The smartphone is now entrenched into society as much as cars and television.
With that said, the revolutionary device has integrated many aspects of our daily lives. When it comes to productivity in an academic setting, there are a lot of good options on Apple and Android devices, both for purchase and for free. Here are ten downloads that will enhance any student's productivity.
1. Dropbox
For anyone on the go, students in particular, Dropbox is an ideal tool. Not only does this app give users secure access to files, but it enhances productivity and prevents the need for hard storage to save work. This cloud-based app is a safe and easy way to work from virtually anywhere. It's also available for Android.
2. Kindle
This app is one of the most popular for the iPad and Android for good reason -- it serves both a recreational and academic need simultaneously. Text books, study guides, and novels alike are all an integral part of the Kindle experience. Bored from schoolwork? Use it for some casual reading as well.
3. Blackboard
Simply put, if your classroom uses Blackboard to post course materials, then this app, also available for Android, is a must-have. It's the best free way to mobilize your coursework without the hassle of physically carrying it all. Just access the files as needed from your device.
4. SimpleMind+
Ever had writer's block? Of course you have. With SimpleMind+, it's easy to bridge the gap between ideas and tangible content that you can feel confident turning in. Rather than creating a simple text outline, the app creates a visual representation of thoughts that are easy to dissect and organize on paper. This is an absolute must for visual learners and is available on Apple's iPhone and iPad as well as Android.
5. Pages
Yes, Pages is simple, but it's a tool that is a must for students because it has great cross-functionality and ease of use. It's similar to Microsoft Word, but can read .PDF files as well. This app was made for mobile devices, so it will perform brilliantly on both the iPhone and iPad.
6. gFlash
A tried-and-true method for studying has been and always will be the use of flash cards. Think of gFlash as a modern version of a flash card that gives students more flexibility than their paper counterparts. Android users can rejoice with this one as well. One of the coolest features of the app aside from the ability to customize is to track your improvement on a set of flash cards.
7. Mint
Finances are easy to overlook when wrapped up in college life. However, it's important to remain as fiscally disciplined as you are academically and develop good financial habits early on. Mint.com is not only a great resource for doing so, but the Apple and Android app will allow users to manage everything from the go. This is a must-have for students and professionals alike.
8. Sparknotes
For liberal arts majors, SparkNotes can be a godsend, often times providing the perfect supplement (or cheat sheet) to books assigned for any number of courses. With this official cross-platform app from the company itself, students will get 50 pre-loaded sets of notes as well as access to many more for purchase.
9. Numbers
Numbers from Apple's productivity suite is very similar to Microsoft Excel. The best thing about it is it actually creates Excel files and the always-useful .PDF file, which makes transferring to the desktop simple. With this app, students can create charts and spreadsheets for projects on the go. This app is available for both the iPhone and iPad.
10. myHomework
Success in school depends on a student's ability to stay on top of homework assignments, and the myHomework app is designed to do exactly that. This useful tool integrates with the smartphone's calendar in order to create reminders. It's free for both Apple and Android devices -- the right price for a starving student.
