It is difficult to overestimate the extent to which the invention of the Internet and its expansion has changed education. Practically anyone can learn anything from anywhere. But it’s not just the access to information that technology has made possible. Increasingly, the creation and distribution of web-based applications, or “apps,” specifically those available through one’s smartphone, opens up new opportunities to learn better and faster.
7 Social Apps for College Students
Here are a few apps that can help students – of any age and in any field – study and do their coursework online. If you’re considering taking one of Point University’s online programs, these study apps for college students may come in handy.
Cold Turkey
Technology is great, but we all know it brings with it plenty of time-wasting distractions in the form of never-ending news updates and funny cat videos. Fortunately, technology itself has a solution: The Cold Turkey app.
“Do you ever catch yourself checking Facebook while trying to do work? Cold Turkey lets you temporarily block these distractions so you can focus on finishing your work sooner.”
It does more than temporarily block Facebook. You can block any websites you choose, as well as other applications, for a specified amount of time. Choose how long you need to read, write, study or just plain focus, and Cold Turkey will help make it possible. The “Basic” version is free, and there are some helpful features available for a small subscription fee.
Dragon Dictation
Do you think (and speak) faster than you type? Of course you do. This a reality – and a problem – for students who are tasked with writing lots of papers. Even when your thoughts are well-organized, it still takes time to type them out. Fortunately, Dragon can help. The company, and the technology, has been around for a while, but it keeps getting better and better. It even learns from your individual voice and speech patterns.
According to Dragon, their dictation app is “up to five (5) times faster than typing on the keyboard.”
The app is free to download, but the full service does cost some money. But trust us – it could be well worth it if you have to write a lot.
Evernote
The idea behind evernote is simple: “Inspiration strikes anywhere.” And when it does, you need to be ready. With Evernote you will be.
From their website: “Evernote lets you capture, nurture, and share your ideas across any device.”
You can take notes on the smartphone app or on your laptop, and then access them anytime from any device. Plus, it has a powerful search feature, so you can find old notes and ideas that may be relevant to new work you are doing. Evernote Basic is free, and you can upgrade to premium features.
Google Drive
This may sound like a no-brainer, but if you’re not already using Google Drive – why not?Here are four excellent reasons to use Google Drive if you are not already:
- Has all of your basic programs available – word processing, spreadsheets, presentations. Remember when you had to buy, install, and update packages of these tools? Those days are long gone.
- Basically unlimited cloud storage. Unless you are downloading high-definition movies – which you are not, because you should be studying, right? – then you will probably never fill up the storage they offer.
- It’s free.
Quizlet
People learn lots of different ways. Some people learn best by reading. Others absorb information from lectures. And then there’s the rest of us, who need to go over information time and time again for it to stick. Remember back to elementary school, and flashcards? Those were handy, but also time consuming. Now you can make digital flashcards, plus lots of other helpful study tools, with Quizlet.
According to Quizlets website, they have over 150 Million study sets already available. If you don’t find what you are looking for, simply make your own!
Todoist
Maybe having multiple sticky notes strewn across your desk is how you stay on top of your to-do list. But if you’re tired of that system, then it’s time to get a digital to-do list.
Try Todoist. “Todoist offers more useful features than any other to do service. So you can do more to customize the experience, organize your tasks and projects, and optimize your productivity.”
Seriously, Todoist lets you keep the list simple, or get very detailed. You can use it across multiple devices, and you can even share lists if you are working on a group project. The Basic version is free, and there are some handy Premium features for about $30 per year.
Sworkit
This is a fun one, but you should still take it seriously. “All work and no play makes a dull Jack or Jill,” as the saying goes. And if you have ever tried to study all day long, you know that, at some point, your brain just stops working.
It’s time to get up, get out, and get moving! Exercise gives you energy, and stimulates brain activity. Plus, it’s good for you. If you’re not feeling super motivated, then Sworkit can help. The Sworkit app is “your own personal trainer. Simply select the part of your body you want to work out by choosing from over 20 pre-built workouts, or create your own workout.”
Best of all? The workouts are only 5 minutes long. You’ve got time for that, right? The basic version is free, and there are even more workout available on the paid version.
This short guide to study apps for students is brought to you by Point University. Point offers a variety of in-demand degree programs to full-time undergraduate students, part-time working adults at six campus locations, as well as fully-online courses.