your IMEI and serial numbers now.
Out of sight, never unattended.
Locate, lock, report, block, and erase only as a last resort.
Wet phone: unplug, tap out, air dry; no heat and no rice.

6. Student software and tech discounts

As a student you may be able to get software free that would otherwise cost money every month. The trick is to check what your university already gives you before you pay for anything, and to plan for when that access ends.

Key points

Check your university's free software before paying for anything.
Education deals usually need a university email or ID to verify you.
Compare education prices with normal sales.
Student access ends when you leave: keep your own copies.

7. Your phone abroad: roaming, local SIMs and eSIMs

Landing in a new country with no data, or coming home to a huge roaming bill, are both avoidable. Decide before you fly whether you will roam, buy a local SIM or use a travel eSIM.

Key points

Check roaming charges and coverage before you fly.
Set a spending cap and use Wi-Fi for heavy data.
An unlocked phone gives you local SIM and eSIM options.
Keep your home number reachable for bank codes.

8. Getting a device repaired without losing your data or privacy

A cracked screen or a dead battery is not the end of the world, but handing over your phone with all your messages, photos and banking apps inside needs some thought. Choose the right repairer and prepare the device first.

Key points

Check warranty and insurance before paying.
Back up first: repairs may wipe your device.
Use Repair or Maintenance Mode, or Find My repair settings, to protect your data.
Never hand over your passcode or account password.

Talk about it, then try it

The real-life practice tasks from each lesson. Pick one or two a week and agree when you will check in.

Setting up a new laptop and phone securely
- Set up (or re-check) one device this week using the five sections above as a checklist, ticking each step.
- Find your encryption or FileVault recovery key information and write down where it is stored, away from the device.
- Log in to Find My, Find Hub or Microsoft Find my device from a different device and confirm your phone and laptop both appear.
Home Wi-Fi: setting up your router and fixing a slow connection
- Find your router's label and check whether the Wi-Fi and admin passwords are still the defaults. If they are, and you have permission, change them.
- Run a speed test next to the router and in your room, at two different times of day, and note the results.
- Practise the full restart routine once so you know how long your router takes to come back online.
Printing, scanning with your phone and making PDFs
- Scan a two-page document (any old letter) into a single PDF with your phone and check it is readable when zoomed in.
- Export one of your own documents to PDF from your laptop.
- Find your future university's printing page and note how you top up credit and release prints.
Fixing common problems yourself: storage full, slow laptop, frozen apps
- Check your phone's storage screen and free up at least 1 GB using the built-in recommendations.
- Practise the force-quit shortcut on your laptop with a harmless app (such as a calculator) so you remember it under pressure.
- Review the apps that launch when your laptop starts and turn off any you do not need.
Protecting your devices from theft, loss and damage
- Dial *#06#, record your IMEI and your laptop's serial number, and store them with your important documents.
- With a family member, practise locating your phone from another device and playing a sound.
- Check whether your phone and laptop are covered by any insurance (home contents, travel or a specific gadget policy) and what the excess is.
Student software and tech discounts
- Find your target university's IT services software page and list three programs you can get free or discounted.
- Check whether your school currently gives you free Microsoft 365 or similar access, and what happens when you leave.
- Make a list of every account linked to your school email and decide which to move to a personal email.
Your phone abroad: roaming, local SIMs and eSIMs
- Ask your current provider (or check its website) what roaming costs in the country where you plan to study.
- Check whether your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM.
- Write a one-paragraph 'phone plan' for your first week abroad: which line for data, which for bank codes, and how you will get online when you land.
Getting a device repaired without losing your data or privacy
- Write a short repair checklist for your own phone model using the steps in this lesson.
- Check whether your phone supports Repair Mode, Maintenance Mode or 'Ready for Repair' and find it in settings.
- Find your nearest authorised repair centre and your university's IT help desk, and note their contact details.

Quiz

Name: ______________________ Date: ____________ Circle one answer for each question.

1. According to the NCSC, why should you install software updates promptly?

They clear out any viruses that are already on the device for you
They free up storage by removing apps you have not used in months
They often include security patches for flaws attackers could exploit
They mainly add new features and make the device look more up to date

2. Where should you keep a FileVault or encryption recovery key?

On a sticky note inside the laptop lid, where you will see it
In a text file on the desktop of the same laptop, for easy access
Somewhere safe that is separate from the device it unlocks
Nowhere, as the device can always recreate the key for you

3. Which Wi-Fi encryption setting does the FTC recommend choosing?

WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal
WPS with the default router PIN
WPA, as used on older routers
WEP, which works with older devices

4. Your laptop gets fast speeds plugged into the router by cable but slow speeds in your room. What does this suggest?

Probably the Ethernet cable slowing down the connection
Probably your home Wi-Fi setup, not the provider's line
Probably a faulty laptop that needs to be replaced
Probably the provider's line, not your home Wi-Fi setup

5. On an iPhone, where can you find the built-in Scan Documents option?

In Settings, under Camera options
In the Notes app (and in the Files app)
In the Photos app, under Albums
Only in a paid scanner app from the App Store

6. When scanning with Google Drive on Android, what format should you choose for a document you need to upload?

ZIP folder
Plain text (.txt)
Audio file
PDF

7. What keyboard shortcut opens the Force Quit window on a Mac?

Ctrl, Shift and Esc
Command and Space
Option, Command and Esc
Control, Option and Space

8. What is the difference between offloading and deleting an app on an iPhone?

Deleting keeps the app's documents and data; offloading removes both
Offloading keeps the app's documents and data; deleting removes both
There is no difference; both remove the app and all its data
Offloading moves the app into iCloud and deletes your photos too

9. How can you display your phone's IMEI number?

Restart the phone twice
Look in the photo gallery
Dial *#06#
Hold both volume buttons

10. Your iPhone has gone missing. According to Apple, what should you usually do before erasing it?

Remove it from your Apple Account straight away
Try to locate it and turn on Lost Mode
Erase it immediately, because erasing can be undone
Wait a week in case someone hands it in

11. Before buying office software for university, what should you check first?

Which retailer is selling the full version at the lowest price
Whether your university already provides it free to students
Nothing, since the full paid version is always the safest choice
Whether a friend will share their login so you can use it

12. What happens to free university Microsoft 365 access when you leave, according to the University of Stirling?

Access ends, so save important files elsewhere
It continues free for life as an alumni benefit
It transfers to a family account for your parents
It automatically upgrades to a paid business plan

13. What does Ofcom say UK mobile providers must do when you arrive in another country?

Give you a free allowance of data for your first day in the country
Switch your number to a local one from the country you are in
Cut off your mobile data until you call them to switch roaming on
Send an automatic message on charges or limits, unless you opted out

14. On an iPhone, what shows that the phone is not locked to a carrier?

Airplane mode being switched off in the Control Centre
'Carrier Locked' next to Carrier Lock in Settings, General, About
Your network's name shown at the top of the screen beside the signal bars
'No SIM Restrictions' next to Carrier Lock in Settings, General, About

15. According to Apple, will Apple or its authorised service providers ask for your Apple Account password?

No; you should never share it
Only for screen repairs
Only if the phone is new
Yes, always write it on the repair form

16. What does Repair Mode on a Google Pixel or Maintenance Mode on a Samsung phone do?

Removes and stores the SIM card safely during the repair
Makes the repair free under the manufacturer's warranty
Speeds up the repair by skipping the technician's tests
Locks away your personal data and apps during the repair

Answer key

C: NCSC: updates often include security patches; install them within a few days of being notified.
C: Apple: keep a copy of the recovery key somewhere other than the encrypted disk; losing both password and key means losing your files.
A: FTC: choose WPA3 or WPA2 Personal; if only WPA or WEP is offered, update or replace the router.
B: Worcestershire County Council guide: if speed is much better at the router than elsewhere, the issue is likely your home setup.
B: Apple: open Notes, tap the attachment button and choose Scan Documents; Files also has Scan Documents.
D: Google Drive Help: after scanning, choose PDF as the format; Drive saves scans as searchable PDFs.
C: Apple Support: press Option, Command and Esc together, select the app and click Force Quit.
B: Apple Support: offloading frees the app's space but keeps its documents and data; deleting removes the app and its data.
C: West Yorkshire Police: dial *#06# to show the 15-digit IMEI, and write it down.
B: Apple: locate it, mark it as lost (Lost Mode locks it and suspends Apple Pay), and erase only as a last resort because erasing cannot be undone.
B: University of York and Stirling: students get Microsoft 365 apps free while they study; check IT services first.
A: University of Stirling IS News: once you leave the university, access to Microsoft 365 ends.
D: Ofcom: providers must send an automatic message when you enter another country explaining charges or usage limits.
D: Apple Support: in Settings, General, About, 'No SIM Restrictions' next to Carrier Lock means the iPhone is unlocked.
A: Apple: never share your Apple Account password or passcode; Apple and Apple Authorised Service Providers will not ask for them.
D: Techlicious: both modes lock your personal data and apps behind your PIN before you hand the phone to a repairer.

General information only, written from the sources listed in each online lesson. Laws, numbers and services change, so check official sources. Life-Ready Society, https://lifereadysociety.com/tech-self/