College students have to be productive. In trying to manage all my schoolwork, clubs, fraternity, and side projects, I’m constantly searching for programs and apps for productivity, note-taking, security, and even music. After trying dozens of them and seeing which ones most of my friends use, I’ve filtered out the ones that I’ve found the most helpful. Here’s a list of programs (not including the ones you get from MIT for free) that you should download and test out in your first few weeks of college. I’ve been using all the programs listed below for at least the past year and can attest to how well they work.
Sep 19, 2021 Mar 10, 2016 Hey guys! This week I'm giving you my top 10 apps for university and college students! I hope you enjoy, be sure to like & subscribe if you haven't already! Awesome study apps for university. Free Apps For College Students; Best Macs For College Students; Top 10 Mac Apps For College Students 2019; Make your Mac invincible. So, when doing a biology project, you can include subtasks such as “Find sources,” “Upload pictures,” etc. Verdict: Trello is a great college student planner app that runs on a board system. You can create separate cards for each task or project, move them between days or completely customize a new week. So, when doing a biology project, you can include subtasks such as “Find sources,” “Upload pictures,” etc. Verdict: Trello is a great college student planner app that runs on a board system. You can create separate cards for each task or project, move them between days or completely customize a new week.
Note Taking: Evernote
Take down notes from any of your devices and sync across all of them. It doesn’t feel too powerful at first but once you have a lot stored on Evernote, it becomes immensely helpful. When researching someone, I can search for them in my notes and instantly see every book, article, and magazine I’ve read that mentions them. I use Evernote to organize my academic life, keeping my class and book notes together. I also use it as an idea journal, continuously adding and developing new blog posts or business ideas.
Available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone/iPad
Alternatives: Microsoft OneNote, Google Keep
Streaming Music: Spotify
I recently switched from Google Play Music to Spofity because, although Google Play Music served my needs and was super easy to use, all of my friends were on Spotify. A huge part of Spotify is being able to make and share collaborative playlists. I can easily get entire playlists of song recommendations by friends and I can share my own great playlists. If you’re a student, you also get Spotify Premium at the discounted rate of $4.99.
Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iPhone/iPad
Alternatives: Apple Music, Google Play Music
Sleeping Better: f.lux
Using your laptop late at night? The blue glowing light from your screen can trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime, messing up your internal sleep clock. f.lux changes the color of your computer’s display throughout the day – light during daytime and warm during nighttime – to keep your eyes from strain and help you get better sleep.
Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and iPhone/iPad
Time Tracker: Toggl
One way to kill procrastination is to find out how much time you spend on everything you do. Use this app to track your day and see how much you actually spend. I used it and found out that I had a 70 hour work week (just the weekdays) but that one of my classes was taking up more than twice as much time as my other classes. This helped me strategize which class to cut, as well as to clearly see when I was wasting time on distractions. Time tracking is mentioned in 10 Effective Strategies to Fight Procrastination by Addicted2Success.
It’s a web app, no need to download anything. Also available as an app for Android and iPhone/iPad
To-Do: Wunderlist
Make to-do lists with Wunderlist’s clean interface and sync them with your devices. Sort them in folders, mark important ones, and check them off when you finish. You can even layer to-do lists inside individual items. I have a folder for each class and then folders for places to visit, books to read, movies to watch, and my bucket list. It’s a web app, no need to download anything.
Also available as an app for Android and iPhone/iPad
Alternatives: Any.DO, Clear, Google Tasks
Blocking Ads: Adblock Plus
Block tracking, malware domains, banners, pop-ups and video ads. It doesn’t block certain ads like the ones at the beginning of YouTube videos but it does block all the sketchy banner and pop-up ads that come up on the side.
Available for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari, and Internet Explorer.
Also available on Android and iPhone/iPad
Image Editing: GIMP
A free and open source raster image editor. Raster means it uses pixels as opposed to vector images which use geometrical primitives. GIMP is a popular free alternative to Photoshop and I started using it when my Photoshop trial expired. It’s great for photoshopping things and making web graphics which I do a lot for my blog.
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Vector Image Editing: Inkscape
Free and open source vector image editor. Vector images are represented by geometrical primitives so that they can be scaled up or down without ever getting pixely, making them perfect when you want to make a design for anything that’s larger than your computer screen. I use this a lot for the jobs I do in graphic design, as well as for designing shirts for my fraternity or large banners for my events.
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
eBook Library: Amazon Kindle
Store any ebooks purchased on Amazon and sync them across all of your devices. Huge library of books, and many are offered for free. The books are ePub format so the paragraphs adapt to your screen for a comfortable read. You can highlight in different colors, bookmark pages, write notes, and then view all of your highlights and notes on a separate page. You can download your books onto your devices to read them offline. You can also store your own PDF’s. I love this app as I can carry my entire book library, including textbooks, everywhere I go. You don’t need to purchase a Kindle, just get the app.
Available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone/iPad
Alternatives: Google Play Books
Syncing Text Messages with Computer: MightyText
If you have an iPhone, Apple syncs your messages, letting you text from your Macbook. I wanted to do this for my Android, so I got MightyText, which syncs my messages and lets me text from my Windows computer and works just as well.
Available only for Android phones and tablets. However, it’s a web app so you can connect your Android phone to Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Tracking Stolen Devices: Prey
Download Prey onto your laptop or phone and it’ll automatically upload your device’s location every 20 minutes as long as it’s powered on and connected to the internet. You can take webcam screenshots, set off alerts, change the password, wipe the data, all remotely from any browser. Free to use for up to three devices.
Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone/iPad
Cloud Storage: Dropbox
Storing all your files on the cloud is beneficial in two ways. 1) Your files are backed up online in case your laptop breaks. 2) You can sync your files and access them across your devices. When I want to transfer photos to my computer, I simply upload it to Dropbox from my phone. They’re also backed up that way in case I ever lose my phone. You can also share folders with others for collaborative projects. *MIT students get unlimited Dropbox storage space.
Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone/iPad
Alternatives: Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, SugarSync. I use all of them for slightly different purposes.
Best Free Mac Apps For College Students 2021
Office Suite: Google Docs
While not as powerful as paid Microsoft Office (which is given to MIT students for free), Google Docs is much more flexible and can be accessed entirely online. You can also download a client to edit offline. Google Docs is also great for collaboration on projects, as you can have multiple people edit a document at the same time and see everyone’s edits as they’re made. Your documents also sync with Google Drive and are stored online. Google Docs for word documents, Google Sheets for spreadsheets, and Google Slides for presentations.
It’s a web app so no software download required. Also available for Android and iPhone/iPad Alternatives: LibreOffice, Microsoft Office (paid).
What programs or apps have been the most useful for you? Let us know in the comments below.
Being a student isn’t easy, and with distractions all around us, it isn’t surprising that many of us find it challenging to organize our time or to stay focused on our studies.
As a university student, time management is not only an essential skill to find success in your academics, but it also allows you to make time for other passions, and to take care of yourself and your mental health.
Thankfully, there are some great apps out there to help you maximize your productivity! I’ve divided these student productivity apps into three categories: focus, time management, and note taking. Also, did I mention that these apps are all free (or almost free)?
If you’re looking to amp up your productivity, here are my top 10 best productivity apps.
Stay focused
Do you often find yourself with the intention of studying but end up scrolling through Instagram a few minutes later? These apps will help you follow through on what you intend to do, or even shut out the distractions entirely.
Forest
iOS, Android, Chrome extension || Free for Android or $2.79 on iOS
This app takes on a creative approach to help you stay focused. Whenever you want to start a study session, you plant a tree in your in-app “forest”. As you work, the tree will begin to grow, but if you pick up your phone and leave the app, your tree dies! You can collect and add more trees to your forest the more you focus. The company even plants real trees in dozens of countries! It’s a win-win situation for you and the Earth.
Tide
iOS, Android, Chrome extension || Free
My personal favourite focus app, Tide is the perfect fusion of productivity, wellness, and beautiful design. The app allows you to set up personalized Pomodoro-focus sessions, with a wide variety of nature sounds, white noise, and calm music. If you leave the app, you’ll “fail” the focus section! The app also features sleep, nap, meditation, and beautiful daily quotes to keep you motivated.
Motion
Chrome extension || Free for Personal Plan
As a university student, you’ll be using laptops A LOT, and if you’re using the internet to work and take notes, well - I hate to break it to you but distractions are aplenty in your browser as well. Motion’s free plan will block distracting sites like Facebook and YouTube (or gives you 1 minute to quickly check what you need). You’ll also receive a report on how much of your time online is productive or distracted.
Cold Turkey
MacOS, Windows (Works on all web browsers) || Free for Basic Plan
If you still find yourself getting distracted, this one’s for you. I’ve used this app in my browser and let me tell you - it works. Cold Turkey will allow you to start a timer, during which distracting websites will be blocked entirely. Until the timer stops, there’s no way to unblock the sites and no turning back. You can even block the entire internet if you need to. Other apps have a way around website blocks, but not this one. Talk about tough love.
Manage your time
You’ll be in charge of your own time in university, so it’s important to stay on top of your schedule and things you need to do. If you never liked carrying a physical agenda around, give these apps a try.
Google Calendar
Web application, iOS, Android || Free
Google Calendar is classic, simple, practical, and by far the most used app by all my peers. It allows you to organize all your classes, events, extracurriculars, and assignment deadlines across your phone and computer. With its clean interface, you can easily see commitments throughout your day, week and month. Set up reminders before events or for to-dos so you’ll never forget anything. Say goodbye to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings, and hello to an organized student life!
Microsoft To Do
Web application, iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows || Free
As a University of Waterloo student, you have access to all the Microsoft 365 apps at your fingertips, for free. Using Microsoft To Do, you can start each day with a clean outlook on the tasks you need to do, across all your devices. Being a student involves balancing assignments, clubs, errands, and everyday tasks, so this app can help you get each task finished. If a task requires multiple steps, you can add subtasks under each one! When you’re done, enjoy the satisfaction of checking it off.
Best Apps For College Students On Mac
Todoist
iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, multiple browser extensions || Free for Starter Plan
Todoist is for those who want that cherry on top in their time management. This app combines efficiency with simplicity, using its various task-keeping features. Set up different to-do lists under different projects, create reminders, and set different priorities on your tasks. Todoist’s language recognition will even automatically set a single or recurring time for your task. Type in “do laundry on Mondays at 8” and it’ll remind you to “do laundry” every Monday at 8 a.m. Now that’s power.
Up your note-taking game
University lectures can be overwhelming, but with a good note-taking system, learning, studying, and reviewing will be a breeze. Unreadable handwriting? Never heard of it.
Microsoft OneNote
Web application, iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows || Free
OneNote is an essential digital notebook that you’ll find many Waterloo students using. Create separate notebooks for different subjects, which can be organized into sections, and further into pages. Highlight important ideas, record voice notes, make handwritten notes and doodles, and type out your lecture notes. OneNote’s flexibility, power, and paper-like look makes it perfect for any student.
Best Mac Software 2020
Evernote
iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, multiple browser extensions || Free for Basic Plan
Evernote is another powerful note-taking app that boasts a wide array of features that will allow you to make the most of your university learning. Along with the basic features of a digital notebook, Evernote allows you to also retrieve text from images, make to-do lists, scan physical documents, and save web articles and PDFs to annotate inside your notes. On your phone, you can even search, edit and create notes straight in Siri or Ok Google.
Your Waterloo one-stop shop
Navigating through university life can be intimidating, especially as a first year, but the University of Waterloo has got your back. As a Warrior, we’ve got a go-to app for all your Waterloo needs.
Portal
Web application, iOS, Android || Free
Once you arrive on campus, Portal will become your go-to app for everything Waterloo. Portal is connected to your Waterloo userid for the most personalized experience as a Waterloo student. View your class information, grades, exam schedule, deadlines, and calculate the grades you need. If you’re a new Warrior, the campus map will be your new best friend. The map also displays places to get food and available classrooms for you to study in. You can also see your meal plan and flex dollars balance, campus life updates, and other important news as a Warrior! Downloading Portal is definitely a no-brainer.
Mac Software For Students
And there you have it. You now know 10 apps that will help you improve your habits and make your productivity soar. However, downloading an app is not a magic formula for success, so our top time management tips can help you enhance your personal time management skills. No student is perfect, but hopefully these apps can get you back in control of your student life!