this post is part of the student guide and the technology mini series
One of my goals next year is learn how to use technology more effectively in order to stay productive and organised. Thus I thought it could be helpful for me as well as you guys to make this post - a masterlist of different websites, apps and extensions that will make your life as a student that little bit easier. I’ve sorted these by purpose rather than device, so that whether you’re looking for a note-taking program or cooking ideas you’ll be able to find something useful.
Plan / Organise
Todoist: Beautiful and powerful project manager and general to-do list
Any.do: Simple, flexible and well-integrated task manager
Carrot To-Do: Motivational and simple to-do list with personality
Pocket: Save articles, videos and other digital content to read later
Pinterest: Collate and sort inspiration into image-based ‘pinboards’
Swipes: Easy task manager that focuses on what’s really important
Trello: Well designed and intuitive project planner / manager
Clear: Minimalistic and beautiful to-do lists
Focus: To-do extension with inbuilt focus timer
Manage Your Schedule
My Study Life: Organise your class schedule and homework tasks
The Homework App: Very pretty and highly functional class schedule and homework tracker
Calendly: Schedule appointments with others using this availability tool
Google Calendar: Simple and smart scheduling app
Glass Planner: Combined, distraction-free calendar and to-do list
Lanes: Simple tasks, calendar and pomodoro timer in new tab
Plan: Gorgeous planner with productivity analytics
Handle: Simple planner and to-dos with email inbox integration
Take Notes
Evernote: Save and sync short multimedia notes ( +Penultimate: Handwritten notes that integrate with the Evernote app )
Notability: Create longer handwritten notes + annotate pdfs
Paper: Lightweight app for beautiful and intuitive notes and sketches
Google Docs: Crisp and collaborative word processor with automatic integration with Google Drive
Outline: Highly organised digital multimedia notebooks
Coggle: Create simple mindmaps
Mindly: More complex and beautiful mindmaps, although more expensive
Day One: Keep a digital journal
Store Files
Google Drive: Store various file types in a cloud-based program
Google Photos: Back up and organise your photos / image files
Focus Better / Manage Time
Forest: Focus for 30 minutes to grow a cute virtual tree
Flat Tomato: Pomodoro timer with additional time management tools
Tide: Simple and attractive pomodoro timer + white noise
Pomodrone: Minimalistic pomodoro with goal setting and analysis tools
Pomello: Desktop pomodoro that integrates with trello for easy task management
Noisli: Simple background noise for focus + relaxation
Be Limitless: Analyses how long you spend on different websites and offers productivity suggestions
StayFocusd: Block access to distracting websites while you work
Timewarp: Gentle reminders to stop using distracting sites
Be More Productive
IFTTT: Automate processes that use multiple apps for higher efficiency
Toby Tab Manager: Manage tabs to avoid overload + up productivity
Tab Snooze: Snooze tabs until later
Infinity: New tab extension with bookmarked pages, to-dos, notes, etc.
Spark: Smart email inbox manager to stay organised and save time
Inbox: Another email organiser designed by Google for Gmail
MyScript: Handwritten, intuitive input makes calculating quicker
GistNote: Highlight web content and sort highlighted material
RefMe: Quickly and automatically create bibliography references
Spaces: Collaborate with groups easily in this shared-space program
XKit: Tumblr extension that makes tasks such as reblogging and tagging faster
Improve Work Quality
Wolfram|Alpha: Data engine / tools makes knowledge easy to access
Grammarly: Powerful editor / grammar checker improves writing quality
DataShine: Conduct research with mapped UK census data
Wikipedia App: Get lost in this treasure-trove of information
Revise Well
Quizlet: Smart flashcard program with collaborative fucntionality
Memrise: Adaptive revision for learning languages and other vocab
FlashTabs: Flashcard in every new tab you open helps you revise consistently
Duolingo: Learn / revise languages via this interactive and fun program
Khan Academy: Do practice tasks and take prep courses for the SAT and other tests - great way to efficiently revise maths !!
CliffsNotes: Cram easily with summary guides and test prep - also has really great guides to popular and classic literature ( +alternative )
Kahoot: Fun and highly useful group revision games / competitions
Stay Healthy
Waterlogged: Track your water intake and get reminders to drink more
Drink!: Drinking reminders for your web browser / laptop
Sleep Better: Track your sleep and dreams + set smart alarms
Good Morning Alarm: Very pretty alternative to Sleep Better
Take A Break: Reminds you to take a break while online
Habitica: Track / manage your habits in this fun game
Productive: Powerful and well designed habit tracker with many features
Streaks: Alternative to Productive - prettier and better interface imo
Streaks Workout: A version of Streaks designed specifically for working out
Seven: 7-minute guided workouts to keep fit quickly
Zombies, Run!: Motivates you to run by playing a guided ‘zombie escape’ game as you do
Charity Miles: Raise money for charity by running, walking or cycling
Lumosity: Fun and personalised brain training ( +alternatives: A | B )
Manage Mental Health
Headspace: Quality guided meditations on different topics
Pacifica: Simple and daily stress / anxiety management tools
Smiling Mind: Meditations designed to improve mindfulness
Live Independently
My Fridge Food: Enter ingredients you have, get recipes you can make
SafeTrek: Stay safe while out alone via easy alerts when in danger
Penny: Track your money / spending and see how you could save
Honey: Save money by automatically applying promotions when shopping online
Konmari: Organise your belongings by minimising what you own
Roadtrippers: Plan road trip routes around America easily
Stay Entertained
Flipboard: Automatically collate articles from all over the web into your own personalised digital magazine
Quartz: Get current new in an interactive, easy-to-digest manner
Medium: Read short and engaging essays on a variety of current topics
Netflix: You know the deal
Whichbook: Find a book you’ll love with this detailed search ( +Bookling: Motivate yourself to read more and track your progress )
Letterboxed: Review films and create lists of favourites, to-watch, etc.
Goodreads: Like a book version of Letterboxd
QuizUp: Competitive trivia app
