It’s undeniable that modern students use smartphones in daily life more so than ever before. In part, because they are fairly recent inventions in society, but there’s more to it than that.
Smartphones and other devices have so much to offer students in terms of expanding and assisting with their education. Take apps, for instance. The recent Apple campaign with the tagline, “There’s an app for that,” demonstrates just how many apps are readily available at the touch of a screen.
So, as bright, capable students, why not utilize these applications for more than your social life or to combat boredom? Here are some of the best apps for college students – the only problem with this knowledge is that you may become “plugged in” even more than you are already. You've been warned.
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The Fastweb app is available to download free on both iOS and Android devices.
Which apps do you use to help you stay on top of your schoolwork?
Quizlet
Offering a wide array of subjects, different study modes and a variety of test prep resources, Quizlet allows students to sign up and utilize its study tools free of charge. Students rave about the ease of using the app and the site, along with the awesome tools that Quizlet offers on them. Quizlet is available on iOS and Android devices as well as web browsers.Fastweb College Scholarships
Blackboard Learn
Some schools use Blackboard to allow students to remain up-to-date with scheduling, homework assignments and to provide easier access to media, like lectures, notes and presentations. You can also connect with classmates through a roster, blogs, discussion and journals. If your school or any of your courses utilizes Blackboard, stay in the know and download the app today. The Blackboard app is available on Blackberry, iOS devices, Android and Palm.Study Buddy
Do you have a personal study coach? Now you can with the Study Buddy app. Improve your study habits by keeping track of your study time versus distraction time, get efficiency reports, plus use timers and warnings to get you back on track from those breaks that just linger. The app even notes any phone call interruptions, so you can’t sneak in a quick chat on the clock. The cherry on top? Inspirational quotes to keep you motivated at the beginning of each session. This app is available on iOS devices and Android devices.Duolingo
Who wants to speak one language when you learn to speak in all? This app makes learning a new language as easy, simple and, best of all, free! Simply take your pick of languages to learn, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and more– no experience or knowledge of the language is necessary. Courses are also available for ESL learners. Duolingo is available on iOS and Android devices as well as web browsers.Evernote
The days of scrambling to scribe your notes are over, thanks to Evernote. The app allows recordings, storing media and searching for notes on any topic under the sun through keywords, tags or even through printed or handwritten text. The Evernote app is available on iPhone, iTouch, Android, Windows Phone 7, Blackberry and iPad.Vocabology
Build and enhance your vocabulary easily and efficiently with Vocabology. A better vocabulary equals better essays, speeches and exam scores. Vocabology even allows words in multiple languages, so you can learn in whatever tongue suits your style. The Vocabology app is available on iOS devices.Mint.com Personal Finance
If you’re not great at money management, life can be tough. If you throw being a student on a strict budget into the mix, it can be downright daunting. The Mint app helps you create and stick to a personalized budget, while allowing you to factor in any expense you deem worthy. The app also secures your information with a personalized pin that can access your account on Mint.com’s website. The Mint app is available on iOS, Android and Windows devices.Simplemind+
Sometimes it’s hard to make sense of all the thoughts in your head. Luckily, Simplemind+ is a tool which allows you to create mind maps, collect your ideas in one place and improve your brainstorm productivity. Instead of mundane text versions, the mind maps allow you to visualize and connect your thoughts, plus you can hyperlink, share and export them as needed. The Simplemind+ app is available on iOS and Android devices, as well as desktops.Todo
If you’re a list-maker, this app is for you. The task manager, Todo, allows you to compile any to-dos in one spot, then sync the app with your calendar. You can also save multiple lists by category or, to utilize reminders, set repeating tasks and appointments for those pesky tasks you need to remember on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The Todo app is available on iOS and Android devices and has the ability to sync with Windows.Dictionary.com Mobile
Don’t you think it’s about time to expand your vocabulary? Dictionary.com Mobile – the dictionary you can carry in your pocket – can enable you to do just that! The app has features like word of the day updates, voice-activated search capabilities, trending words and you can even check out words searched nearby. Dictionary.com Mobile is available on iOS, Android, Windows, BlackBerry, Nook, and Kindle Fire devices as well as web browsers.Trello
Unless you’re from another universe, group assignments can be brutal. It’s often difficult to get everyone on the same page – and the same workload. Trello is an app that combats group assignment woes by allowing organization and collaboration. Sure, you can use Trello as a task manager, but it’s capable of so much more. Create cards, which you can organize in lists or categories– then share them with others who can make notes and vote for your ideas. You can even track progress, plus updates are in real time, so you’re never wondering what group members are up to. The Trello app is available on iOS devices, Android, Windows and web browsers.CliffsNotesmobile
Who can keep all those characters straight, anyway? Now you don’t need to. Find any study help you require via CliffsNotesmobile, quickly and conveniently from your iOS devices. The app allows you to download literary guides, test prep, and digital flash cards for review. The CliffNotesmobile app is available on iOS devices (some feeds can be added to web sites as well).Brain Tutor 3D
If you’re a science geek, this app allows you to learn about what’s in everyone’s head – literally. The app enables you to explore 3D models of the head and brain through models created from MRI scans, while learning about where brain structures are located. You can even slice the brain across three different axes to learn more about what’s inside, complete with text information. Brain Tutor 3D is available on iOS and Android devices.SparkNotes
Get free access to literature, Shakespeare, poetry, philosophy, drama and short story summaries and study guides online through your device or you can download for use anytime. The app also has the ability to create study groups, check into your location and share what you are studying on Facebook. SparkNotes is available on iOS and Android devices as well as web browsers.iStudiez Pro
Easily navigate the overwhelming aspects of student life like tracking your schedule, daily tasks and keep track of upcoming assignments and deadlines. You can also track your grades and calculate your projected GPA for current and past semesters using a variety of grading scales. In addition, you can back up any data you enter by sending it directly to your email or by syncing to your other iOS devices. iStudiez Pro is available on iOS and Android devices.gWhiz for Students
The complete line of gWhiz apps spans pretty much any topic or study tool you’ll ever need from an app. Download whichever apps pertain: from task-specific apps like test prep or gFlash to create and edit your own note cards. You can also download pre-made cards from the gWhiz catalog. You can also search and download apps by subject, like architecture, history, science, math and more! The gWhiz apps are available on iOS devices, Android, Blackerry, Netbook, Nook and Kindle.WolframAlpha
If you have a question about a scientific theory or mathematical equation, forget Siri – ask WolframAlpha. It doesn’t just provide answers to your most pressing questions; it explains the who, what, where, why and how. WolframAlpha covers physics, chemistry, world history and sports – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The WolframAlpha app is available on iOS, Android, Kindle and Windows devices.Google Workspace
Maxed out of storage on your phone or hard drive? Save everything to Google Drive. The app allows you to save 15GBs worth of documents for absolutely free. And if you’re struggling in Spanish, try Google Translate. It can translate over 100 languages and half of those can be accessed without an Internet connection. Google Workspace is available on iOS and Android.Documents To Go
Need to edit your papers on the way to class? It’s easy now with Documents To Go. You can create, edit and view all of your documents, spreadsheets and presentations through the app. This app supports PDFs as well as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The Documents To Go app is available on iOS and Android.Which apps do you use to help you stay on top of your schoolwork?
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Kathryn Knight Randolph
Associate Content Editor
Kathryn Knight Randolph is the Associate Content Editor at Fastweb. She has 17 years of higher education experience, working first as an Admissions Officer at DePauw University before joining Fastweb. In b...
