Smartphones give users the ability to have everything they could ever need at their fingertips. Apps give smartphone owners access to games, social media, and anything else the worldwide web entails. It can be difficult to make sense of the vast array of these applications. Here is a concise list of the top 10 apps that every college student should have.
1. Bandsintown
This app is great for finding local concerts by your favorite artist. Bandsintown scans your entire music catalog via Facebook, and Spotify and finds which musicians are on tour. When a band or musician announces a tour, you are notified. When a band or musician is coming to your town, you are notified. This app is a great way to find new musicians and attend concerts by your favorite musicians.
2. Plant Nanny
In a day, so much can happen. Oftentimes, we get caught up in our schedule and we often forget one important thing: hydration. Plant Nanny fixes this problem in the cutest way. You tell the app your weight, your activity level and pick a plant. The app then sends out hourly reminders to drink some water. For the amount of water you drink in real life, your plant is watered that same amount. The app allows creative freedom with the type of plant you water and its name, as well as the ability to adjust the amount of water to different measurements.
3. Uber
The argument for Uber could be made a thousand times over. The ride sharing service exists in basically any area and for a pretty reasonable fee. You’ll never know when you may need a lift from somewhere or to somewhere, and Uber has your back. The app also has the ability to split the fare with whomever you ride with to avoid awkward payment and the company as a whole works to constantly find new ways to innovate and improve their service.
4. Yelp
As someone who goes to college far from home, this app is a lifesaver. Not only does Yelp help me find a branch of my favorite chain restaurant close by, it also provides reviews of local joints I wouldn’t have known much about before. Yelp helps me navigate the restaurants and local businesses with user reviews and directions, making it a perfect travel guide.
5. Venmo
The broke college kid stereotype is alive and well these days, especially when everything seems to cost money and nothing is cheap. Venmo connects your social media to your debit card, and allows for safe transactions from person to person. You can use the app to send your friend a few bucks for a Starbucks pick-me-up, or make sure your check is split equally among each person. This app keeps the monetary exchange digital, and allows an easy transfer of money.
6. Spotify
While any musical streaming service is imperative for a college student, Spotify stands out. The app has countless albums from musicians new and old, as well as specific playlists made by users and Spotify itself. This app also connects with Facebook, and gives users the ability to see what their friends are listening to. The unlimited access to music from any genre and the flexibility to create and share playlists make this app an essential.
7. CNN
It can be difficult to find time to sit down and read a news article or a newspaper even, and that’s where the CNN app comes in. The app sends push notifications to a user’s phone, and these notifications can be tailored by the user. For example, you could select to receive notifications about sports and business, or entertainment. If the notification interests you, it will take you to a full article on the news blurb. This is an easy way to stay informed on current events without taking up a great deal of time from a student’s busy day.
8. Breathing Guide
A college student’s day is usually filled with stress and excitement. It can be difficult to find time to unwind or relax. Breathing Zone allows for a quick guided meditation, set to the user’s preferences. You may set the time the meditation takes, the sounds that go along with it and what you wish to meditate on. The app is easy and helpful and only takes a little time to assist in relaxation.
9. YouTube
Looking for a study break? A video to teach you a complex chemistry equation? YouTube is the one-stop shop for any of your video needs. The app is easy to use and has all the access to comedy videos, silly viral hits, as well as segments from your favorite television show or informative clips to assist in your studying. Youtube’s entire video library on your mobile device can assist you in numerous situations.
10. GroupMe
This app is ideal for a group project or just a group of friends. Groupme allows for the sharing of pictures, videos and information among a large group of people. The app works great for a collaboration of a bunch of people, especially when half the people may have an android phone and half have an iPhone. The app also has tailored notifications so a user can only tune into the group when it involves them if they wish.
