Focusing Apps For Mac College Student
College isn't all fun and games (unless you want it to be.) Don't sweat it, though. Take a look at these 25 apps — they'll give you a smoother college experience by helping you study smarter, connect with new people and wake up in time for your early lectures.
But Apple’s Mac line is sufficiently broad that it might be hard to decide which machine is most appropriate for a college-bound student. Here’s our advice. First, don’t buy anything without first checking with the college. Many college departments have specific requirements based on the software that students have to use in their classes.
Your university probably has its own app, too — download it. It will provide you with a more tailored breakdown than a national application.
See also: 12 Things Students Should Never Do on Social Media
Any helpful ones we missed? Let us know in the comments!
1. BenchPrep
Image: BenchPrep
BenchPrep is an interactive course library with all the graduate and professional exam study material you can handle. It includes hundreds of practice questions, flashcards, in-app purchases and almost 600 study lessons. Go ahead and pick your poison: LSAT, MCAT, GMAT.
Available for free on iOS and Android devices.
2. iStudiez Pro
Image: iStudentPro
iStudiezPro keeps track of your deadlines, grades and more across all Mac devices — all you need to do is plug your class schedule into the app. It comes with both Cloud syncing and iCal integration.
Available for $2.99 for iOS. The free iStudiez Lite version limits the number of classes you manage, but it's useful nonetheless.
3. Evernote
You've probably heard a lot about Evernote, and yes, you should try it. What have you got to lose .. your homework? The app syncs all your stuff — text, audio, photo, video — to an online account, so you're always connected with resources to study.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by Evernote's many features, check out this comprehensive beginner's guide.
Available for broke college students (read: free) for iOS and Android devices. The premium version is even more useful, at $5 a month or $45 a year.
4. StudyBlue Flashcards
Flashcards are an effective way to memorize information, but making them is a headache. With StudyBlue, use text, pictures and audio to create the perfect stack of (digital) flashcards; or, search the massive database to borrow someone else's.
Available for iOS and Android devices.
5. RealCalc Scientific Calculator
Did your little brother steal your calculator once you finished AP physics? Use RealCalc for serious computing — it's a perfect alternative for the calculator-less.
Available for free for Android. If you need a heavy-duty upgrade, try RealCalc Plus for $3.49.
6. Engineering Professional
More than 650 chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, hydrology and mechanical formulas are updated in Engineering Pro — so don't worry about buying multiple formula apps. Save or Favorite the formulas you need most often.
Available for $11.99 for iOS.
7. EasyBib
Image: EasyBib
EasyBib generates citations in MLA, APA and Chicago style wherever you are — just scan the book's bar code or enter the title. The app also lets you easily email and export the bibliographies to yourself. Using this, you have no excuses for putting off that term paper.
Available for free for iOS and Android devices.
8. Notella
Image: Notella
Some professors drop the most important bombs when you least expect it ('Have a good spring break, everyone. Oh! One more thing: We're having an exam worth 60% of your final grade the day you get back. See ya!').
Don't miss a thing with Notesdeck. This super-fast note-taking app opens to a new note by default, lets you create custom hotkeys and syncs notes from other apps — iCloud, Evernote, Simplenote and Dropbox. You can even search within those other apps from one search bar.
Available for $2.99 for iOS.
9. Wolfram Alpha
From thermodynamics to baseball, the Wolfram Alpha reference app uses its supercomputing Cloud to quickly generate answers — across thousands of domains — to all your research questions.
Available for $2.99 for iOS and Android devices.
10. Dictionary.com Mobile
With more than two million definitions, synonyms and antonyms, Dictionary.com's fast and user-friendly mobile app will decode that confusing media law textbook in no time.
Available for free for iOS and Android devices.
11. Babylon
Whether you're a Spanish lit major or just looking to finish your general education requirements, Babylon provides comprehensive dictionary results and translations for dozens of languages. With pasteboard integration and access to more than 1,500 glossaries in 75 languages, you'll never struggle to find an accurate definition for your foreign language presentation again.
iBabylon is available for free for iOS; Babylon Translator is available for free for Android.
12. Jumpcut
You have better things to do than copy and paste all day. Make light work of data entry assignments with Jumpcut: copy as much text as you want, one after another, and paste using simple keystrokes.
Available for Macs only.
13. Dragon Dictation
Ever wish you could type faster? Dragon Dictation uses accurate voice recognition software to let you speak and instantly see your words in text. Dictate statuses to your social networks or pretend you're talking to someone if you're trying to write a speech — even send statuses straight to your social networks. Try this if you're in a time crunch and really need to churn out an essay; or, if you're just someone who prefers speaking over writing.
Available for free for iOS.
14. SelfControl
Image: Flickr, jonas maaloe
It's finals week. You have a huge essay to finish .. but then there's Reddit, emitting its bewitching siren call. Every. Damn. Time.
SelfControl lets you set a period of time to block certain websites or mail servers by adding them to a 'blacklist.' It's too bad if you finish your work early — restarting your computer or deleting the application won't negate the timer.
Available for free for Mac OS X.
15. Studious
Avoid interrupting class and getting on your professor's bad side with Studious. Once you input your class schedule, Studious will silence your phone during those hours.
Available for free for Android. Upgrade to Studious+ for $1.99 to bypass the ads.
Mac For College Student
16. Circle of 6
Ever feel uncomfortable when it's dark and you're in a new part of a city — or even campus? Circle of 6 won the White House's Apps Against Abuse challenge. It helps you stay safe by connecting you to six trusted contacts, whenever and wherever. Use the pre-programmed 'come and get me' message with your GPS location, or easily call national and local emergency hotlines in critical situations. It's a fast and discreet way to put your safety first.
Available for free for iOS and Android devices.
Addendum: You don't actually need six people if you want to double up on contacts.
17. Skype
Image: Skype
Video interviews are not going away any time soon — so you might as well get a heads up now. Microsoft's Skype is a reliable way to connect with faraway family and friends via text, voice and — of course — video.
Available for free for iOS and Android devices.
18. LinkedIn
Game Applications For Mac
LinkedIn and all its nifty mobile features makes connections a breeze — for better or worse, college is a time of both personal and professional connections.
Available on the web, of course, but also for free for iOS and Android devices.
19. Twitter
Don't be the only person in class who isn't up-to-date with world events. Use Twitter to keep yourself in the loop in both the academic and social aspects of your life. In today's contemporary classrooms, you may even be asked to participate in class discussions via Twitter.
Available for free for iOS and Android devices.
20. Sworkit
There are a lot of things to do in college. Exercising isn't always one of them; especially when there's socializing and studying to be had. Sworkit's greatest asset is its ability to let you choose your exercise time allotment in five-minute increments — starting at, yes, the very low threshold of five minutes. Doable, right?
It also boasts an extensive list of work out routines.
Available for free for iOS and Android devices. Sworkit Pro comes with advanced features and costs $0.99 for iOS and Android.
See also: 10 YouTube Channels That Will Make You Smarter
21. Mint
Club fees. Books. Tuition. Food. College adds up — quickly. Mint is a web and mobile app that helps you keep track of your spending. Plus, it's never too early to start cultivating good credit.
Available for free for iOS and Android devices.
22. Sleep If U Can Alarm
Come on, you lazy bum — you're paying for these early classes, remember? Nicknamed the 'world's most annoying alarm,' Sleep If U Can gives you two options to silent the alarm: 1) Shake your phone; or 2) Physically go the place shown on your screen (see: the bathroom sink in the video) and take a picture.
Available for $1.99 for iOS and free for Android.
23. Pocket First Aid & CPR
Mashable composite, images: Pocket First Aid & CPR
While it's not the sexiest app to have at your disposable, you never know when it might come in handy. Along with clear and concise CPR instructions, Pocket First Aid and CPR contains 34 videos and 46 high-resolution illustrations.
Available for $1.99 for iOS and Android devices.
24. Between
Attempting the long-distance relationship course? Kudos — that's no small task. Relationship app Between can help ease the separation anxiety by letting you send messages, voicemails, memos and photos. A private timeline makes it easy to reminisce about the good old days with your significant other(s).
Available for free for iOS and Android devices.
25. TED
Image: TED
In an environment often congested with bad influences, a heavy dose of genius goes a long way. TED Talks give you instant access to the biggest thought leaders of our time.
Available for free for iOS and Android devices.
Mac OS X: Let’s face it, there aren’t a lot of options when it comes to operating systems for computers, particularly if you want to run Mac applications. App killer mac. But Mac OS X is as good as it gets. Sure, there are things to be said for Windows and Linux. But in terms of malware risk, ease of use, and elegance, Mac OS X is largely what makes Mac applications worth using.MacDailyNews Take: Mac OS X also saved the company.
Image: Mashable, Meghan Uno
As a college student, keeping your life organized, productive, and even sane can be difficult from time to time. Luckily, with the constant presence of smartphones in our lives, there is an ever-expanding library of apps to help us keep up with our lives in many ways. Here is a list of some of my favorites that have helped me keep track of my hectic schedule as a college student.
Blackboard: iPhone and Android, free to download, $1.99 for full access
This app is a must if your school uses Blackboard for grades and assignments. The initial download is free, and full access is $1.99. You can’t take things like quizzes and tests from the app, but if you often find yourself checking your grades and other assignments on the go, and wishing you didn’t have to pull out your computer to do it, this app is worth the investment.
Duolingo: iPhone and Android, free
Whether you are taking a foreign language class or not, Duolingo is a fun way to brush up on the language skills you learned in high school or get a jump start on a new language for class in college. No more boring vocabulary words! Duolingo combines the fun and competition of an iPhone or Android game with language skills you can use in class and beyond.
Google Drive: iPhone and Android, free
I can’t count the number of times I’ve mentioned using Google Drive to other students and friends and been greeted with, “What are you talking about?” I have sworn by Google Drive for years, and I use it more than I do the standard Microsoft Word. Drive is a free (at least the first 15 gigabytes of storage are) service from Google that allows users to create Microsoft Word–like documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. You can also save them all online and access them anywhere. The mobile app has a clean, easy user interface. Editing documents may be a little more difficult on the app because of the small screen size, but it is quick and simple to access existing documents and presentations without the hassle of a laptop or desktop computer.
Grades 3: iPhone, free
If your high school used a program online where you and your parents could check your grades, then you probably got used to quickly and easily being able to check your GPA. Unfortunately, in college, you don’t have that quick and easy access until grades come out at the end of the semester. That’s where Grades 3 comes in! When you get all your syllabi at the beginning of the semester, you can simply add in all the grades you will have for your classes with their weights, enter your goal grade for each class, updating as you get assignments back throughout the semester, and Grades 3 will automatically calculate your GPA. (free, iphone)
myHomework: iPhone and Android, free
I have sworn by this app since high school! For those who don’t want to carry around a planner to keep track of assignments and other course work, myHomework is an easy solution for keeping up with everything academic from your phone, tablet, or computer. When you create an account, you can sync your assignments across all your compatible devices and add all your classes to the app. myHomework allows you to add class times, different categories for your assignments (i.e., test, project, essay, workbook, etc.) and view your assignments in either a list or a calendar view.
Notability: iPhone, $5.99
If you really hate writing out your notes on paper and would prefer to use your phone or tablet, Notability is a lifesaver. Notability allows you to enter text, insert pictures, and even write with your finger or a stylus, so you’re not limited to taking notes via a keyboard. And though the price tag may be a little scary, you aren’t just limited to note taking; I’ve used Notability for everything from to-do lists to school notes to some very complex vacation planning.
Wunderlist: iPhone and Android, free
Whether it’s all the things you need to get done this week or everything you need to pack when you move next semester, Wunderlist is a great way to keep track of any type of list. With a simple interface that allows you to create multiple lists and also combine several in one folder, this app can help you sort your hectic college schedule.
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