Smartphones are great for scrolling through your newsfeed in big lecture halls or checking up on Instagram likes instead of doing homework. But what if your phone could actually help you earn that elusive 4.0? If you’re looking for some cool tech to help improve your schoolwork this year, here are four free apps that I recommend downloading today!
1. Duolingo
Voted iPhone App of the year in 2013, Duolingo is the best foreign language learning app around. It combines speaking, writing, and repetition exercises to help you master another language in about 15 min a day! Plus the app gives out special points and rewards for completing lessons that make it feel more like playing a game than studying.
Over the summer I was really worried about forgetting all the Italian I learned in previous semesters and feared coming back to class not knowing a single word. When I found Duolingo, it was perfect for brushing up on my skills and grammar without sacrificing the relaxing academic break of summer vacation.
2. Quizlet
Flashcards are one of the best study strategies around, and Quizlet makes them even easier! You type out whatever terms and definitions you need and instantly have a set of digital flashcards that can be organized by chapter and subject into different folders. While I’m also a big fan of writing out paper flashcards, it’s so much more convenient to have an entire catalog available on your phone to sneak in some studying on the train or during the 10 minute wait before your next class.
3. SelfControl
How many times have you sat down determined to hammer out a giant history paper only to find yourself scrolling through Facebook every five minutes? For most college students the Internet is the ultimate procrastination tool and social media is way more tempting than research or writing lab reports. The SelfControl app for Macs is the best way I’ve found to fight this temptation by completely blocking all my go-to distractions. The app allows you to type in which websites you want to be off-limits (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr etc.) and select a time limit like 45min or 2 hours. During that time you will be totally unable to access those sites even if you shut down your computer or open another browser. If this seems a little harsh remember your GPA will thank you in the long run!
4. Written? Kitten!
Looking for a more cuddly kind of motivation? Check out writtenkitten.net where for every 100 words of an assignment you complete you’re rewarded with a new photo of an adorable kitten! The site’s perfect for providing that extra boost of encouragement if you’re in a research paper rut or want to finally start working on that best-selling novel you always wanted to write!
With all of the useful apps available to students now, there’s no reason to think of your cellphone or laptop as the ultimate enemy of study time. With just a few quick downloads, you can transform your former procrastination methods into even more opportunities for success.