by Patricia Negron

In today’s technology-crazed world there is a vast array of useful apps for our phones and tablets that can help us organize and study for our classes. 

But with so many options, knowing which ones to choose can be difficult. Here, I have an overview of some of the apps I have found most helpful for studying, controlling social media, and organization.

“iStudiez Lite” runs on both Mac and iPod Touch and allows the user to color-code their work schedule (which is great if you’re a visual person), create reminders and push notifications, and even store information. “Exam Countdown” is similar because you can keep track of all your exams, essays and due dates, and you can create a different to-do list for each one.

“Self Control” helps those who can be distracted by anything on social media concentrate on actually studying, by blocking the access for designated apps for a pre-set period of time, although they won’t be unblocked, even if you erase the app.

“Flashcards+” allows the user to review for tests while you walk to class, and you can either make your own set or choose from one of millions of pre-made decks on different subjects through “Quizlet.” You can also make cards on your  iPad and send them to your iPhone.

For Android users, there are also a variety of apps that can be beneficial. “Share Your Board” and “The RealCalc Scientific Calculator” allows for students to carry the complexity of a scientific calculator right in their pocket.

“Study Checker” enables students to analyze your study habits by recording how much time they actually spend studying as well as the length and quantity of the user’s breaks, allowing them to see why they didn’t ace that last test. “Caynax Time Management” helps you organize your time between studying and taking breaks, so you can schedule various five-minute breaks and make sure you don’t extend them.

“Silence” allows you to pre-set your class schedule into your Android phone so that you’re sure you didn’t forget to put it on silent or vibrate before class, and you can also be sure that after class the sound automatically turns on, making sure  that you don’t miss any important calls. “Encore Study Platform” is another flashcard app that connects to both “Quizlet” and “FlashcardExchange” so that you can search amongst millions of study sets, or you can make and edit your own.

The next few apps can help both Android and iPhone or iPad users. “The Oxford Dictionary” App can help any student, no matter how extensive their knowledge of the English language is.

For students learning a new language, I recommend “Babylon,” which has a flashcard option that’s perfect for studying for vocabulary quizzes before class.

For those sleepy-heads like me, there are two apps that can help you wake up in the morning. “Sleep If U Can” doesn’t turn off the alarm until you take a picture of an area you previously chose (like the bathroom). I preferred “Maths Alarm Clock” which restricts the user from turning off their alarm until they’ve solved a relatively simple math problem.

And, these are just a few of the thousands available.