Getting through college and coming out on the other side with a degree takes dedication and motivation. Sadly though, not everyone naturally has lots of focus, despite how much they try. In those tough moments when you need to stay focused on studying, using productivity apps for students can give you the boost you need, and if you are reading this, then you are probably struggling with something similar.
Having access to the right tools, like apps specifically designed around productivity, can make a huge difference in your success while studying. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the ten best productivity apps that every student should try.
Not every app will work for every person’s individual needs; some are designed more towards students in specific departments of study or simply appeal to different people for different reasons. That’s why it’s important to find an app that works for you and your style of learning.
In this article, I am going to present you with 10 different productivity apps for students, not only that, but I will also explain how they work exactly so you can pick the right ones for you and your academic needs easily.
So, if this is something that interests you then stick around to know more about apps for productivity!
Table of Contents
Why should you use productivity apps?
The answer to this is very simple, your phone usage and how the time you keep your phone away, I am guessing that is not very long, which is exactly why apps can be useful to you as a college student, because almost everyone is glued to their phones!
So, why not take advantage of that??
The long version of this answer though is that using productivity apps can also give students an advantage when it comes to managing their workloads. With the tap of a button, apps can automate mundane tasks, such as creating calendars and reminders and tracking multiple projects at once.
This is especially helpful for students who have tight deadlines or multiple assignments simultaneously. Apps can provide them with quick access to whatever they need without having to juggle multiple resources!
These productivity apps actually not only save time by allowing whoever is using them to quickly transition from one task to the next, but they also create an enjoyable experience due to sleek interphases and appealing design choices. Using productivity apps is an excellent way for students to get organized and stay on top of their tasks!
Now that you know why they are so important and beneficial for you, let’s get into the actual apps that can help you achieve all these benefits shall we?
12 productivity apps useful to college students
Productivity actually goes beyond the end product which is getting the job done in a student life, because if you are not focused or organized, you are likely to get overwhelmed very easily and fall behind on what you have to do.
This is why I gathered different productivity for all of you college students who want to get a hold on their college deadlines and tasks!
Productivity apps to help you focus
Forest
This app is available for all devices so whether you have an IOS or an Android, you can benefit from it. Most of the apps mentioned below will be, if there is an exception I will be sure to disclose it!
Aside from this, Forest is a really fun and cool app that helps you stay focused on your studies. If you are wondering how it works then we have the answer.
Forest basically does exactly as the name suggests, this means that it starts by planting a virtual tree every time you decide to focus and not pick up your phone or use it until the timer runs out.
If you are tempted to pick up your phone, then the tree ends up dying! So, it is actually one of the most effective ways to keep yourself away from distractions while studying!
Forest is a great app that has taken a creative approach to help college students focus more as they get their tasks done, instead of the traditional approaches that overwhelms students even more!
Tide
Although this app is more catered to wards wellness it can still be a really good asset to add to your studying routine if you want to polish your studying skills a little bit more!
Tide has a beautiful layout that helps take your stress away in addition to its personalized Pomodoro-focus sessions. This gets set up with a variety of relaxing sounds inspired by a natural environment!
Once the sessions start you cannot leave it, otherwise you “fail”. This pushes you to keep going and only pick up your phone after you are done studying!
With this app for students you are to be sure that your to-do lists will not take as much time anymore!
Motion
This one is specifically for your laptop!
Motion is an amazing productivity app for students that enables you to keep track of all the tasks any student needs to do. It helps you break down your projects into smaller, manageable tasks and set reminders for deadlines.
You can use the Focus Timer— which functions like a Pomodoro timer—for short bursts of focus or Meditation mode to relax and be productive at the same time!
The cloud-based app also allows multiple users on the same account, so it’s perfect for anyone collaborating on a project together, which is one of the key features of this application. With Motion, even students with busy schedules will find it easy stay organized and get stuff done with task lists!
The best part about this app is its integration with your Google Drive, which means that you can easily access your files without using anything else. This ensures that you don’t lose your focus here and there! All of your Google Docs are simply a click away!
As I like to say, keep your friends close, and your Google Docs closer!
Cold Turkey
The name of this app might sound a little weird to you, but when you get to know how effective it is, you won’t mind the name so much!
Cold Turkey is one of the best productivity apps out there and should be one of the first on any student’s list! It’s an amazing website blocker that helps you focus by temporarily blocking distractions such as social media and streaming sites.
It’s free to download and easy to set up. Plus, it can help you block your phone as well, so that you won’t be tempted to keep checking notifications throughout the day.
Want to take control of your procrastination? With Cold Turkey, you can set goals for yourself and pre-schedule blocks for certain times of the day or week. Basically, this app holds you accountable!
Cold Turkey also allows you to view a summary of your work sessions and track them on a daily basis. This way, you know exactly how much Productive Time (PT) vs Unproductive Time (UPT) you’ve had in each session – making it easier than ever to reach those goals.
Also Read; How To Succeed In The Classroom
Productivity apps to help you with time management
When it comes to managing your time as a student, there are a few apps that can really make a difference. First and foremost, there’s Google Calendar.
This app is perfect for keeping track of your classes, study sessions, and other important events. Next up, we have Microsoft To Do, which is a great tool for organizing your tasks and setting reminders to help you stay on top of your workload.
And last but not least, we have Todoist. With its easy-to-use interface and prioritization features, Todoist is a fantastic app for keeping your to-do list organized and ensuring that you meet all your deadlines.
Google Calendar
Google Calendar for students should be present within the tools they use to plan their schedule and studying sessions!
It comes with lots of options so you can customize the calendar app to your needs. You can color code tasks and events with labels, view them in day, week or month layouts, share calendars with classmates or teams for easier collaboration on projects!
Google Calendar is a convenient and powerful planning tool for students. It allows you to quickly set up one-time or recurring events and tasks with reminders, tags, notes, and goals.
The best part about Google Calendar is that it’s free! So instead of using loads of sticky notes to plan out your days ahead of time, grab a copy of this app and get ready for max productivity!
Microsoft To Do
This awesome app is another one of your must haves as a busy college student who recognizes that being organized is the first step to success!
Microsoft To Do allows you to easily create and manage checklists with tasks broken into categories. Any task, no matter how big or small, can be tracked and prioritized so that you stay focused on what’s most important.
One hard task at a time!
Another great feature about this one is that it can sync across your devices, so your phone, tablet, laptop or desktop can all be connected and you can access your to dos from any device you are using!
Todoist
Todoist is a great tool for students looking to increase their productivity. It’s a simple and easy-to-use app that lets you create tasks, projects and set due dates.
It also helps you break big tasks into more manageable pieces. Todoist integrates with lots of other apps like Google Calendar so that you can easily manage your schedule.
In addition to managing tasks, it provides reminders so that you never forget about deadlines or meetings. It even encourages self-reflection by letting you track your daily task completion rate!
The applications mentioned in this section can be great tools beyond just your academic tasks because they can be used as project management tools as well!
Now, that’s power!
Productivity apps – Note taking apps for college students
Microsoft OneNote
The great thing about OneNote is that its capabilities extend beyond just taking notes. You can also draw diagrams, scan paper documents, add audio clips, videos and more—all in one place!
Talk about powerful features!
This makes it an incredibly helpful tool for organizing your notes and staying productive in class. Plus, its cloud-based technology allows you to access your notes on any device.
But not only that, OneNote has collaboration features so you can work together with classmates or teachers on projects. With it at your side, nothing will ever stand between you and academic success!
Evernote
For any students who juggles projects between different computers or need an easy way access their class materials while on the go, Evernote is an indispensable tool. Not only can it take quick notes, but also store photos, documents, audio clips and a lot more!
The app’s integration with Google Calendar ensures that you never miss a deadline or event. You can also use the powerful search capabilities to quickly retrieve any information stored in your account.
Evernote is one of the essential Productivity apps every student needs to help them stay organized and productive. With Evernote, you can jot down notes, keep track of tasks, and sync with all your other devices.
To put it very simply for you, Evernote is one of the most comprehensive productivity tools out there for students and anyone else looking to be more efficient and organized.
Other Apps to boost your productivity
Quizlet
Quizlet is an educational app that’s well-known among students everywhere. It’s an amazing yet simple tool for studying and testing your knowledge, with features like flashcards, practice quizzes, and study games.
If you haven’t tried Quizlet yet, it’s definitely time to catch up! With Quizlet, you can make learning fun and effective, and improve your grades in no time.
This app has an outstanding intuitive design, you’re only one click away from creating engaging flashcards for any subject or topic. You can easily find existing flashcards created by other users and add them to your account.
You’ll never forget any study material with this powerful educational app because it offers a variety of different tactics to help you master all your topics. From studying flashcards, exploring the larger material covered in each set, taking a practice test, playing game modes such as match, spelling bee and gravity – Quizlet has something fun for everyone who wants to learn more effectively.
Plus all these features are free of charge! If you want to upgrade to premium features such as dark mode and on-the-go options, there’s a small fee per month but nothing that could break the bank.
Also Read; The Roadmap To Success: A Student’s Guide
Pomodone
Pomodone is one of the best productivity-boosting apps for students, designed to help you manage your time better by using the Pomodoro Technique.
This technique involves breaking your work into short, focused intervals (usually 25 minutes) called “pomodoros,” followed by a short break. After completing a few pomodoros, you take a longer break.
Pomodone integrates with other task management apps like Todoist, Trello, and more, so you can easily turn your tasks into pomodoros.
This method helps you stay focused and avoid burnout by giving you regular breaks. It’s perfect for students who need to balance study time with relaxation.
The app also tracks your progress, so you can see how much work you’ve done and adjust your schedule if needed.
Habitica
Habitica turns your tasks and habits into a fun game.
Imagine a role-playing game where you level up and earn rewards, but instead of fighting monsters, you complete your daily tasks and build good habits.
You create a character and set up tasks, which are divided into habits, dailies, and to-dos.
Completing these tasks earns you points, which you can use to level up your character and buy in-game rewards.
If you don’t complete your tasks, your character loses health. This gamified approach makes productivity more engaging and motivates you to stay on top of your responsibilities.
You can also join parties and complete quests with friends, adding a social element with this productivity app for students in 2024.
Final Words
Alright, when it comes to productivity apps for college students, there’s no shortage of options out there. And let’s be real, we all need a little help staying on top of our daily routines sometimes.
That’s where these cool apps come in – whether you’re looking for premium versions with additional features or just some good old-fashioned time management apps, there’s an app for that!
From Tide to Google Calendar, Microsoft To Do, and even Quizlet, these apps are here to help you take on the world of academia like a boss. And don’t forget about note-taking apps like Evernote, because let’s face it, your handwriting is probably illegible anyway.
So if you’re ready to boost your productivity and unleash your inner genius, give these apps a shot and see how they can revolutionize your college experience!
So, productivity apps can be a great asset for your study time, helping them stay organized and focused on their studies, and that is no secret!
With so many options available at your fingertips, it’s important to make sure that you find the right app(s) for your needs and your specific academic goals!
By investing in one or two of these top 10 productivity applications, you can increase your productivity and make the most of your time in college.
Ok, that’s it for today!
As you know at Tips for Students we always share valuable content for students and I hope this article helped and good luck from me to you!
