By Christina Collins

College life is fast-paced, messy, and often fatal for iPods. If you drop or hit your iPod, the screen breaks easily. If you use your iPod regularly, the battery wears out after just 18 months. Then there are washing machines, toilets, and spilled drinks ~ the culprits when it comes to liquid damage. It seems that iPods are in constant danger.

It’s no surprise, then, that Aaron Vronko from Rapid Repair receives hundreds of damaged iPods every semester. That’s why he has developed a few do-it-yourself tricks to salvage soggy or groggy electronics:

To protect your iPod from spills and scratches, use an ultra-thin plastic covering (try a ThinSkin from Rapid Repair).

For more serious protection against bumps, drops, and hits, upgrade to a protective case made of hard material.

To make your battery last the extra mile, charge your iPod often and run it completely dead once a month.

If you exercise while listening to music, invest in a flash-based MP3 player like the iPod Nano or the Zune Flash. The constant shaking of running can cause the hard drive in a full-size iPod to wear out.

If there’s something wrong with your iPod, don’t hesitate ~ send it in before you lose your music! Most iPods are repaired for less than $50, and the diagnostic is free. If you change your mind after sending your iPod, Rapid Repair will ship it back to you or refund your shipping cost. For more info, visit www.rapidrepair.com.