Today’s students are busier than ever, juggling their studies with work and social life. Technology can help take the edge off, with the array of apps designed to help simplify and streamline the study process. From creating study-friendly flashcards to organizing finances, these handy smartphone apps can help students avoid falling behind.
Dictionary.com
No reference collection is complete without an up-to-date dictionary, and this app from Dictionary.com gives you access to definitions at your fingertips. Define and spell-check your work accurately, while building your vocabulary at the same time. The app is free to download and available for iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone.
StudyBlue
Mentioned in this roundup of the best apps for students, StudyBlue helps you save paper by creating virtual flashcards. You can customize your flashcards to include images, text, and audio to help you buckle down and absorb information at your own pace. Flashcards can then be shared with other students. Track your learning process with study reminders and progress checks, to make sure you’re staying on track.
Sparknotes
The ever-popular Sparknotes is available as an app for iOS and Android. These study guides provide summaries of notable books online, allowing you to catch up on your reading without falling behind. Depending on how much time you have, you can skim through the most important points of a reading or look at the key themes in greater depth.
Evernote
Keeping tabs on your homework assignments and class notes can be difficult if you don’t have an organized note-taking system. Evernote steps in here as a useful app to create voice memos, along with to-do lists and course notes. You won’t have to carry around several different notebooks; instead you can streamline all of your notes into one simple app. Evernote is available for most operating systems, including Android, iOS, Blackberry, and Windows phones.
Dropbox
When you’re taking several courses, files can quickly pile up on your computer. Do you need to revise your thesis paper from a café? Dropbox allows you to access your work from a secure connection wherever you are. It automatically saves all of your documents and photos so that you can access them from any synced device, including your smartphone. In addition to giving access to text files, you can also share your photo albums with friends and family which can be useful for those studying far from home.
Mint
Do you blow your budget too early each month? Student expenses can really add up, when you factor in the cost of tuition, books, and regular living expenses. Keep tabs on your student loan and bank accounts by downloading the Mint financial tracking app. It’s free to download for iOS and Android, allowing you to track your expenses and know exactly when bills are due.
Although not all of these apps are specifically designed for students, they’re all useful ways to stay organized while you work towards your academic goals. By staying on top of studies and finances, you can free up more time for the fun side of student life!
