Your first few weeks of school at UF can be overwhelming at times, to say the least. Here are six essential apps that will help you navigate your first semester at the Swamp, and save some time and money along the way.
1. Pocket Points
Pocket Points is an amazing gateway to quick rewards for something as simple as not using your phone during class. While on campus, if you lock your phone after opening Pocket Points, the app accumulates points that can be used to redeem coupons for just about everything. It’s great to use in class, and if you live on campus you can use it while you sleep and rack up tons of points!
2. Gift Certificates & More
This is my absolute favorite app for coupons because they have a coupon for virtually all of the most popular restaurants in Gainesville. Coupons range from $2 to up to $5 off your favorite restaurants — no contingencies!
3. Tap Ride
SNAP, the Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol, is essentially the free Uber for UF taking you anywhere on campus, including Sorority Row, from 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. every night. Tap Ride allows you to request your SNAP ride at your location, and notifies you when it will arrive. Overall it is much more efficient than calling in.
4. Tapingo
Tapingo is the OG food ordering app. The app is available for most on-campus dining options, and can be connected to your Gator One card to use declining balance. Is the line for Croutons at Reitz all the way out to the bookstore? Tapingo it. Sitting alone in Marston and craving Starbucks, but don’t want to leave your stuff unattended for too long? Tapingo it. Around finals, or when you’re running late and need that double shot mocha, it will prove to be a lifesaver.
5. Canvas
The Canvas app serves the same purpose on your phone as it does on your laptop, only it’s more convenient on the go. The first few weeks of college are not easy to navigate when balancing school and social life, so knowing you have the ability to do your Good Life discussion post from Midtown, is an incredible feeling.
6. Gator Safe
After Irma, I would say this is the most essential app on this list. Gator Safe is the in-app safety net that every freshman needs. In case you don’t have UF Alert set to send you text messages, Gator Safe will send the alerts through the app, so that you are always informed. The safety toolbox features an alarm you can activate from your phone for when you may need it, as well as a flashlight and Friend Walk: a system that sends your location to a contact that can watch you walk to your destination, and they can trigger a call to emergency services, need be. The app also includes real-time bus tracking, Gator game day information, campus maps and U Matter We Care hotlines. Whether or not you ever need the services offered by the app, it’s safe to have in case of emergency.
