All college students, including myself, can agree that school contributes to their stress levels; therefore, we are all looking for ways to make our lives a bit easier to manage. These 10 apps will help you out in a plethora of ways; I definitely consider these essentials as a student.
1. Groupme
Groupme is an app designed for group messages. It is essential because it works with all different types of phones, so you can avoid the dreaded Apple versus Android debate with your peers. It’s the perfect solution to staying in touch with those you have classes, projects, or clubs with!
2. Venmo
Venmo is a money exchange app that is linked to your debit card. This app is perfect for when you go out with your friends, and only half of you brought cash for the bill. It’s quick, simple, and make sure your friends never have an excuse to not pay you back. As the world grows more digital and card dependent, this is a great alternative to having cash at all times.
3. Postmates
Consider this: it’s 11 p.m., you have been studying for so long that you forgot to eat dinner, and now the school cafeteria is closed. Postmates is a food delivery service that will deliver straight to your door from basically any restaurant in your city! This will save your life when you’ve been holed up studying and don’t want ramen for the 5th time this week.
4. Dictionary.com App
In college, you have to read and write an insane amount. Having a dictionary and thesaurus at your fingertips will help you better understand texts, as well as help you ace your final paper.
5. Calendar
Most smartphones come with a calendar app automatically, so, please use it! Logging everything into a calendar will help you remember all your deadlines, activities, and classes. You can even set the app to alert you at certain times of upcoming events. It’s easy to become flustered with an insane schedule, but making sure to keep it organized will definitely make life easier.
6. Safetrek
College campuses try their best to promote safety and comfortability for all students. However, it can still be extremely worrisome to have to walk back to your apartment or dorm late at night. Safetrek allows you to immediately notify local authorities if you are in a dangerous situation by using GPS to track your specific location. You press and hold a button down while traveling and release once you reach your destination, inputting a 4-digit code. If you are in a dangerous situation, you can simply release the button, not enter your code, and authorities will be notified.
7. Penny - Track Your Money, Bills, Saving & Spending
Tuition payments, meal plan, personal spending: it can all get very muddled. That’s why you should have the Penny app! It helps you track personal finances, as well as set budgets for your spending habits. You may still be a broke college student, but now you’ll at least know where your money is going.
8. Google Drive
As I said earlier, college has you writing an insane amount of papers. Sometimes computers/laptops glitch and break at the most inconvenient times. Google drive is a great tool to use because you can backup all your papers and pull them up online or on the app, so you’ll never have to worry about losing your final paper an hour before it’s due.
9. Weather App
Like the calendar app, you most likely already have this app on your phone. However, checking the weather is a lifesaver when you have to walk half a mile or more to class, and you don’t know what to wear. Check the temperature and weather conditions so you can be comfortable inside and outside of class.
10. Headspace
Lastly, classes and deadlines can cause immense amounts of stress and fatigue in our lives. Staying organized is important, but taking care of your body and mental health should always come first. The Headspace app allows you to take a few minutes to practice meditation and mindfulness. It’s a great way to end or start your day, or just get a few minutes to breathe when life feels too hectic.
