Let's be real, college can be hell some days. It's just the way of the world. Despite this, college kids are the most resourceful people you will ever meet, and the most tech-savvy. Put these two traits together, and it only makes sense that we use apps to survive.
With the exciting and somewhat daunting spring semester staring us in the face, here are 15 of
1. Forest
My amazing housemate showed me this app. It's PERFECT for keeping you focused and off of your phone. You put in the designated time you want to study, and a plant grows. But whatever you do, don't leave the app; if you do, your precious plant dies, and no one wants that. Using our guilt and cute plants to make us study? Genious.
2. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary/Thesaurus
As a writer, I personally find these to be particularly helpful. Never struggle to find the perfect word again. This app even offers a Word of the Day, so you can easily expand your knowledge every day.
3. LinkedIn
C'mon, we all want a job when we graduate. Better yet, we want one while we're still working our asses off to get that degree. LinkedIn is the perfect resource. It acts as an electronic resume, but it's so much more. In fact, many companies are using LinkedIn in place of a resume. So put some time and thought into this app, and get that dream job.
4. Mint
I learned about this app while in an Investment class. With mint, it's easy to keep track of your money. I mean, we have to do SOMETHING to break the broke college kid stereotype, right? Create different, personal categories for what you spend your money on, and budget wisely. Mint even sends you emails to tell you when you overspend, and where.
5. TED
It doesn't matter what class you're talking about, we've all had to watch a TED Talk at one point or another. Love them or hate them, this app is a great resource, whether you want to learn about the origin of the meme or global warming.
6. Lynda
Find how-to videos on every possible topic here. This app came in especially handy when Photoshop proved to be my biggest enemy.
7. Google Drive
There's nothing worse than working on a project for weeks on end, only for your computer to randomly restart as you're about to submit it, and you lose it. Ditch the hassle and use Google Drive. Everything in one spot, and accessible anywhere. A college kid's dream come true.
8. Dragon Dictation
Ever had a day where you're just too lazy to type out your lecture notes? Or have a teacher who talks just a little too fast to understand, or keep up? Dragon Dictation is the miracle you've been waiting for. This app allows you to dictate basically anything. In other words, it listens to what is said and writes it down for you. Beautiful.
9. Quizlet
Quizlet is a college kid's best friend. If you take nothing else from this article, just know that Quizlet will save your ass more times than you can count. Homework, study guides, quizzes, projects, you name it, Quizlet has the answer. Quizlet also offers multiple unique study tools, like flashcards and memory games.
10. Todoist
This one is for the uber hectic ones, who can never keep track of what they're doing. It's even color coded. *faints*
11. SparkNotes
I don't care how much you
12. Duolingo
I took four years of German in high school, and two semesters of Italian my freshman year, and honestly, you'd never know it because I SUCK. But, I made it through thanks to Duolingo. This app helps you learn another language, 23 languages to be exact.
13. Pacifica
My housemate also showed me this app. This app is essential for those who need some reminders to work on their mental health. Pacifica offers, among other things, audio tools, to help relax you with soothing sounds, a mood tracker to help highlights feelings and notice patterns, and journaling, to get your thoughts out.
14. Trello
I can thank my time with Odyssey for this one. Trello is a great place to just dump your ideas. Need to make a grocery list? Or feedback on a project idea? Have a meeting two weeks from now that you just can't forget about? Trello is your go-to app.
15. Spotify
This one might seem silly, but it's not. While Spotify is great for singing your heart out with your friends, it also offers a great selection of previously selected mood music, whether you need to focus and study, or need to sleep, or just calm your mind after a stressful day.
So now, next time your parents make a snide comment about your head being buried in your phone, like we all know they will, you can tell them that you're actually just trying to get your shit together with these super helpful apps.
