I am currently in my second year of college and here are a few applications and items that I found essential for college life.

1. Grammarly- www.grammarly.com/Grammarly is an absolute must for papers. When we write we are not always cognizant of our spelling and grammar because we have procrastinated and are rushing. Grammarly will catch nearly every grammar error from passive voice to unnecessary commas that Microsoft will miss. While there is a yearly fee for the premium version, it is worth the money because your papers will sound much more polished and you will avoid the embarrassment of printing your paper and immediately finding a spelling or grammar error.

2. A Document Scanning Application

A document scanning app turns any document into a PDF. Some professors may require you to submit electronic assignments in PDF format, and this app provides a reliable way of converting them. It is especially useful for handwritten documents that your Professor wants to be submitted electronically.

3. A Printer

You might be saying “There’s a printer in the computer lab,” but a printer in your dorm is a better idea. You do not have to pay for printing each time you use it, and you can use it at any time, so if you forgot to print out your paper the night before class, you could do it in the morning.

4. A 5 Pocket File Folder

If you are like me, you do not use binders anymore because they are cumbersome and weigh down your backpack. To remedy the issue of loose papers, I use a five pocket file folder for all my free assignments and completed work. I can use one five pocket file folder for all of my classes, instead of buying five binders or 1 large binder that can barely fit in my bag.

5. Purdue Owl- https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

Purdue Owl is a website that gives tutorials for every style of citation including MLA, APA, and Chicago. You will inevitably write a paper during your college career, and your teacher may prefer a certain style and this website tell you how to cite different kinds of sources in a certain style, which takes the guesswork out of citing your sources.