21 Best Apps For College Students

College can feel pretty overwhelming sometimes, with assignments, projects, and exams piling up. It’s no wonder students are always on the lookout for ways to make their lives easier. To stay on top of everything, having the right tools at your fingertips is essential. And let’s face it, there are times when you’re drowning in coursework and think, “I wish someone could just do this assignment for me.” Luckily, the best apps for college students are here to help make your life easier.

In this article, we’ll dive into the best application for your smartphone, tablet or iPad, and laptop or computer to help you stay on top of your game. Keep reading to find out more!

• 21 Apps For College Student Survival
• Productivity and Organization
• Learning and Education
• Language Learning
• Study Tools
• Health and Wellness
• Finance
• Research and Writing
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

21 Apps For College Student Survival

Today, we live in a time where tech has your back. Many apps are designed to help you stay organized, productive, and focused. If you want to manage your schedule, take notes, study, or even track your finances, there’s an app out there to make college life a little smoother.

Here are the apps that you should be downloading to your devices, grouped according to their functions.

Productivity and Organization

1. Google Apps

Availability: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Chrome OS

Google Apps should definitely be a go-to in your app collection. If you’re scheduling your day with Google Calendar, finding your way around town with Google Maps, or hosting group discussions on Google Meet, Google has tools to keep your life organized. These are definitely some of the best apps for college students.

With OneDrive, you can easily store all your assignments, projects, and photos in one place. Google Docs makes group projects a breeze by letting everyone create, edit, and share files in real time. Need to put together a presentation? Google Slides has got you covered.

These often come with free versions, and many universities offer Google Apps for free as part of their services.

2. 2Do

Availability: Android, iOS, macOS

2Do is a personal task manager that helps you quickly jot down tasks and ideas on any device. You can use it to create daily checklists and check off what you’ve accomplished then add new tasks as the day goes on. This makes 2Do one of the best apps for college students who want to stay organized.

2Do helps you stay organized and makes multitasking feel more manageable, especially when life gets hectic.

3. Todoist

Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and web browsers

Todoist is the ultimate productivity app for keeping your tasks and projects organized. It helps you create to-do lists, set deadlines, and prioritize tasks, so you’re always on top of things. You can even use it to break bigger projects into smaller steps to keep everything manageable.

Professionals and students alike love Todoist for staying organized. It’s great for keeping track of assignments, scheduling deadlines, or just managing your everyday tasks.

4. My Study Life

Availability: Android, iOS, Windows, web browsers

My Study Life is a comprehensive study planner that helps you keep track of everything in one place. You can create custom schedules, track homework and due dates, and even set reminders for important deadlines.

It’s perfect for students with busy schedules who need a little extra help managing their coursework and academic goals. Use this app to stay organized, stay on top of your studies, and crush your academic goals.

5. Office Lens

Availability: Android, iOS, and Windows

Office Lens by Microsoft is a game-changer for anyone who needs to quickly capture and organize information. If you’re snapping a photo of a document, whiteboard, magazine, receipt, or even notes on a blackboard, this app converts them into clean, editable, and shareable text. For this reason, it’s among the best apps for college students.

What’s really cool is that it can read images even if you take them from an angle, and it automatically fixes any glare or shadows, so your shots always look crisp. You can then save or share the scanned documents as PDFs, Word files, or even PowerPoint slides which makes it convenient for organizing class notes, assignments, or any important paperwork.

6. IFTTT

Availability: Android, iOS, and web browsers

IFTTT (If This, Then That) is like having your own personal virtual assistant that helps you automate tasks and connect different apps on your phone. It lets you create “recipes” that link apps together in a cause-and-effect way.

For example, you can set it up so you get a daily text with the weather forecast, or have it notify you when your professor emails you. The app is super customizable and allows you to streamline your day-to-day life, from small tasks to bigger organization hacks. It’s one of the best apps for college students who love automating their work.

7. Forest

Availability: Android, iOS, and Chrome

Forest is a cool app that keeps you focused by planting digital trees while you work. If you stay on task, your tree grows. If you get distracted by your phone, it withers. This app is a productivity booster for those who want to stay on track.

For every digital tree you successfully grow, the company plants real trees in the world. So far, they’ve planted over 1.5 million trees with Trees for the Future. It’s a fun way to stay focused and help the planet at the same time.

Learning and Education

8. Coursera

Availability: Android, iOS, and web browsers

If you’re looking for a university experience that fits right in your pocket, Coursera is a great app for such a purpose. It offers over 1,000 courses on just about any topic you can imagine. You’ll get access to lectures, reading assignments, and videos. The app makes it easy to learn on the go.

When you finish a course, you’ll even receive a certificate of completion. Some courses are free, while others require payment. But either way, Coursera remains one of the best apps for college students who want to expand their knowledge and improve their resume.

9. Khan Academy

Availability: Android, iOS, and web browsers

Khan Academy is a nonprofit educational platform that offers free, world-class courses in a variety of subjects, including math, science, physics, economics, and more. It provides personalized learning with interactive exercises, instructional videos, and a range of practice problems.

The platform tailors learning experiences based on your progress, making it an effective tool for students of all levels. The goal is to make high-quality education accessible to everyone, regardless of location or financial ability.

Khan Academy, one of the best apps for college students, started with YouTube videos teaching math concepts and has since evolved into a widely-used resource for both students and educators. The platform now serves millions globally, offering content in multiple languages. Beyond traditional subjects, it also covers test prep for standardized exams like the SAT, LSAT, and MCAT.

10. Udemy

Availability: Android, iOS, and web browsers

With over 200,000 courses created by experts from various industries, Udemy allows you to explore new skills, advance your career, or simply pursue your hobbies. Courses are typically self-paced, making it easy to fit learning into your schedule.

What makes Udemy stand out is its flexible learning model and interactive features, such as quizzes, assignments, and downloadable resources. You can also read reviews and ratings from other users before enrolling, ensuring that you choose the course that best meets your needs. While most courses are paid, Udemy frequently offers discounts, and you have lifetime access to any courses you purchase.

11. TED

Availability: Android, iOS, and web browsers

Looking for some inspiration or fresh ideas? TED is the perfect app for college students who want to learn from experts in different fields. It offers tons of educational talks on topics ranging from technology and science to business and psychology. TED is undeniably one of the best apps for college students to broaden their horizons.

The app is super easy to navigate, making it simple to find new talks or save your favorites for later. TED is a great way to broaden your horizons and gain insights that can help you in both your academics and future career.

Language Learning

12. Duolingo

Availability: Android, iOS, Windows and web browsers

Ever thought about picking up a new language? Duolingo is one of the most popular language-learning apps. With its fun, game-like approach and easy-to-use interface, it makes learning a new language both effective and enjoyable.

With over 100 language courses in 40+ languages, Duolingo caters to every level, from total beginners to advanced learners. Its interactive lessons, speaking exercises, and progress tracking help you stay motivated as you learn.

Study Tools

13. RefME

Availability: Android, iOS, and web browsers

RefME is a handy app that takes the stress out of creating citations, making it one of the best apps for college students working on research papers. All you have to do is use your phone’s camera to scan the barcode of a book, and it instantly generates a citation for you in MLA, Chicago, or whatever format your school requires.

It’s a real time-saver, especially when you’re juggling multiple sources for papers and projects. Plus, it works across Android, iOS, and the web, so you can access it wherever you are. No more stressing over getting the formatting right—RefME does it for you with just a quick scan.

14. StudyBlue

Availability: Android, iOS

StudyBlue is a super useful app for organizing your study materials all in one place. You can upload your class notes, create electronic flashcards, and even share them with classmates. The app also lets you take practice quizzes to test your knowledge and see where you might need some extra review.

One of its coolest features is that you can access a huge library of flashcards created by other students, so if you’re in a rush, you might find just what you need already made. If you’re prepping for a big exam or just reviewing class notes, StudyBlue helps make studying way more efficient and collaborative. Plus, it’s free and available on both Android and iOS, which is why it’s among the best apps for college students.

15. Quizlet Flashcard App

Availability: Android, iOS, and web browsers

The Quizlet flashcard app is a super convenient study tool to help you prep for your next test, exam, or even a big presentation. No matter what you’re studying, flashcards are a great way to help your brain retain important information. With Quizlet, you can easily create your own custom flashcards, perfect for memorizing key facts and concepts to crush your classes.

Quizlet has a massive library with millions of ready-made flashcards, available for free. It’s especially useful if you’re an international student trying to pick up some of the local language while studying abroad. Just search for a deck in your subject area and work it into your daily study routine. Quizlet is simple, effective, and fast.

Health and Wellness

16. MyFitnessPal

Availability: Android, iOS, and web browsers

Looking to stay healthy while juggling college life? MyFitnessPal is a fantastic app that makes it easy to track what you eat and how much you exercise. With features like calorie counting, diet tracking, and even a barcode scanner, it’s perfect for monitoring and tweaking your eating habits. That’s why it’s one of the best apps for college students.

The app’s massive database of foods and exercises lets you quickly log meals and activities. Plus, there’s a supportive online community to keep you motivated. It’s a must-have for keeping your health in check while handling all your university demands.

17. Headspace

Availability: Android, iOS, and web browsers

Headspace is a super helpful app for guided meditation and mental wellness, perfect for staying focused and managing anxiety. It’s ideal if you are looking to maintain mental balance while managing a busy college schedule.

It’s really user-friendly and great for starting your day with meditation, inspiration, or even workout videos. And after a long day, you can unwind with their sleep casts or soothing music to help you relax and drift off to sleep. While most of the content on Headspace requires a subscription, they offer discounted rates for students at less than $10 USD. This makes it an affordable option for stress relief and mindfulness. That’s why it’s considered one of the best apps for college students who prioritize mental wellness.

18. Cookpad

Availability: Android, iOS, and web browsers

Cookpad is an awesome cooking app for students, packed with tons of recipes from all over the world, and available in 16 different languages! Anyone can contribute their favorite recipes to this massive collection, and you can bookmark ones you want to try later.

If you have food allergies, no problem—the app helps you filter out ingredients, so you can still enjoy your favorite dishes without the worry. This functionality makes Cookpad a handy tool for those who are trying to maintain a healthy diet on a budget.

Finance

19. Mint

Availability: Android, iOS, and web browsers

Mint is the perfect financial app to keep your spending in check. It links to your bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial tools to give you a clear snapshot of your finances in one place.

Mint categorizes your transactions automatically, so it’s easy to see where your money’s going. You can even set up budgets, track bills, and get personalized financial advice to make smarter spending choices. It’s a great way to stay on top of your finances, whether you’re saving up for something big or just trying to manage day-to-day expenses. That’s why Mint is considered one of the best apps for college students.

Research and Writing

20. Grammarly

Availability: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, web browsers and extensions

Even though Mandarin Chinese might be the most spoken first language, English is the top language overall. Grammarly makes sure your English grammar and spelling are on point. It’s one of the best apps for college students who want to make their writing error-free.

We’ve all had those moments where grammar trips us up—like missing a comma, mixing up ‘me’ and ‘I’, or falling into the ‘your’ vs. ‘you’re’ trap. Having Grammarly around to catch those mistakes makes writing easier and less stressful.

The app integrates with your phone, web browser, or other writing tools, checking for errors automatically. If you’re drafting an assignment, posting on social media, or emailing your professor, Grammarly’s got you covered.

21. Buzzsumo

Availability: web browser only

Buzzsumo is a fantastic tool for finding popular and relevant articles in whatever field you’re researching. It shows you the most shared content across social media platforms, so you can see what’s currently trending. Buzzsumo is one of the best apps for college students conducting research for projects.

You can customize your search by content type (articles, infographics, etc.) and adjust the time frame to focus on recent or older posts, from the last week up to six months back. It’s a great way to discover well-received content and get a sense of what topics people are engaging with the most.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What platforms do college students use the most?

College students frequently use platforms like Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365 for creating and sharing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. Learning management systems such as Canvas and Blackboard are essential for accessing course materials and submitting assignments. Zoom is widely used for virtual classes, while YouTube serves as a resource for educational videos.

2. What is the most downloaded education app?

In 2023, Duolingo led the educational app category with a remarkable 148 million downloads. It is the most downloaded app by a wide margin.

3. Do US colleges and universities allow the use of AI?

The use of AI in U.S. colleges and universities really depends on the school and their specific policies. Some are all for it, using tools like ChatGPT to help with things like research, writing, or coding. But many schools also have rules in place to prevent cheating, making sure AI is used in a fair and ethical way.

A lot of the time, this means being upfront about when you’re using AI and citing it properly. Some universities might even limit how you can use AI for tests or graded work. In the end, it really comes down to how each school decides to incorporate AI into learning.

4. What are the most common apps for college applications?

The most popular apps for college applications are the Common App and the Coalition App, which let you apply to multiple schools in one go. If you’re applying to universities in the UK, UCAS is the go-to platform. There’s also the Common Black College App for HBCUs. Many students also use school-specific portals or tools like Naviance to manage recommendations and keep track of their applications. These platforms make the whole process smoother and help you apply to several schools at once without too much hassle.

Takeaways

College life can be overwhelming with the constant pressure of assignments, projects, and exams. Fortunately, the best apps for college students are designed to help you stay organized, focused, and productive.

• Google Apps, like Google Calendar, Docs, and Slides, are critical tools for college students. They make it easy to schedule, collaborate on group projects, and store files in one place, helping to keep life organized and productive.
• Apps like 2Do and Todoist help you stay on track with your assignments and personal tasks.
• Apps like Office Lens and IFTTT streamline the process of capturing and organizing information, while also automating tasks and improving productivity.
• Ready for college? Consult a college admissions expert. They can help you understand all you need to know about college life.