By Rana Waxman
When finals approach, apps for studying may be the perfect way to avoid burnout. Let’s face it – you spend a lot of time on your phone, tablet, Apple watch, or computer anyway. Why not download study apps that could help you focus, learn, and prepare for test-day stress?
5 Awesome Studying Apps for College Students
As a rule, there are a range of studying apps for college students available on the App Store and Google Play. That means, as a consumer, you get to read reviews and check compatibility with your preferred device and operating system.
We’ve created a short list of the best apps for study – some free, others with a small cost. See which study app fits your style of learning. Then use your screen time to grow your study skills and improve your grades on assignments and exams.
1. Forest
Looking for a study app for finals and that could keep you on task? Forest is one of the best apps for study and it works like a phone game. You could use it at your desk, in the library, or with friends.
The Forest team partners with a real-tree-planting organization, Trees for the Future, to plant real trees on Earth. When users spend virtual coins they earn in Forest on planting real trees, Forest team donates to our partner and creates planting orders. So, using this app is also a way to green up the environment.
How to use? Right before you need to focus on a task, plant a seed in the Forest and set a time frame you wish to focus through. You can even earn rewards once you complete your focus session, which makes the app super addicting. But watch out–if you leave the app before your session is over, your tree will die! Through it, you could therefore learn to be more productive, and track time.
Price: $3.99
Devices: Android, iOS
2. Quizlet
Flashcards are a tried-and-true way to study, memorize, and learn new concepts.
Quizlet is therefore a classic study app as it is the AI version of flashcards. Through this app, you create flashcards or study other users’ cards. You can even play matching games and quiz yourself on personalized tests. The study possibilities are endless as you could explore a range of subject areas.
The app markets itself as ‘taking the guesswork out of your coursework. So, if you have trouble remembering things, this app may work for you. To use it, you sign up and then, log into your account through Facebook or Gmail.
Price: free
3. Be Focused
Be Focused is a focus timer for work and study. You can schedule your study plans on this app to keep on your toes throughout finals week. It allows you to plan break times and durations, set timers, and track productivity.
The study app allows you to get things done by breaking up individual tasks among discrete intervals, separated by short breaks. So, it may be an effective way to retain motivation and focus. Create tasks, configure breaks, and track your progress throughout the day, week, or custom period. Use either your iPhone, iPad, or Mac – your devices always stay in sync.
If you want to buy the app, there is another version – Be Focused Pro. It integrates with Focus Matrix, a companion app that organizes your to-do list into one of four categories: (1) important and urgent, (2) important and not urgent, (3) not important and urgent, and (4) not important and not urgent. These features may come in handy if you have difficulty setting priorities.
Price: free, but the Pro version is $4.99
Devices: iOS
4. Evernote
Have you ever lost an important set of notes the night before an exam? Evernote syncs your notes across all your devices.
The way it works is you scan your notes and upload them all to one spot. You can even attach pictures and take notes through Evernote itself. Evernote also offers to-do lists, reminders, a business card saver, and so much more to keep you organized in your studies. So, bring your notes, tasks, and schedules together and find them all in an easier way. Also, it is free to sign up.
Price: free
5. Swipes
If you already use Evernote, Swipes is fully integrated with it (and Gmail) and gives you the possibility to turn any personal, shared or business note into a task. To do this, you tag an Evernote with Swipes.
You can collect tasks and organize them into three tabs — Schedule, Current, and Done — to maximize productivity and help you ace finals.
Price: free
Devices: Android, iOS
Do Study Apps Work?
An article International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education found a link between study app usage and higher academic grades.
The best apps for study may therefore be a practical way to:
- Improve concentration (especially if you have a short attention span)
- Organize your lecture notes
- Bookmark key ideas
- Research a subject
- Share and store information with peers and study groups
- Make screen time count
- Set priorities
- Manage time
Now that you know all about these most useful study apps for finals and studying apps for college students, go rock those exams!
About the author
Haley is our 2016 Education Matters Scholarship winner. A lover of history, her hobbies include travel and cultural immersion. She also enjoys finance and looks forward to a career in business.