Right now, in your pocket, is the best time management tool ever made, and you’re probably only using it to scroll social media. You paid for that phone. Let’s put it to work.
August means back to school. Whether you’re already on campus or your move-in day is coming up fast, now’s the time to set up your phone before the semester starts, not after you’ve fallen behind. Here are 12 time management apps every college student needs, and why.
1. Google Calendar
Start simple. Nothing beats Google Calendar. Add your classes as repeating events. Add exam week. Add due dates for big papers. Are you in marching band, a sorority, or a fraternity? Add those events too.
Does your roommate’s schedule affect yours? Share calendars with each other. You can toggle between just your events or both calendars overlaid.
Try an “FYI calendar” too. This holds events you want to know about, even if you’re not sure you’ll go, like a home football game. If you decide to go, move it to your main calendar. If you don’t, you’ll still want to know, since it changes traffic patterns on campus.
Continue here for 10 Tips & Tricks for More Productive Days
2. A Digital Task Manager
Writing down a task is the most basic time management habit there is. Once you write it down, you earn the right to forget it. Your system remembers for you.
I use Remember the Milk. I tap my home screen widget and dictate a task with my voice. By the end of the day, every new task sits in my inbox, ready to do or schedule. Nothing falls through the cracks.
Here is an entire YouTube playlist of Remember The Milk videos
3. A Note-Taking App
You take notes in class. You take notes for clubs and activities. You jot down future plans. Where does it all live? One place, or scattered everywhere?
You’ve got options. Evernote, Notion, and Joplin all work well. If your school runs on Microsoft, OneNote makes sense. If you’re in the Google world, pair Google Docs for class notes with Google Keep for quick notes.
Here is an entire YouTube playlist of Evernote videos.
4. Google Drive or Microsoft 365
Pick whichever suite your university uses and download the app. Matching your professors and classmates means easier teamwork and no formatting headaches.
5. Venmo
Splitting a bill? Paying someone back? Getting quick cash from your parents? Venmo handles it. Every transaction gets logged, so tracking your spending is easy. Here is a video for complete beginners.
6. Google Wallet or Apple Pay
Ditch the physical cards. Store loyalty cards, concert tickets, and boarding passes right on your phone.
Get started here with Google or here with Apple.
7. Google News
Your world will be classes and the people around you, but staying current on state, national, and world news still matters. Google News personalizes your feed and pulls from thousands of outlets. On big stories, you’ll see coverage from multiple angles, not just one.
Get started with Google News here.
8. ChatGPT
For AI, ChatGPT is your generalist. Confused about something from lecture? Ask it. Need a proofreader? It catches errors and tightens your writing. Need a long article summed up fast? Done. Stuck on a math problem? Snap a photo and get step-by-step help.
9. Google Lens
Point your camera at anything and get instant answers. Identify a flower. Learn a landmark’s history. Find out where to buy those shoes you just saw. Think of it as Googling the world around you.
Lens Live goes further. You can have a real-time conversation with AI about whatever your camera sees.
10. AccuWeather
Want to know exactly when the rain starts or stops? This app tells you, so you know whether to wait it out or make a run for class.
Get the app for Android or the app for iPhone.
11. Google Maps
Car, bike, or on foot, you need to know how to get there. Google Maps covers you on Android or iOS.
Get the app for Android or the app for iPhone.
12. Your University’s App
This one’s a given. It’s your fastest source for campus news. Some versions even let you tap an event to add it straight to your calendar.
Get Set Up Now, Not Later
You could set up every one of these apps in one sitting. Create the accounts now, so when you actually need one, you’re not stuck staring at a login screen.
That’s my list of 12. What did I leave out? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments.
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