Being busy doesn’t mean you need to be stressed! With classes, part-time jobs, a social life and only 24 hours in a day, it can be hard to manage your time well. Whether you’re a freshman trying to find all your classes or a senior looking to land that dream job after graduation, it’s important to make sure you’re not waist-deep in anxiety. Here are seven apps to help you stay organized and make the most out your time!
1. Wunderlist
Price: Free for iPhone.
If you’re someone who hates having too many sticky notes getting in the way, Wunderlist is for you. This app will help you keep all your do-to lists in one place. You can share your lists with coworkers, friends and family and assign each person different tasks. You can also start a group chat to follow up with your plans and update everyone on any changes.
“I use it a lot when I go food shopping because I always have my phone on me and I never forget a grocery list,” says Kasia Jaworski, a senior at Villanova University.
No more rifling through your purse for 10 minutes looking for a scrap of paper! This is your homework agenda, grocery list and social calendar all wrapped into one.
2. JotNot
Price: Free for the iPhone with a pro version for $2.99.Â
Large, complicated scanners can be frustrating and time-consuming to use. With JotNot, you can take a photo of a document with your phone and get almost the same high quality that you would with a scanner!
The difference between this and a regular photo app is that JotNot has an image processor that detects shadows and edges, making your document as clear as it would be if it had been scanned by a machine. Everything is converted into a PDF document, making it easy to export and send documents to professors and classmates. It’s especially useful for keeping track of receipts, billboards, advertisements and whiteboard notes. You can also sync it with the Google Drive app, which will allow you to access the documents from any computer or device!
3. Google Drive
Price: Free for iPhone.
With Google Drive, you can create a document, presentation or spreadsheet that can be shared with other email accounts so that friends and classmates can view your work and make edits! It also means that you can access your work whenever you have Internet, so you don’t have to stress about emailing an essay to yourself before you work on another computer. The app version is even more convenient since you can work whenever you get a few minutes, giving you more time to relax later.
“I can write while walking to class, eating or training on the elliptical and access my writing on any device afterwards,” says Iris Goldsztajn, a junior at The University of California, Los Angeles. It’s definitely one of the apps that every college student needs!
4. Carrot
Price: $2.99 for iPhone for each version.
“Greetings, lazy human.” Carrot uses this type of tough love to motivate us into getting things done! Called the “to-do list with a personality,” it has six different moods that range from happy to angry, and it gradually becomes more annoyed if you neglect your tasks. You can unlock levels by completing the items on your to-do list, and the app upgrades and reveals more features as you use it.
“Carrot is my task manager and best friend,” says Shannon Delijani, a sophomore at the University of Southern California.
When you level up, Carrot will give you one of over 400 rewards, which come in the form of upgrades or stories. Eventually, at level 18, you can set notifications and decide how often you want to be reminded to complete your list. There are three versions of the app: task list and fitness tracker.
5. Period Tracker
Price: Free for iPhone. Deluxe versions available for $1.99 for iPhone and Android.
It might be a little awkward writing your period dates next to your homework schedule, so Period Tracker helps you keep your menstrual information separate from everything else! It’s simple and does all the work for you. You simply select your period start and end dates, and the app gives you a prediction for your next period, your ovulation date and when you’re fertile. You can also get the average length of your cycle and a log of your period history!
Keep in mind that the predictions aren’t perfect, so you should still consult a campus health center for any questions about sexual health or contraception. You can use the app to take notes on your mood and symptoms, which can be helpful whenever you go to the doctor. Since the app icon is called “P Tracker,” you won’t have to feel awkward when friends look over your shoulder!
6. Sunrise Calendar
Price: Free for iPhone and Android.
This calendar app is unique because it can be synced with other popular apps as well as to your computer! Since you can access it at home or on the go, the app is great for both planning an important event and running daily errands. If you’re planning a vacation with an app like TripIt, you can sync the app with Sunrise and have your entire itinerary transported to your calendar! If you’re someone who likes to use a lot of different apps, Sunrise lets you compile everything into one central place. It’s also easy to look back on events if you’re writing a blog or making a vacation scrapbook, because the app lets you search for past plans based on their name, location and which of your friends attended.
7. Spending Tracker
Price: Free for iPhone and Android.
All those morning coffees and sushi trips can really add up! This nifty app lets you set a budget or income for a period of time you choose and shows you in charts how much you have left to spend. You can categorize your purchases with different labels and see a pie chart that shows where you’re spending the most. It’s never too early to start practicing your real-world budgeting skills!
“It’s easy to see how much you spent on clothes, food, alcohol, etc. throughout a month,” Kasia says. “It makes me feel super responsible because I’m keeping track of my money!”
With the help of these apps, you can plan ahead and make sure you’re never overwhelmed! Keep in mind that staying organized isn’t just about getting everything done, but also about making every day healthy and well rounded. Remember that no matter how busy you are, it’s always good to sit back and appreciate what you’ve already done, and maybe also treat yourself for working so hard. After all, every career-minded, organized and ambitious collegiette deserves a break now and then!