Back to school season can be a hectic time of year. Between new classes, homework, and adjusting to dorm life, it’s pretty easy to become stressed out. Fortunately, we live in a tech-centered world where there’s an app for everything. Here are seven apps to help you get back on track for the start of the school year.
1. Pocket Schedule (iOS)
Pocket Schedule is a great app to help you keep track of your classes and schoolwork. You simply enter your classes into the app, and they’ll send you a reminder when your class is about to start. You can also add your professor’s contact information, and even room numbers so you don’t get lost on the first day. Pocket Schedule doesn’t only do classes; there’s also a section for your assignments! You can organize them in order of importance, due date, or by course. I love how highly customizable the app is. It really helps me to stay organized!
2. GroupMe (iOS and Android)
Back to school means back to group projects, and random numbers in your phone from people you barely know. With GroupMe, you don’t have to clutter your contacts with “Jen from Com,” “Brandon Green Shirt,” and “Gabby With Red Hair”. GroupMe is an app that allows you to be in group chats outside of your text message app, keeping school and work separate from your private life. If someone in your group doesn’t have the app, no sweat! They can be added by phone number and will receive all messages through regular text messages. This app is a huge lifesaver for large groups, and can keep all your group chats organized.
3. Plant Nanny (iOS and Android)
Plant Nanny is an app that helps you keep track of your water intake by growing a cute little plant! You enter a few facts about yourself and the app calculates how much water you should drink each day. Then, when you drink, you enter it into the app and your plant grows! As it grows, you earn upgrades that can be spent on different types of plants or different planters. The app will send you reminders to make sure you meet your daily water intake, so there’s no way to forget to water this plant. It’s a cute and fun way to make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day!
4. Spotify Music (iOS and Android)
Music is such a great way to destress and relax after a long day. The Spotify Music app is the best way to stay connected to all your favorite artists and songs. You can make playlists for anything imaginable; studying, relaxing, “singing in the shower”, even rainy Tuesday afternoon playlists! They also offer podcasts on a number of topics, which is good to listen to in the morning as you’re getting ready, or heading to class. You can also search the app for pre-made playlists if you aren’t into making your own. One of the best features? Spotify will automatically make playlists for you based on what you listen to. I love putting on music and dancing around my room, and Spotify always has the songs I’m looking for.
5. Lose It! Calorie Counter and Weight Loss Tracker (iOS and Android)
If there’s one thing everyone dreads about being back at school, it’s eating at the dining hall. If you’re looking to keep off the dreaded “Freshman 15,” or just want to start eating healthier, Lose It! is a great way to keep track of what you’re eating. You input what you’re eating, and the app keeps track of all your nutritional information. You can even scan barcodes to make tracking your nutrition much easier. There is also a super handy search function to find foods if you aren’t sure how many calories are in your piece of lasagna.
6. Stop, Breathe & Think (iOS and Android)
Stop, Think and Breathe is an app that was recommended to me by a friend to help out with those nights when you just can’t fall asleep. The meditation app is tailored to you; every time you open the app, you can “Check in,” inputting how you feel physically and mentally, and the app will tailor a meditation/exercise routine for you to follow to improve your day. Or, if you’re looking for something specific, the app has a section for you to explore different activities. Don’t know how to meditate? No problem! The app has tutorials to teach you how.
7. Don’t Break the Chain (iOS)
I always find myself the most motivated at the beginning of the school year. To keep myself on track with my goals, I use Don’t Break the Chain. The method was originally created by Jerry Seinfeld to keep him writing jokes every day. It works like this: each day you achieve your goal, whatever it may be, you put a big red X through that day on a calendar. Once you have multiple days under your belt, you see your long chain and feel motivated to keep it going and not break it. I find that the visual makes you feel accomplished and helps keep you working towards your goals.