While professors may label them as a distraction, our collection of smartphones, laptops and tablets just may be the secret to getting a perfect grade. If you’re looking to keep your motivation going through the rest of the semester, take advantage of these six applications next time you’re in class.
Evernote Peek
Cost: Free
Designed to help students learn and retain information, Peek uses the iPad Smart Cover to let students take charge of their study habits. Based on a digital flashcard system, you can stop stockpiling those index cards and upgrade to the study tool of the future. Similar to lifting a page, just peel the Smart Cover back one notch to display a prompt, then peel it back another to reveal the answer. It even keeps track of which questions you get right and wrong so you can see what you need to review later.
This app is useful for just about anything; from reviewing vocabulary for an upcoming Spanish test to helping us remember the new physics formulas the professor went over in class. Peek organizes all your study material in one place and makes it fun enough to help motivate you through your next all-nighter.
Skype
Cost: Free
Start up study sessions anytime and anywhere. The group video calling feature takes the stress out of group projects by bringing everyone together without having to coordinate a place that fits everyone’s busy schedule. Have a question on a Calculus problem but your study buddy lives across campus? Start up a video chat and you’ll have the answer you need in no time. There may be some competition in the market for applications that offer face-to-face interaction – like Apple’s FaceTime- but Skype is still the best around when it comes to cross-platform communication. You can choose from a computer, smartphone or tablet to connect with friends, family and study buddies.
AroundMe
Cost: Free
Your guide to all things local, AroundMe is there when you need to find a new study spot after the libraries get too crowded. Search for coffee shops, restaurants where you can grab a quick bite to eat and continue on your study grind or even the closest bar for post-test celebrations.
Snoozerr Recordings
Cost: $0.99
Ideal for recording lectures or group brainstorming sessions, Snoozerr lets you record audio and pair it with time-stamped pictures. With the help of your smartphone, take note of interesting lecture topics by snapping a picture of the professor’s PowerPoint slide or your own notes. Audio and picture files are linked together, making it easy to share your notes with friends and classmates.
Grades 2
Cost: Free
Need to know what you have to score on your final to get an A in the class? Keep track of your grades and upcoming due dates with this handy app that makes grade calculations a snap. The simple interface lets you input grades for assignments, tests and projects so you can easily see what your overall grades and GPA are.
Twitter
Cost: Free
Take a break from your friend’s Twitter feed and follow your professor’s account to stay up to date on class assignments and upcoming lectures. The University of Florida has a host of resources to help students stay connected with their colleges and upcoming events, so take advantage of the different accounts.