Student blogs: Essential mobile apps for students
No doubt your phone is jam packed with a multitude of apps that you use daily (let's not admit how many hours of our lives we’ve spent endlessly scrolling through Instagram or twitter). But apps can also be useful for other things, beyond staying connected with the rest of the world (shocker). Below, I have listed nine apps that my friends and I have found most useful as students — don’t worry they’re all free!
Organisation
Your university's app:The most important app to have as a student is your university's own app; this will be the most helpful to you during your time studying. You’ll be able to view your timetable, get access to online readings and use the library services. The app may even allow you to have access to lecture presentations and notes (always helpful for when you’ve overslept for those pesky 9AMs).
DropBox: There is nothing worse than finishing an essay and then losing it due to some technical issue with your laptop. To avoid this, and prevent the stressful breakdown that would no doubt come with this problem, is DropBox. Dropbox is an external service where you can save your work so even if — God forbid — something happens to your laptop, you can still access your DropBox account from any other device.
Money
Splitwise: This app is particularly useful if you are living in a shared house and need to split household bills, although it can be used to split any cost such as meals out. Splitwise lets you know who owes you what, and also how much you owe other people. Email reminders can be set up to remind others to pay you so you can avoid having that awkward conversation in person — Praise the Lord for technology!
Spendee: Spendee is a great app to keep track of your money and set budgets for yourself. Many students forget to budget their money and end up broke half-way through term (eating baked beans for six weeks straight is no one’s idea of a great dinner). You can add in all of your expenses such as bills, food shopping, rent etc. as well as add in any income you receive. Monitoring your money has never been easier.
Safety
Moovit: If you’re at uni then chances are you’re in a new city which you don’t know much about, and this can be quite daunting. Moovit lets you have quick access to all the public transport links that are near you, offering you timetables, arrival times and service alerts and it can also plan a journey for you.
Circle of 6: This is an essential app, especially if you’re on a night out and you end up getting separated from your friends or if you’re walking home on your own and your friends want to keep an eye on you. You can add up to 6 people to your circle who can then be easily and quickly reached, if need be. All if you have to do is double tap your circle and it lets the people in your circle know where you are and how they can help you (your legs will thank you for no longer having to power walk everywhere when you're on your own).
Wellbeing
Change4life Smart Recipes: If you haven’t had much experience cooking before, then this app is a must-have. Change4life Smart Recipes allows you access to over 160 easy-to-follow recipes for all sorts of meals and snacks. The app also lets you store your favourite recipes and enables you to keep track of any ingredients you may need by managing a shopping list. All the recipes on the app are designed to help you achieve a healthier lifestyle (sorry Domino's) and offers useful tips and advice along the way.
Five Ways to Wellbeing: Being a university student can be quite stressful and overwhelming at times so it’s important that you take the time to look after yourself and your mind. Five ways to Wellbeing helps you to keep track and improve your wellbeing. The five sections of the app are: connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give. The app then generates easy activities you can do linked to these sections each week, which are designed to boost your wellbeing.
MindShift: If you struggle with anxiety, then MindShift could be really helpful. This app is designed to help you cope with anxiety instead of just ignoring it. You will learn how to relax, develop helpful ways of thinking and identify useful steps that will aid you in dealing with your anxiety.
Why not give a couple of these apps a try and hopefully you’ll see how beneficial they can be in your student life!
Eileanor has just started her third year studying English Language at the University of Chester.
Note: 'Student Blog' pieces highlight the student perspective on issues relating to ProtectED. Consequently, this article reflects the views of the author and not ProtectED.
