1. Uber (or Lyft)
Chances are that when you go to college, you won't have your car with you. If you do, lucky you! Either way, having Uber or Lyft on your phone will save you more times than you can count. Whether's it's taking you around town to run errands or picking you up and taking you home after a late night out, Uber will probably become one of your most used apps. Personally, I recommend having both Uber and Lyft on your phone because if you decide to go out on a really busy night and there is a premium or additional surge charge on one of the apps, you can check the other and compare prices. Also, the first time you use either app you'll get a free ride so by having both, you'll rack up on free rides and more discounts.
2. Tapingo
It may just have been here on the U of A campus but Tapingo became one of my most used apps last year. If you haven't heard of it, Tapingo is an ordering service app that allows you to order your food from your phone and either have it delivered to you or ready for pickup with just the touch of a screen. This app is really convenient to have, especially when you are studying late at the library and need a snack or a quick fix of caffeine. Tapingo partners with a variety of different companies on and around campus to give you all local options. At UA, it partners with Starbucks, Fuel, the Student Unions, restaurants on University and even Sauce all the way down Campbell. No matter what kind of food you're craving, Tapingo can make it easy to grab a meal in between classes or have it delivered when you're feeling lazy.
3. Venmo
Venmo's probably one of the most convenient apps for when you owe people money and don't have cash on you. As a college student, majority of people pay with their debit/credit cards and its not easy to go to the bank every single time you owe someone money. Instead, Venmo allows you to send your friends money and pay them back for the food that they bought you one day or you could easily pay for a club fee that you forgot about. The app is fast and easy to use and you'll never have to be in debt to your friends again.
4. Arizona App
This app generally contains everything you need to know about the University you attend. The most used part of the app is probably the map of campus. The app allows you to search up the name of the building on campus you are looking for and give you directions on how to get there. You'll no longer have to worry about pulling a freshman move and walking around campus with a map in hand because you'll have one right on your phone, with directions at your fingertips.
5. Bank App
If you use your debit/credit card frequently, it's good to have your bank's app on your phone. You can check your transactions, find ATMs and transfer money easily and without the hassle of having to find and go to the nearest back by your school (which could be miles off campus). The app is easy to use and will help ensure you keep track of the money you spend so you can stop yourself from becoming a broke college student.
6. Pocket Points
This app is free to download and gives you rewards simply for attending your classes. For every minute you are off your phone while on campus, Pocket Points gives you points that can earn you free food, discounts at local restaurants, and additional discounts at your favorite stores. For most classes you need to be off your phone anyways so why not earn discounts while you're learning?
If you haven't already, I seriously recommend that you download these apps onto your phone. They are all convenient for you to use and as a college student at the University of Arizona (or anywhere) you will get your use out of them, I guarantee.
