There are good reasons for anyone to work from home, but for students, it can be particularly appealing. For one thing, you can fit work in around your studies, rather than compromising them. You don’t have to waste time in transit. Also, you don’t need the interview skills you haven't had the chance to hone if you're getting jobs digitally. Working remotely is a blessing because it allows you to work from anywhere. You can even use a VPN in China to bypass the restrictions and work from there.  

Another great aspect of working from home is that you don't have all that many expenses. All you essentially need is a computer and internet connection – which you'll need for your coursework anyway.

There is, however, some software you are going to have to get. Some of it is free, but there is software you might have to pay for.

Here is what you need.

Office Suite

Whether you're writing for company blogs or doing basic data entry, you will need office software. In the past, there were very few choices. Microsoft Office was the benchmark and very little lived up to it. But Microsoft Office is very costly, and now there are other options which are as good or better.

If you own a MacBook, Apple’s Pages, Numbers, and Keynote come as part of the package. Otherwise, Google Drive is completely free and very user-friendly. Docs has all the capabilities you'll need from a word processor. Sheets is the excellent equivalent of Excel.

Apache OpenOffice is also free, but always on the verge of discontinuation.

Security Software

Those who spend any amount of time on the internet (read: all of us) need to invest in security software. However, it becomes all the more important if you're working online. This is especially true if you get paid via an online source, like PayPal. If hackers get hold of your account information, you can lose a lot of money.

Identity theft is also a very real issue, which can impact your finances as well as your reputation. Antivirus software, virtual private networks (VPNs), and password managers will all keep you safe from being hacked. Some of this software you might have to pay for, but it is more than worth it.

Project Management Software

There is a growing range of project management software that connects remote workers with employers or clients, allowing everyone working on a project to share information and resources. Asana is one of the most well-known. Trello and Team Tracker App are similarly respected.

If you're working for an employer, they'll probably have their own preference that they will ask you to download. However, if you're working for a client without a clear vision of how they expect a project to work, you should find the best app for you and ask them if they are happy to use it.