There’s no shame in denying it, we all use our smart phones way too often, for inappropriate amounts of time, and sometimes in situations where we shouldn’t even have our phones in our hands. Having reached the conclusion that there’s just no stopping the smart phone crazed collegiette, I have selected my top 5 favorite apps to use on my phone. All of the apps listed are free and compatible for iPhone and iPad users and some are available on Android and Windows phones as well.
Wunderlist – To-Do & Task List
Created by, 6 Wunderkinder
Have you ever found yourself creating a to-do list for the day on a scrap piece of paper or perhaps a random sticky note and then losing that note and thus the entire plan for your day? Well if you have, or if you’re just really into making organized to-do lists for the week or even a grocery list, the free app Wunderlist is just for you! Wunderlist provides a platform for note taking that can be synced across your devices and even shared with friends and classmates, making it the perfect way to organize a group project. This time of the year is always busy for collegiettes between scheduling time to study for exams and preparing for upcoming holiday celebrations you won’t want to miss a single thing on your lists.
Created by, Circa, 1605, inc.
I recently downloaded this app in an effort to become more informed on today’s current events and I don’t regret the decision one bit. As college students, it’s important that we are knowledgeable on the latest news of the day so that we can be prepared to discuss with individuals, such as professors or potential employers, in conversation. The Circa News app is perfect for moments when you have spare time and don’t feel like scrolling through an endless Twitter or Facebook feed. The app breaks down news stories into small pieces, giving you the essential information on news from around the world. When you make an account within the app you can choose to follow a news story and as new developments are made, Circa will send notifications to your phone. The app’s simple design is easy on the eyes and specifically designed for quick and on the go reading.
Created by, Headspace meditation limited
Most of the time when people hear the word “meditation”, images of monks sitting cross-legged or perhaps a free spirited yoga teacher come to mind. Headpsace is an app that is designed to take the ancient practice of meditation and relate it to individuals in the 21st century. Meditation has been linked to helping people sleep better at night, develop more focus during the day, and escape a busy mind. Finding a way to exercise the mind, outside of lectures, is essential for every collegiette and Headspace provides a convenient medium to do so. The app breaks down each meditation session daily and eases you into the practice starting at beginner levels which progress as you do more sessions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or can’t seem to find a way to focus, this app would be a great one to have and develop a new skill.
Created by, Songza Media, Inc.
Songza is a music app that streams playlists according to your mood, activity, decade, or genre. The experts at Songza create music playlists for just about every activity imaginable and the best part is that they do all of the hard work for you! If you want to play music in the shower from the early 2000’s, there’s a playlist for that. Cooking dinner with your dad and need to listen to some classic rock? Songza has a playlist for that. You can save your favorite playlists and come back to them later and even share on Facebook, Twitter, and email. The app acts as a concierge music streaming service that can be convenient if you don’t keep music on your phone or want to be introduced to new tracks.
Created by, SoulPancake Techonologies LLC
You may have already been introduced to SoulPancake if you’ve seen any of the adorable and totally relevant Kid President videos on YouTube that went viral earlier this year. SoulPancake was founded in 2008 by Rainn Wilson, most known for his role as Dwight Schrute on NBC’s The Office. The app is a place where community between strangers is fostered through thought provoking prompts, videos, and questions. SoulPancake’s mission is to spark a conversation about the biggest questions everyone tries to answer about life. Even if you don’t make an account with SoulPancake the app is a great way to gain some perspective on different views of a topic you may have never even considered before.