1. Wally (iPhone, iPad)
I personally love this app cause it’s easy to use, beautiful to look at, keeps my receipts and isn’t cluttered with useless features. You can divide them into various categories/subcategories, add in your income, see your balance as well as see your spending habits graphed into beautiful pie charts.
2. 30/30 (iPhone, iPad)
This app is mostly intended for study sessions but I use it to keep track of routines, particularly for housework. I tend to procrastinate and dilly-dally when doing laundry/dishes/etc and sometimes I just need to GET IT DONE. You can allot how much time you want to spend, and save these lists/routines for future use.Â
3. IFTTT (iPhone, iPad)
IFTTT stands for If This, Then That and you can use it for ANYTHING. Statements are called “recipes” and allow for a more productive use of your time by eliminating routine actions. I currently use “If raining tomorrow, then remind me today to bring an umbrella” and “If tagged in Facebook photo, then save in iOS Photos”. Alternatively, you can use it to automatically transfer tagged screenshots/notes/etc to dropbox/google drive/etc.Â
4. Evernote (iPhone, iPad, Macbook)
I think everyone knows what Evernote is. It has a ton of features including journals, notes, lists, whatever you want. I use it to keep my 2015 goals and lists (books to read, movies to watch, music to get, gift ideas, recipes to try and my bucket list). How does it make me a better student? I no longer waste free time thinking about what to watch, where to eat, or things to do. I get more things done that I’ve always wanted to do and can therefore appreciate when it’s time to get back to work.
5. Grades 3 (iPhone)
Also self-explanatory! It helps you keep track of how each of your evaluations are affecting your final mark. Sometimes it’s hard to see how a 5% quiz improves/ruins your grade. I found myself 10X more motivated after using this app cause you can see just how much better you can do.
6. Inkflow Visual Notebook (iPad)
I just recently discovered this and it is THE BEST. As a human bio major in my undergrad, I drew out flowcharts ALL THE TIME. The problem was that I’d run out of space or need to add a new molecule in between, and my OCD would hit the fan. This app allows you to take a photo of your work, but only scans the pencil/pen part, and therefore seamlessly fits in with the rest of your document. You can then erase, select, add and move around different components of the flowchart/note/picture/etc.
7. Flashcards+ (iPhone, iPad, Macbook, Windows)
This is pretty self-explanatory! What I liked about this is that I was able to test myself while walking to places in the freezing -30 degrees Celsius weather in Toronto (which I wouldn’t be able to do with physical flashcards). Not to mention it saves so much time and paper, and you can easily share them with others.
8. Duolingo (iPhone, iPad)
Learning a new language keeps your head sharp and resume competitive for this increasingly globalized world. I’m currently learning German and this app makes it super easy and fun! I started last week doing 15 minutes every day and I have already had a full (simple) conversation with my German friend - it’s that good!
9. Circle of 6 (iPhone)
As newly independent adults, we need to organize our SAFETY. This app allows you to choose 6 people to send an emergency text to with your details and location at the click of a button (as well as an “I’m okay but thanks” message once the crisis is averted).
10. SAM (iPhone, iPad)
If you’ve ever had anxiety attacks, you’ll understand how much time an attack eats up when you’re trying to be your most productive self. It has a toolbox of methods to calm you down and provides explanations for what you’re feeling. You can even rate each method so you know what works for you.
11. Dashlane (iPhone, iPad, Macbook, Windows)
With all the different social media accounts, email accounts (going on my 4th one now that I’m a Masters student at a new university!), online shopping accounts, bank accounts, etc - it starts to get hard to keep track of all your usernames/passwords AND have strong, individual passwords for all of them. This helps keep track and allows the ability to change ALL your passwords at once if something were to happen to your various accounts.
12. Google Drive (iPhone, iPad, Macbook, Android, Windows)
I can spend a whole blog post talking about this one. I have 100% of my documents saved on google drive on my desktop. This means I have 100% of my documents on my phone, ipad and .. anywhere with an internet connection. You won’t have to lug around a big laptop all the time, AND you can have the peace of mind knowing you have access to important information from literally anywhere in the world. And a bonus - it doesn’t take up any space (except in the cloud!).
13. Zotero (Macbook, Windows)
I love doing research papers but I absolutely hate having to keep track of everything I’ve read. This app allows you to create folders to keep citations for each of your individual reports. Once you’re done, just choose your referencing method and it creates all your bibliography for you at the click of a button!
14. Self Control (Macbook, Windows)
Need to study online but keep feeling tempted to go on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Youtube, etc? Put them all on a “Blacklist” on this Self Control app and prevent yourself from being able to access them for a certain amount of time. Even if you delete the app, you still can’t get on those sites until your time is up. LIFE SAVER.
Hopefully these tips have helped you in some way. I’d love to hear about other useful apps! The trick is to have apps that satisfy more than one function, so that you don’t clutter up your devices.
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