It seems just a few years ago that students were entering college with eager knowledge to learn more, meet new people and live on their own. They had to figure things out slowly, through much trial-and-error, such as studying, having a proper social life, study groups, and lifestyle skills. Phones were still just phones with little tricks and tips to offer at your fingertips.
My, how things have changed.
Thanks to the rising boom of apps for smartphones, college students now have a plethora of useful knowledge in their back pocket. Need a date? There’s an app for that. Looking to find cheap textbooks? Try Facebook groups. Unsure how to cook ramen noodles? Hello YouTube.
There are literally hundreds of apps to choose from, but which ones will prove the most useful?
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Google Drive
There is a strong possibility that your laptop is not permanently attached to your hip like your phone is when wandering around town or even campus. But what if you suddenly need access to a document that you wrote while in class?
Google Drive is the answer for accessing your documents no matter where you are. Built for sharing, Google Drive will let you build spreadsheets, documents, or even random drawings that you can use to collaborate with fellow students. Google Drive automatically gives you 15GB of space for free, plenty for a student’s collection of assignments.
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RefMe
Spending hours writing a research paper is no joke, but don’t forget about the bibliography page! Whether it’s APA, Chicago, or MLA Style, RefMe will make sure your references are spot on. Simply by scanning the book’s barcode or inserting a URL, students can make sure their references are accurate and in the correct style for the assignment. Bonus: The app is available on the cloud so it’s available anytime, anywhere.
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Notability
The truth of the matter is that pen and paper is practically obsolete in the classroom these days, but if you still love the idea of color-coded tabs, colorful pens, and versatility, Notability is perfect for you. Combine audio recordings, scribbles, and type to create the most useful notes for your college courses.
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Studious
College students have a whole lot going on. Between courses, social life, and figuring out how to survive as an adult, it’s easy for small assignments and presentations to fall off the radar. Keep all of your notes, assignments, tests, and photos in one easy-to-read calendar format.
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StudyBlue
The tried-and-true method of flashcards is still one of the best study tools out there, but who is going to actually handwrite all of those individual index cards? StudyBlue creates beautiful smart flashcards that will help you ace the next test. Fun fact: This app will actually filter out the flashcards it knows you’ve mastered to keep you focused on the ones you don’t.
These are just five amazing apps available to help college students succeed. Whether you are participating in PSU online or learning in a classroom, try these apps to keep you focused.
Tony