Is it August already? Here are 25 apps, in no particular order, to ease your return to school and make this upcoming semester a successful one. Disclaimer: I made this list based off of applications available for iPhones. However, many of the applications are also available in the Google Play Store.

25. Dropbox

Dropbox is a productivity app that provides great file storage. Files saved in the app are accessible from any device as well as easily shareable (including to those without Dropbox accounts). The app supports videos, photos, documents, etc. and is able to scan writing, adapting it into a PDF. Initially the app is free, but there are in-app purchases.

24. Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Obviously, this is one of the many dictionary apps out there. I personally prefer this one due not only to its popularity, but because it includes audio pronunciations and a thesaurus feature. It also has educational word games focused on vocabulary expansion. I admit the amount of ads on each page is rather frustrating, but considering the app is free, I think it balances out.

23. Free Graphing Calculator

Again, the name gives it away. Regardless, this is by far the best free calculator app I have come across. It contains SO many features. Of course I'm by no means a mathematics person, and while I haven't used many of the features, they include scientific calculations, graphing abilities, unit conversions, and statistics options among many others. However, my favorite aspect is its formula database and reference guide. This app saved my statistics grade last Maymester.

22. Scribd

Scribd is a reading app, offering books, audiobooks, sheet music, comic books, and many other random PDF files. Scribd is a free app but best used with an existing Scribd membership. It is rather difficult to find sufficient reading material without being a member. Personally I don't have a membership, but often use the app to find monologues from fragmented theatrical librettos and 16-32 bar audition songs from fragmented musical scores. Despite being unable to read most of the content, I still find the application extremely helpful.

21. Elevate

Elevate is a rather fun "brain training" application focusing on improving multiple cognitive skills. To fully enjoy the application you should really purchase the pro version which costs 12 dollars a month. Personally, I only have the free version and still find it satisfying. The app works by initially asking you to create an account and pick what cognitive functions you'd like to improve. Then it gives you a preliminary test to gauge where you already stand in those areas. From there you simply play 3 simple tests daily. I've only just begun and can't say if I've noticed any progress in my own functioning yet, but it's fun regardless.

20. StudyBlue

StudyBlue is a flashcard-filled study aid. In the app you can browse existing flashcards or build your own. There is a wide array of class subjects ranging from high school to college-level sets. StudyBlue also includes a neat feature which allows you to add pictures and audio to your cards. The app itself is free, but a free StudyBlue membership is necessary and a StudyBlue Pro membership is needed for advanced features.

19. Chegg

Chegg is a college textbook app which allows its users to rent their textbooks/ebooks at discounted prices. A couple of really cool elements that put this app above the rest of its kind are its ability to scan bar codes to search books, and grant seven-day free access to an ebook version while the ordered textbook is shipping. All of this is free, but Chegg also offers a 15 dollar monthly subscription account called Chegg Study. I don't have an account but according to their description, it offers access to several homework solution documents, online tutors, and a message board where you can post a picture of a tough problem and one of the Chegg team members will explain it.

18. BenchPrep

BenchPrep is a free app but only available to existing BenchPrep users. Its purpose is to help graduate and potential graduate students succeed on their GRE, GMAT, and LSATs. Again, I don't have a BenchPrep account, but this past version of the app received 5-star reviews.

17. Mint

Mint is a free money management app helping you track your bills, credit cards, and investments while receiving tips on how to reduce spending. With payment alerts, and financial goal features, the app is great for managing a small budget *cough cough college life.*

16. Trello

Trello is a free productivity app focusing on project management. I find it very useful to keep track of multiple school projects all in one place. In the app you create a board for each project and then add cards into each board. On these cards you can add a description, attachment, label, checklist, share it with additional members and even set an alarmed due date.

15. Google Apps. Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Sheets, Gmail, Google Calendar, etc.

Everyone knows Google and I imagine almost everyone knows how to use its applications. But what can I say? These apps are extremely helpful, especially if your high school or college email account is through the gmail provider. There are way too many Google apps to put here, but the ones listed above are those that I have found most useful thus far in my college experience.

14. EasyBib

Most people know the site EasyBib, but apparently there's an app! The app works pretty similar to the website, quickly providing citations for bibliographies. A helpful bonus unique to the app, is the ability to scan the book's bar code with your phone camera rather than enter the book's information. Like the site, the app creates citations for all sorts of sources (newspapers, websites, etc.) in all sorts of citation styles (AP, MLA, etc.).

13. SparkPeople

SparkPeople is a free lifestyle application focusing on diet and exercise. Its primarily for weight loss, but it works fine when I use it for monitoring healthy choices and maintaining my current weight. The app offers so many helpful options I could go on about it for days. In the food section you can track exactly what you've eaten by meal while the app calculates the total amount of calories, carbs, fats, and proteins you eaten with a suggested remaining goal for the day. The fitness section is similar, providing you with the amount of calories burned for the amount of exercise you've done as well as your weekly and daily fitness goals. Some additional features allow you to track water intake, get suggested meal plans, and access exercise tutorials.

12. StyleIt

StyleIt is a fashion app with its signature feature being the ability to take a photo of a piece from your wardrobe and offer outfits based off of it. Considering the limited amount of college dorm space, StyleIt can really help you figure out what is worth packing for the semester. I just recently found this app, but I definitely plan on using it when I pack to go back this week.

11. Quizlet or Cram

Quizlet and Cram are both sensational flashcard studying applications. Quizlet is free with in-app purchases whereas the Cram app is an extension of its website requiring an existing membership for usage. As with other apps of this nature, Quizlet and Cram both allow access to already made card sets and the option to build your own. In my opinion the best part of both apps are their study games.

10. Evernote

Evernote is (in my opinion) the best free note-taking app. The app lets its users take notes using text, video, photos, sketching and much more. It also stores information in different file formats including notebooks, to-do lists, and fragmented notes. I would highly recommend this app for any messy note takers who, like myself, tend to accidentally misplace their study material the week of the exam.

9. MyHomework

MyHomework is a free app designed to help students keep afloat in their class loads. The app helps you track class schedules, assignment due dates, exams, and homework with reminders. Its a great electronic substitute for a traditional school planner.

8. TeamSnap

TeamSnap is a sports management type app allowing you to keep track of your athletic calendar. The app offers the ability to track schedules, allow for team messaging, document assignments, map directions to games, follow scores, and upload photos. It's a rather helpful tool for club sports, coaches, and team captains.

7. Khan Academy

Khan Academy is an educational app providing informational videos and text documents on a wide array of subject matter and skill level. It is completely free and even works offline. Not only can users explore random learning areas setup in a chronically course structure, but they can also use the app for test prep ranging from the SAT to the GMAT. The app is useful for a wide variety of people including college students, high school students (with a college admissions section), and even teachers (with a section built specifically for educators). My favorite thing about this app is the ability to track your progress. Even if you are learning just for fun, you earn badges the more you research.

6. PrinterPro

PrinterPro is a six-dollar app that allows you to print documents from your phone. Although it costs a few bucks, there have been many times at college when I wished I could print an assignment from my phone to save time in the mad dash to my next class.

5. DuoLingo

DuoLingo is a foreign language application aiding you in learning modern foreign languages. I find the app rather fun to use and would definitely recommend it to any beginners interested in learning/practicing a second language. It is very easy to use and very educational placing audio, visual, and text teaching methods into fun games. Additionally it is great for all ages.

4. Grammar Guide

Grammar Guide is a one-dollar app that is exactly what it sounds like it would be. It contains grammatical reference guides, a term glossary, and capitalization/punctuation guides. Additionally it contains groups of items such as commonly misspelled or misused words along with proofreading suggestions. Personally I think it is helpful for anyone doing a lot of writing (hint: college students) to have a grammatical guide at their fingertips. This app is pretty good for that.

3. AP Mobile

AP Mobile is a free journalism app bringing you the latest news stories. I love how it is set up based on story genres, and it is very easy to find interesting,unique and reliable stories. It's definitely an app I would recommend to any students even slightly interested in pursuing journalism. There's a cool feature to the application which encourages readers to "report news" to the AP staff. All in all, I'd say that it's probably the best news app for international/national news that I've encountered.

2. CamScanner

CamScanner is a free app designed to scan documents/book pages and turn them into PDF files for future reference. This is an extremely helpful app when trying to write essays focusing on individual articles inside a large collection encyclopedias and reference books. It uses your phone's camera to capture the page and then allows you to edit the shot and save it. Additional tools include annotations, highlighting, and further note-taking on the document.

1. Speaky

Speaky is a five-dollar app that will read articles aloud like an audiobook. It really helps with time management and multi-tasking. Especially when dealing with a large college course load. I haven't got to try it just yet, but it has great reviews and looks amazing.

Honorable Mentions:

Drunk Mode

I haven't used it yet because I don't turn 21 for another couple of months, but it looks like a hoot and a holler. It's listed features include "Stop Drunk Dialing," "Find My Drunk" (which tracks your friends via GPS while you're out), "Breadcrumbs" (which retraces your steps from the previous night), "Find a Safe Ride Home," and "Hotspots" (to locate parties near you). Drunk Mode helps you drink more responsibly.

Circle of 6

Circle of 6 is a WONDERFUL and completely free emergency app. It is very useful in scary situations or as a beacon of help when you're in need. Luckily I haven't encountered a situation where I've had to put it to good use, but here's how it works. You choose six contacts to put into your circle and when you find yourself in a bad situation, you can quickly send your circle of 6 an automated message with your GPS location. The app can also connect you to 24-hour hotlines and safety information.

OrgSync

If your college uses the OrgSync website, then the app is a must. It essentially does everything the website does with easier mobile access. As president of a campus club, it really makes life a whole lot easier when I can access and manage our club's account without having to use my laptop.

So there you go. 25 (plus a few) apps to improve your fall semester. Know of any that I missed? Be sure to comment and share what you know!