5 Apps Students Can’t Live Without

From managing due dates to prepping for important exams, there are abundant online resources that students can use to stay organized, stay connected and get ahead at the same time. Now, it’s easier than ever to do all of that – and more – from your phone. But, with so many different apps to choose from, it’s not always easy to find the tool that works best for you.

Here are my top five rated apps for student survival. While this list is certainly not exhaustive, these apps have helped me be successful thus far in my student life, and hopefully they can do the same for you.

1. iCalendar or Outlook

Organization and tidiness cannot be overemphasized. It’s imperative to develop strong organizational skills because holding yourself accountable to your commitments will have a domino effect on other areas of your life. A student who is always on time to class is bound to be on time to work. Someone who keeps an agenda is likely to be a good at time management.

Most smartphones come with a built-in calendar application that pulls in events and reminders from your connected email account. In addition to managing your daily schedule, you can set alerts and configure your calendar to pull in information from other apps, such as Notes or Reminders.

There’s also My Study Life, an app specially designed to help you keep every aspect of your student life on track. My Study Life includes a homework tracker for due dates and assignments, as well as a calendar and a class schedule manager.

2. Evernote or One Note

Evernote is designed for the digital notetaker. With the ability to access your notes instantly from your computer, phone or tablet, Evernote is a great tool for busy students who study on-the-go. You can also enhance your notes with checklists, tables, links and screenshots clipped from the web.

Another helpful note-taking tool is Microsoft One Note, which also has cloud-sharing abilities that make it easy for you to access your notes anytime from anywhere. Regardless of which solution you choose, be sure to check out these tips for digital note-taking.

3. SymboLab

SymboLab is a great resource for students who need additional help in mathematics. An excellent calculator for myriad mathematical problems, SymboLab can help with graphing equations, finding integrals, derivatives and limits, and solving problems with unfamiliar symbols. This has been very helpful to me throughout my student career!

4. PocketPrep

PocketPrep offers a variety of different exam prep packages that can prepare students for the next step in their academic and professional careers. From standardized testing to advanced industry certifications, such as CompTIA A+ or the PMI PMP, PocketPrep has it all. Each prep package comes with a variety of practice questions, custom exams and a progress tracker to help you assess your strengths and weaknesses.

5. Peak Brain Training

This app offers brilliant brain teasers that help you maintain cognitive agility. Peak Games has even created a game in collaboration with MIT that is designed to improve your memory – something that can benefit you greatly when it comes time to study for your exams.

Brain teasers are an entertaining way to keep yourself sharp – you can use them when you need a study break or when you have extra time during your commute or in between classes. Lumosity Games offers similar exercises and programs to improve your memory and problem-solving abilities.