Collegiettes and anyone who owns a mobile device these days are surrounded by countless apps every day. There are apps for everything! Think of the most pointless concept imaginable, and there is likely an app for it. This week, I’ve assembled a few apps that are actually useful. So if you’re as tired of snapping selfies for Snapchat as I am, take a look!
1. NYT NowDid you know UF has supplied all of its students with free one-year subscriptions to the New York Times? #winning! I’ve always been interested in current events, but this app takes it to a new level with a holistic approach to the traditional news. Remember that “To Fall in Love with Anyone, Do This” article? It was the one where acquaintances ask each other 36 questions and then have a staring contest for four minutes. Yeah, I heard about that way before it was on Facebook because of this app. So, don’t think that this app will bog you down with the often disheartening headlines you hear. Get up to date now!
2. Heads UpThis game has saved me during boring and awkward moments when people should be socializing but are really just standing in a circle on their phones. You might’ve heard of it, but it’s the charades game where you place a phone on your forehead and everyone helps you guess the word on the screen. There are a ton of categories to suit any different group of people. But be warned: The Harry Potter round is no joke. Download this gem today in the fight against social awkwardness.
3. Bands in TownThis app is incredible. It will scan your music library and tell you when and where your favorite artists will be performing months in advance! Did you know Hozier, Kid Ink and Jason Mraz will all be performing in Florida this year? Neither did I before I got this app! If you love music, please do yourself a favor and get this app so you can be aware of concerts happening near you without missing out.
4. RetailMeNotThe Pandora commercial for this app may have driven you insane by now, but trust me—this may be the one time you don’t hate Pandora commercials. As financially challenged college students, good deals are our friends. This app has everything you need to know to save some money that you’d rather spend on clothes, or more importantly, Chipotle. You can pick your favorite stores to learn about deals from, and it will even tell you about online sales. RetailMeNot even has a map to show you which nearby stores are having deals! There’s also a category for book sales, so this app was basically made for me.
5. LinkedInI know this article just took a turn down “adulthood road,” but hear me out. If you’re anything like me, then your Instagram account is 100 times more active than your LinkedIn profile. As future professionals of some sort, I feel it is important we start acting like it! All I’m asking you to do is make sure your profile is in good shape and to check your account periodically. Just seeing the app on your home screen will remind you to keep striving, keep dreaming and to keep being the driven and productive young lady I know you are.
I hope you’ve found some of these apps enlightening. But more importantly, I hope you stay informed about the world, sing your heart out at a ton of concerts and land your dream job one day. It’s actually pretty amazing how many doors these apps can open. Your Snapchat story is about to get so much more interesting.
Photo credit: theguardian.com