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Post University Blog

Need a new college textbook? Hey, there’s an app for that! In fact, there’s an app for nearly everything a college student needs these days, including ones that will get you safely to and from the dorm and even ones that motivate you to work out. If you’re a recent graduate heading off to University this fall, make sure you’re prepared.

Top 10 Must-Have College Apps

Here’s our list of top ten apps that every student should have. You’ll want to make sure to download these apps before you even step on campus.

1. Google Play Books

The Google Play Books app is free to download and gives you access to thousands of ebooks, including many of the textbooks you’ll need for class. Why pay $400 for a hard copy when you can read the same book online for $68? Some books are free, others are not, but rest assured—they’re still worlds cheaper than buying the text at your college bookstore. From Latin to mathematics, medical physiology to the Textbook of Orthodontics, Google Play Books is one of the most important apps you need for college because it can shave big bucks off the cost of your education. And it’s free for iPhone and iPad and Android.

2. Microsoft To Do

It does everything your high school planner did, just faster and more conveniently. When you need to keep track of multiple assignments, daily to-do lists, and more, Microsoft To Do is the app for you. It’s free to install and syncs seamlessly across iPhone, Android, and Windows 10. It also integrates with Outlook Task to keep all your appointments together in one easy-to-access app.

Microsoft To Do is a productivity app that frees up mental space by keeping important lists, tasks, and daily reminders close at hand. It’s free to download and may be one of the best apps for college students available today.

3. Dropbox

Of course you’ll want Dropbox. Everyone else has it, and it’s the perfect place to store tons of files, assignments, resources, and more—all in one convenient place. Dropbox is an online workspace that helps you stay organized alone or with classmates and instructors. Share important files seamlessly, view and edit your work, and access it all from the convenience of your smartphone, tablet, or PC. There’s no need to switch between multiple apps to access your important docs when you have Dropbox to store everything conveniently in the cloud.

4. Microsoft Office Lens

Microsoft Office Lens lets you scan whiteboards, blackboards, documents, and more to convert them into PDF form so you can retrieve them instantly. No more copying notes off the blackboard with this app that snaps a pic and then stores it as a PDF. Save time and paper with this app that’s free for download to your iPhone or Android device. Microsoft Office Lens is definitely one of the best apps for college students in 2020.

5. SelfControl

The SelfControl app for MAC allows you to block distractions while you study, attend lectures, or sit in class. It’s basically a productivity app that blocks sites such as Facebook, Netflix, and Twitter for as long as you tell it to. This means you won’t get bogged down in your newsfeed when you should concentrate on school or homework. The best part about SelfControl is that it lets you list all the sites that tempt you, making them unavailable for as long as you need. SelfControl is free for download and comes in at number five on our list of apps you need for college.

6. bSafe

bSafe is available for iPhone and will help keep you safe when you have to walk alone getting to or from the dorm. With bSafe, you can build a network of reliable friends and call upon them to walk you home virtually through use of the app. Live stream your journey, activate the SOS on your phone to begin recording, or activate your built-in alarm by voice if you’re in trouble. With the bSafe app, you never have to walk home alone again.

7. Uber

When you find yourself away from home and off campus, it’s good to have a ride just a single app away. Uber has been around for a while, and it’s available for free download for all mobile devices. Simply input your debit or credit information for storage, and when you need a ride, a simple tap of the screen can help you get home safely.

8. Zombies, Run!

For anyone who needs motivation to lace up their running shoes and hit the track, Zombies, Run! is a fun and immersive app that puts you right in the middle of a zombie apocalypse where you must run for your life to stay ahead of the groaning, moaning zombies. Billed as a running game and audio adventure, this app may provide just the right amount of inspiration to get you up and running. Available for free download for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

9. Quizlet

It doesn’t matter what subject you need to master, from American History to Ancient Religion, Quizlet is the app that can help you customize the way you study. Using Quizlet, you can make your own flashcards for digital study or to print out. Or, you can choose from the ones other students have uploaded. And if flashcards aren’t your thing, you can test yourself, or memorize content that you or others have uploaded. Quizlet is completely customizable to your grade level and the material you’re studying, so you’ll always gain a mental workout. Quizlet is free to download for iPhone, iPad, and Android.

10. Realcal Scientific Calculator

Who needs a pricey scientific calculator when a free app is just as good? With Quartic Software’s Realcalc Scientific Calculator it’s easy to find the sine, cosine, and tangent, along with a host of other calculations that used to be available only via the real thing. Download the app today for math made easy—all for free. Available for iPhone and Android Devices.

Before you head off to start your new life away from home and all the people and conveniences you’ve grown to love, take the steps necessary to remain safe and successful. Apps that make note-taking quicker and easier, apps that help get you organized, and apps that make it easier to stay safe are all necessities for anyone who carries a smartphone. Better yet—most are completely free to download. Give yourself and your parent’s peace of mind by putting your mobile device to good use. Download a few of our top-ten apps that every college student should have before leaving home this fall.