Resources

Apps for University

Education and technology have always gone hand in hand, so if you're a student in 2018 not utilising your app game, you are missing a trick. Since their inception with the early smart phones apps have become a staple of everyday life, making managing tasks, learning, planning and communicating more efficient than ever before. If there is a task or a problem to be solved guarantee there will be an app for it. 

Apple in particular have always supported education and gearing their products towards inspiring and encouraging learning. So it's no surprise their successful "App Store" has many great apps to support and inspire the demanding lifestyle of today's students. Obviously many Andriod operatoring systems have followed his trend and what can be found on the Apple App Store can most likely be found in the  Andriod world. So no matter what your platform there will be suitable apps you can access. So to get you thinking about using your phone apps for more educational purposes here's a little flavour of our favourite apps for university life:

Studying - Procrastination is a probably a students' biggest issue when trying to write an essay or revise for an exam.

Focus Keeper Work and Study Timer by Limresso is a superb app that makes you work with time, not against it, in an attempt to prevent burning out or drifting off.  The focus is on setting small timed tasks followed by small breaks, with a larger set break once the smaller tasks have been completed.  
The app has been well received by students and is rated five stars for the free version, making this a contender for your device.  

If you were a good student, sitting in Lecturers used to be about scribbling notes and writing up at a later date for revision, or if you were super organised you had a dictaphone. Now there is an app for that and our favourite is Supernote Recorder by FITNESS22 Ltd.

This app allows you to record Lectures, colour coding sessions in addition to adding in your own voice notes and photos. Users report ease of use and great features, allowing for an easy way to record those important sessions.

Revision - Our final study app focuses on the business end of university, revision! There are lots of ways to revise but flash cards are a proven and effective method.

Studyblue a flash card app by America based Studyblue, Inc. The app will allow you to create a selection of cards based on your course information including quizzes and task reminders. The only downside to the app is it's aligned to US colleges only, so course matching may prove problematic. However you can still set up customised flash cards for revision on the go. 

Organisation - Organisation is key to being a successful student and with this host of apps, there really is no excuse.

The first recommendation is quite simple, download your university's official app. Yes they all have one now. These apps will keep you on point with everything from contacts and information to social media feeds and emergency university alerts.

The NUS app, Nus Extra is also very handy for saving money, finding money saving opportunities on the go giving you access to over 170 exclusive discount offers.  

Jottit will allow you to create an effect planner to prioritise and organise work, study and play. Like Apple notes, this app allows the creation of notebooks, lists and checklists meaning organisation has never been easier. 

Health & wellbeing  - "Studycise" the mind and exercise the body! Make your fitness/sports schedule count and maximise your results. You won't feel so bad about the constant partying then!

Our favourite health and wellbeing apps start with a good nights sleep! Essential for a full and productive day at University. Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock by Northcube AB.

This app works for you monitoring your sleep patterns and wakes you in a more effective way than your standard alarm by offering a 30 minute window to gradually wake you up in the lightest sleep phase. Well received and reviewed, use this app to make sure you are maximising those all important zzzz. Nutrition and diet is the second important area of consideration.

With a shift in attitudes towards health and fitness, students are now more active and healthier than ever.

Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker by MyFitnessPal allows you to track your diet habits with access to a massive 5 million food database including UK barcodes. Whether your goal is transformation or general fitness, this app will keep you on track.

Finally Sworkit by Nexersice will allow you to create customised fitness plans. Easy to use, this app will allow you to stay in shape whether you're a gym member or not.

So there you are, a little flavour of how effective apps can be a benefit to your lifestyle- outside of social media! The best thing is all those apps are free to use. Get searching on the app stores and you'll be surprised what useful and effective tools you can find. 

A Bit About Our Contributor:

Robert James Woodhead - Lecturer of Essential & Core Skills at Edinburgh College

A passionate educator within the FE sector. Student focused and driven by innovation, quality and challenge. Sports background with an ability to adapt, develop and deliver courses across a range of subject areas.