Public PCs and Gmail!

I spend the whole day at the university and use public computers in the laboratory (mainly because my laptop's battery doesn't last as long as I need and there are few sockets around the campus! Believe me, there are no sockets!!!). Occasionally I need to log into my personal account to access files or access online services that require my gmail account. That said, what is the safest way to log into these services on public computers and avoid any future problems.

ps: in the past I logged in with my gmail and hours later there was an attempt to log in on a mac in Afghanistan. I don't have a Mac and I've never been to Afghanistan. Since that day I created a generic account to use on public PCs, but I still need things that are in my main gmail. Any help will be welcome. Thanks.