Cramming isn’t an effective study tool. Time management is. This article discusses the best productivity tools for college students who are currently studying, or who will soon begin their studies.
Everybody knows that it’s super important to keep track of your academic existence. Academics, activities and work never take a break, and your time is valuable too. Therefore, if you want to stay on top of your college life, having the right tools in place is a must. Luckily for you, here’s a complete guide with essential tools for college students!
GoConqr
GoConqr is an easy-to-use online tool that lets students create mind maps, quizzes, slides, study planners, flashcards, and more. This app is expertly designed to help you get that coveted A on exams and assignments. You can also freely access over three million resources to complement your study plans.
What we loved:
- Study planner offers innovative ways to allocate time
- Free version gives access to all features (but is ad-supported)
- Every online study resource you need in one app
What could be improved:
- Interface is not particularly user-friendly
- Less flexibility with multimedia
Quizlet
Quizlet offers a user-centric online study tool and trains students via games, flashcards, quizzes, and study sets. Not only is Quizlet ideal for all ages, but it’s also free! Its interactive platform covers multiple streams from languages to math and can also be connected to Google Classrooms.
What we loved:
- Interactive user experience for learners
- Wide range of subjects including arts, languages, and science
- Android and iOS apps available
What could be improved:
- Content needs to be vetted by experts since it is mostly user-generated
- Limited operating flexibility in the free version
The Rapid E-Learning Blog (Articulate Network)
Tom Kuhlmann is a blogger who shares practical tips all students can benefit from. The blog offers up-to-date information on different education-related topics that will help you become an e-learning pro. The discussions under each post are also very valuable, so don’t forget to read the comments and join the community.
Prezi
A free online, interactive alternative for PowerPoint for attention-grabbing, attractive presentations. You can include images, videos, text, audio, and have a lot of visual and graphic creative options. You can import images and videos straight from google into your presentation, zoom in and out, follow a path, and more.
myHomework
This app is an option for students who want a tool solely devoted to school. No more student planners—now you can use your favorite devices to stay organized. Free and paid versions are available for iPhone, Android, Mac, PC, Kindle Fire, and Google Chrome browser.
Evernote
Evernote makes collating all your information, notes, and research a breeze — particularly if you’re studying online. You can create different spaces for all your subjects, and keep everything logically organized. We particularly liked its automatic sync feature which keeps all of your notes automatically up to date on all of your devices, even while switching between your laptop, phone, or tablet.
What we loved:
- Automatic sync feature with cloud storage
- Flexible and supremely easy to use
- Top-notch user experience
What could be improved:
- Lacks productivity features
- Need a premium subscription to use most features
StudyBlue
Collaboration is the name of the game for this website. StudyBlue connects students through similar learning goals and subjects, allowing them to share and access flashcards, study guides, and more. StudyBlue can even connect students in specific classes, letting them message each other and collaborate on projects.
The site also has a diverse content library, multiple study modes, class-based study guides, storage for all your notes, and a real-time self-assessing score that tracks your progress on a subject. And with free mobile apps, StudyBlue can be taken on the go.
Marinara Timer
Despite making you hungry for some spaghetti, this site is dedicated to increasing productivity. Inspired by the Pomodoro method of productivity—working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break—Marinara Timer allows you to customize your own personal timer (complete with entertaining alarm sounds like “alien bot ordering lunch” or “echoing into space”) to study effectively.
Taking a small break while studying increases attention span, focus, and productivity. This site can help you reward yourself for your hard work by letting you know it’s time to sit back scroll through your Twitter feed or watch a few funny videos. It then lets you know when it’s time to get back to work.
Mendeley
A reference manager and PDF reader, Mendeley offers students the ability to annotate and highlight PDFs, generate references and citations, sync work across devices and search a vast online library. The first two gigabytes of storage are free, with plans ranging from $55 to $165 a year for additional capacity.
MindMeister
A tool for visualizing ideas, MindMeister allows users to generate idea maps. According to the app’s website, uses include project planning, note taking, meeting management and more. Though the basic version is free, plans for personal, pro or business accounts run from $4.99 to $12.49.
MyLifeOrganized
A task management app, MyLifeOrganized allows users to break down tasks into obtainable goals, automatically sort priority action items and see what’s scheduled for the day. Both free and paid options exist for the app with a cost of $29.99 for a professional account on mobile devices.
Essay Reviews
Any student knows that there is plenty of writing during college. This skill is crucial if you want to organize the way you think, express your thoughts, and train your memory. Yet, with all its advantages, writing has an essential drawback that you could have experienced at least once in your life. It’s time-consuming.
Imagine that you have an essay to write, but there’s not enough time to do it yourself and you don’t know which company to turn to. In this case, you might want to turn to EssayShark Reviews. This tool helps students find the best writing service that will certainly deliver a high-quality essay.
By testing different writing services at first hand, the Essay Reviews’ team makes sure that your assignment gets into good hands. As you can see, there is no need to learn by trial and error.
With Essay Reviews, you can have your essay written by carefully chosen profs.
Google Arts & Culture
Even if you’re not a College of Art student, you still might seek for platforms to bring you aesthetic joy. If so, then Google Arts & Culture is a perfect place for you. Here you can virtually visit museums, attend exhibitions, and enjoy some of the world’s most famous works of art.
With the help of this platform, you can gain new knowledge, broaden your mind, and get inspiration. Those are rather necessary things for a student in any major. Also, if you ever were curious about famous portraits that your face might resemble, try using the feature called “Art Selfie.”
Love traveling? Then this platform could also be of service to you. For example, you might want to enjoy one of the cultural itineraries through Italy, France or Spain. Besides, visiting famous sites and landscapes from your sofa might be a nice way to escape from studying for a short while.
Not sure about the difference between Manet and Monet? Google Arts & Culture platform is there for you and your aesthetic pleasure!
Conclusion:
As a college student, you want to get the most out of your experience. One of the best ways to do that is with the right tools. Whether you’re running out of time on an assignment or just looking to become more productive, there are tons of tools you can use to boost both your school performance and your productivity in general.