Want the best year ever? There’s an app for that. Ever since I got an iPhone, I’ve been a little too obsessed with the App Store and discovering cool new finds to download. While it comes as no shock that many of the better apps will cost you a dollar or two, there’s been a surprising amount of free apps I’ve found that are freaking awesome. So, grab your phone, tablet or computer and prepare to spend hours putting off that paper due tomorrow.
For Maximizing Style
1. Stylebook-$3.99
If you’re willing to drop a little extra cash, this app is a lifesaver for anyone who often finds themselves starting in the closet completely at a loss on what to wear. Simply download the app and take pictures of all of the items of clothing you own. This customizable app will cull all of your clothing and allow you to combine pieces to create new outfits you may have never even considered! Plan outfits and even designate days on a calendar of when you want to wear them! It’s pricy, but think of all the time you’ll save by jumping out of bed and not thinking twice about what you’re going to wear.
2. Go Try It On-Free
Ever need a second opinion on what to wear before going out? This app will be your saving grace. Whether you’re at home or in the dressing room, upload pictures of your different looks and get feedback from fashion-forward users across the globe. Get your friends to download the app for a more personal experience. For a safer experience, you can blur out your face to maximize anonymity.
3. ishoes
Shoe lovers, rejoice! Browse from over 50,000 shoes until you find the style that’s right for you with this free, handy app. You can search by brand or style, and you can even create a wish list if you need to save up some money before buying your heart out.
4. ShopSavvy
If you’re always searching for the lowest price, like me, this app is for you. Simply scan a barcode and it will find you the lowest online or local price of what you’re looking for. A blue dot next to the price lets you know whether or not the product is in stock. You can also get instant directions to the retailer from where you are. The app is free AND you save more money by using it. What are you waiting for?!
For Out of Class
1. Etsy
Want a cute and one-of-a-kind pair of earrings or painting? Head over to Etsy to browse over 11 million unique items created by independent and small businesses from all over the world. With this app you can browse items by categories, talk with sellers, and buy items directly from your phone. You can also upload your own creative products to sell at your store and manage your business all while lounging at ABP in between classes.
2. Coupons.com
Want to try to be an extreme couponer? Well this free app is definitely for you! You can access hundreds of coupons from groceries to personal care products. You can also promote local shopping with coupons from local businesses in your area. Add desired coupons to your cart and see the savings stack up and you are well on your way to be a professional money-saver!
3. Fitness Buddy
Looking to stay healthy when the school year rolls around? Never fear, this wonderful app is here! Though it may seem counter-productive to rely on your phone or computer to help you with reaching your fitness goals, Fitness Buddy has got your best interests in check. Choose from over 1700 unique exercises and track your workouts. With detailed exercise instructions and categories, you can find exactly what you’re looking for. Kick the habit of staying in because “you’re too tired to go to the gym” and stick with your fitness commitments this year!
4. The Snack App
Sometimes it’s easy to think I’m invisible to the ‘freshman 15’ phenomenon just because I’m a senior. How wrong I am. With school in full swing and exam and paper deadlines rapidly approaching, you’ll want to have a few go-to snack ideas for when you’re feeling hungry. Enter: The Snack App. Not only can you choose delicious options for under 200 calories, you can also specify what you want by choosing certain categories- such as sweet, salty and creamy.
For Hitting the Books
1.. Dictionary.com-Free
How do you spell convenient? This app will definitely come in handy when you’re writing a paper and are stumped on how to spell a big word. The top in-app purchase also comes with a thesaurus. Currently sitting on a 5-star rating and free of charge, there’s no excuse not to download this helpful tool.
2. Dropbox-Free
Always seem to be losing those little flash drives? Dropbox allows you to back up and share larger files all with the touch of your finger. The best part? Any file you save to your Dropbox is accessible from your computer, laptop, iPad, or dropbox.com. Makes life a whole lot easier, doesn’t it?
3. iTunes U-Free
Ever wanted to learn Chinese but never had enough time? Download this nifty app, and you’ll get access to free courses created and taught by instructors from leading universities around the world. You can choose from more than 500,000 free lectures with topics ranging from robotics to the American Revolution.