8 Apps You Need To Survive College
Feeling like a mid student even after putting in the grind?
Don't worry, there are free productivity apps to turn things around and they're worth the storage space. Check them out:
1. Notion
How are you gonna crush your classes if you don't even know what's due when? Taking notes in your head isn’t going to cut it anymore. According to Birdview, you can’t rely on your memory to remember information—it's the easiest way to get lost.
On Notion, you can create a master schedule using their student templates, which is a giant to-do list that records every assignment, test, or task you might have. Just input the class, the name of the assignment, and the due date. Notion will automatically create a calendar with all your deadlines so you can finally chill and let the app track the deadlines.
2. Google Calendar
Before your semester starts, head over to your school's website and input your timetable directly into your Google Calendar. This will give you a major visual of your week, so you can plan and schedule accordingly.
You can also use your calendar to practice time-blocking, or breaking your day into manageable chunks. For example, you can allocate an hour for studying, 30 minutes for lunch, and two hours for assignments between your classes.
P.S Don't forget to set up notifications to go off 10-30 minutes before class starts, so you never have to be caught in 4k being late or missing classes.
3. OneNote
With this app, you can hyperfocus on what your prof is actually saying without the stress of trying to write down every single word—because seriously, who has time for that?
If your prof uploads their slides online before lectures, you can import their presentation into OneNote. As you listen to the lecture, you can easily type the key details in the margins next to each slide.
The notes you take here will be perfect when studying for midterms and finals, giving you a streamlined and organized way to review the most important information. Thanks, OneNote, you understood the assignment.
4. RemNote
This app lets you type your notes and automatically turns them into flashcards with just a click. According to the University of Michigan, flashcards work well because they help your brain actively recall information, which is how we pull up memories.
What we love about RemNote is how easy it is to organize your flashcards from broad topics to specific details. Each flashcard is connected to the category or topic you’re studying, so it’s never just a random question that messes up your study groove.
5. Mint
One thing they don't stress enough is the importance of managing your finances on your own as a college student. Living in the trenches is not cute, and Mint can help you avoid that situation so you can focus more on studying and less on worrying about how you'll manage your next meal.
Mint connects directly to your bank account and tracks how much you're spending for each category like college supplies, meals, rent, etc. It alerts you if you're spending more than you should on your weekly matcha and will help you set limits. It's a must-have if you're serious about budgeting and saving money.
6. Flow
We’ve all hit the library for a study sesh before an exam, only to get sidetracked by replying to our group mates, working on a task, or even answering a call from Mom. That was before we tried the Pomodoro Technique.
With Flow, you can easily implement the Pomodoro Technique: study for 25 minutes, then take a short or long break. It’s customizable to fit your tasks and helps keep you focused on one thing at a time. Plus, it gives you an overview of your productivity progress over time, letting you know if you should maintain your pace or if you can plan a more intensive study sched, among others.
Remember, it's all about finding the right tools for you. Start with these apps and experiment with more to see which ones hit the spot. Before long, you’ll get used to the streamlined system to be more productive. Good luck!!