I’m pretty sure you have stumbled upon some TikTok hacks that seem a bit absurd and pointless (we’ve all been caught up by the 5-minute hacks trend). But, let’s be real, that app is filled with super clever tips that we’ll certainly change your life — well, at least they changed mine.
So, let’s start:
- GCal is your best friend
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I’m serious. I was always a big planner enthusiast, wanting to have my schedule written down detail by detail, but I was always unmotivated while doing so. First of all, it took so much time to organize everything. Second, I always forgot the color code I had created the week before. Third and final, I always seemed to forget my planner at home.
When I first opened Google Calendar, I was a bit intimidated by the bright colors. Until TikTok told me that I could change all the palettes for my liking. I know. In five minutes, I created an aesthetically pleasing calendar that color codes things automatically.
And how long did it take to organize everything? Minutes. If you are a college student in the US, when you open your class calendar, you can choose to “share it” and import it to Google Calendar, so the computer does all the scheduling for you. Super easy, right?
At last, my favorite thing about GCal: creating habits. If you download the app, you can create “tasks” and “routines” you want to start and Google will automatically find free time in your schedule to do the stuff you want. That is how I organized my reading time and gym appointments. (And if the time it offers you doesn’t work, Google will learn your daily schedule to find the best time available).
- Get free stuff just by being a college student
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Original Illustration Designed in Canva for Her Campus Media There is nothing better than getting a good discount at your favorite shop. Did you know that being a college student gets you a bunch of free services online? Let me show you.
Thinking about online shopping? Amazon Prime is cheaper for college students, and you can get a free month trial. Spotify and YouTube have a similar policy, where you can get a free trial and discount on their regular premium plans.
If you are into design, if you sign up to Canva with your college e-mail, you can get their Pro plan until the end of your degree (this can also be done by GitHub).
Looking for online courses that will get you ready for the job of your dreams? Just like Canva, if you sign up to Coursera with your college e-mail, you can get one of their paid classes for free. That is how I got my specialization in Music Business at UC Berkley while studying from my bedroom… in Brazil… for free.
- Don’t know how to do your citations correctly? Let google docs help you!
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This is a golden tip for all the girlies out there that are constantly writing essays. Citation can be tough and confusing and creating your bibliography too. That’s when we use this Google Docs tip.
If you go to “Tools”, then “Citations” and choose the style guide your college uses, you can get everything done automatically by typing all the basic information you have about the article, book, or thesis you are using. Just like that! Thank me later.
- Google Scholar is a go-to essay essential
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Illustration by Sketchify in Canva And speaking of essay, I have news: Wikipedia can’t be your source of information in college. I hate to break it to you. With Google Scholar, you can search actual books, scientific papers, and other reliable pieces of text you can use for your projects.
The best part? Just like Google Docs, you can hate them to automatically make the text you choose into part of your bibliography. All you have to do is click the quote icon right below the links on the browser.
- can’t concentrate while studying alone? YouTube has the solution
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If you are anything like me, you get easily distracted while studying alone in your room. You will start your essay and five minutes later you will be scrolling through TikTok. That’s when my For You told me about fake Zoom calls and “Study with Me”s.
If you search for “Study with Harry Styles” you will get a fan-made Zoom call with him that makes it look like you are studying together on a Zoom call. They even put chill music behind it and coffee shop sounds, so you can be even more focused on your stuff. 10/10.
