As a college student, keeping your life organized, productive, and even sane can be difficult from time to time. Luckily, with the constant presence of smartphones in our lives, there is an ever-expanding library of apps to help us keep up with our lives in many ways. Here is a list of some of my favorites that have helped me keep track of my hectic schedule as a college student.
Blackboard: iPhone and Android, free to download, $1.99 for full access
This app is a must if your school uses Blackboard for grades and assignments. The initial download is free, and full access is $1.99. You can’t take things like quizzes and tests from the app, but if you often find yourself checking your grades and other assignments on the go, and wishing you didn’t have to pull out your computer to do it, this app is worth the investment.
Duolingo: iPhone and Android, free
Whether you are taking a foreign language class or not, Duolingo is a fun way to brush up on the language skills you learned in high school or get a jump start on a new language for class in college. No more boring vocabulary words! Duolingo combines the fun and competition of an iPhone or Android game with language skills you can use in class and beyond.
Google Drive: iPhone and Android, free
I can’t count the number of times I’ve mentioned using Google Drive to other students and friends and been greeted with, “What are you talking about?” I have sworn by Google Drive for years, and I use it more than I do the standard Microsoft Word. Drive is a free (at least the first 15 gigabytes of storage are) service from Google that allows users to create Microsoft Word–like documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. You can also save them all online and access them anywhere. The mobile app has a clean, easy user interface. Editing documents may be a little more difficult on the app because of the small screen size, but it is quick and simple to access existing documents and presentations without the hassle of a laptop or desktop computer.
Grades 3: iPhone, free
If your high school used a program online where you and your parents could check your grades, then you probably got used to quickly and easily being able to check your GPA. Unfortunately, in college, you don’t have that quick and easy access until grades come out at the end of the semester. That’s where Grades 3 comes in! When you get all your syllabi at the beginning of the semester, you can simply add in all the grades you will have for your classes with their weights, enter your goal grade for each class, updating as you get assignments back throughout the semester, and Grades 3 will automatically calculate your GPA. (free, iphone)
myHomework: iPhone and Android, free
I have sworn by this app since high school! For those who don’t want to carry around a planner to keep track of assignments and other course work, myHomework is an easy solution for keeping up with everything academic from your phone, tablet, or computer. When you create an account, you can sync your assignments across all your compatible devices and add all your classes to the app. myHomework allows you to add class times, different categories for your assignments (i.e., test, project, essay, workbook, etc.) and view your assignments in either a list or a calendar view.
Notability: iPhone, $5.99
If you really hate writing out your notes on paper and would prefer to use your phone or tablet, Notability is a lifesaver. Notability allows you to enter text, insert pictures, and even write with your finger or a stylus, so you’re not limited to taking notes via a keyboard. And though the price tag may be a little scary, you aren’t just limited to note taking; I’ve used Notability for everything from to-do lists to school notes to some very complex vacation planning.
Wunderlist: iPhone and Android, free
Whether it’s all the things you need to get done this week or everything you need to pack when you move next semester, Wunderlist is a great way to keep track of any type of list. With a simple interface that allows you to create multiple lists and also combine several in one folder, this app can help you sort your hectic college schedule.
