Summer is ending, and school is just around the corner. Whether you’re attending high school or a post-secondary institution, there are always methods to maximize your efficiency. Sometimes, it’s changing little things to improve your quality of life. With so many apps being developed these days, you can access, store, and keep information wherever you go. We’ve compiled a list of back to school apps to help you succeed in all aspects of your academic career.
 

SLEEPING

  • Sleep Cycle – Start the day off with more energy. This app monitors your sleep and wakes you up during your lightest sleep phase.
  • Alarmy – Need some extra help getting up? To turn off your alarm clock after it begins ringing, you must complete menial tasks that require you to think. Perfect for those who sleep through their alarm clock.

 

PLANNING

  • DigiCal (Android) – Create a calendar that looks and feels unique to you. There are multiple calendar themes, colours, and layouts to choose from.
  • Week Calendar (IOS) – One of the top worldwide calendar apps, Week Calendar is efficient and offers several built-in features, like being able to autocomplete events and set multiple alarms.
  • Exam Countdown – When it comes to exam season, every student knows it’s crunch time. Never feel anxious or scramble to find your exam times again. Simply put in all your exam dates and get notified before each one of your exams.
  • Tasks/Astrid To-Do List – This app is your personal assistant to help you be more productive and efficient in your homework, projects, and extracurricular activities. By prioritizing the most important tasks on your to-do list, it ensures you get everything done.

 

WRITING

  • Merriam- Webster Dictionary – Having trouble in an assigned reading, or want to jazz up a paper you’re writing? Keep this app on your phone and make reading and writing that much easier.
  • SimpleMind – Used for brainstorming, SimpleMind offers writers a chance to jot down ideas that come to them, while also giving them the ability to revisit these ideas.
  • PenUltimate – Instead of typing, use a digital pen to write with and upload that work to any device. Great for those who prefer to write notes by hand but still want an electronic copy.
  • Hemmingway – An honest app that checks your writing’s readability. This app scans your writing, makes suggestions, and shows you where your writing could use some improvement.
  • Plot Generator – When you’re stuck on an article, look no further than Plot Generator. This app combines multiple scenarios and throws you as many suggestions as you need. Simply click one of the categories and brainstorm away.

 

STUDYING

  • StudyBlue – Create flashcards based on notes you accumulate. Perfect for quizzing yourself right before a midterm or exam.
  • Quizlet – Another app that allows you to create your own flashcards in a flash. You can also look up other student’s flashcards.
  • GoConqr – Provides both students and teachers a variety of resources, including mind maps, revision charts, flashcards, and quizzes.
  • Evernote – Create a customized experience to maximize your learning. Evernote gives students a place to organize notes, audio recordings, checklists, links, videos, and attachments for future use.
  • Forest – This app helps you put down your phone and stay focused. Plant a tree and every time you remain focused on your task (and not procrastinating on other apps), the tree grows!

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • Easybib – If you hate doing citations after a paper, or you dread the amount of time it takes, Easybib makes it a walk in the park. Simply input information such as the author, book title, and publication date, and the app creates your citation in several popular styles including Chicago, MLA, and APA.

 

COMMUNICATION

  • Skype – If you’re working with another student on an assignment, Skype is a great way to talk to each other and collaborate. Study with just one individual or open it up to a large group chat.
  • Discord – Discord is a messaging app built for gamers, but works well for students too. Much like Skype, Discord allows you to talk to friends and family, but without the video features. You can organize channels so your messages don’t get too hectic.
  • Circle of Six – For partygoers who sometimes have too much to drink, this app allows you to connect with 6 other friends and call for help when needed. The app sends out a notification and your location to the others via GPS.

 

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

  • Desmos – Perfect for math class, avoid paying for a costly graphic calculator and use your smartphone instead.
  • World Atlas (Android) – This app provides high-resolution images beyond any Google image. Check out countries, capitals, and flags all in one place–perfect for geography class.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

  • Rate My Professors: Although not an app, we couldn’t finish this list without including Rate My Professor, a platform which helps you pick (or avoid) a class based on the professor teaching it. Reviews come from millions of students who provide ratings on professors from colleges and universities across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

 

Back-to-school, your way.

Whether you decide to use one or several of the apps above, keep in mind that apps can also hinder your academic progress. If you’re using too many, or they’re not the right fit for you, chances are they’re doing more harm than good. With that being said, school is just beginning and you’ll have plenty of time to pick and choose the best apps for your style. Best of luck in your academic endeavours!

If we’re missing any must-have apps for school, let us know!