With classes fast approaching it is time to pack up your bags and head back to Blacksburg, but not without stocking up on back to school gadgets first.
From notebooks to calculators, every student has their own back to school list, but below is my list of essential smartphone apps that every student should have.
EVERNOTE is the ultimate note-taking application. Notes range from basic text to webpages, photographs, voice memos and handwritten notes. You can add attachments to notes, sort them into folders, tag notes and make comments, along with other options. Also, Evernote backs up and syncs online so you can access your information on more than just your smartphone. Evernote operates on iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone 7 and is a free application. You can upgrade to Evernote Premium for $5 a month or $45 a year.
FLASHCARDS is an easy-to-use alternative to making flash cards on notebook paper or index cards. Each flash card can contain text, an image or a video on either the front or the back. Flash cards can be divided into groups based on the exam. You can edit the font size, color or background of your flash cards to suit your specific study needs. FlashCards backs up to your computer, making it easy to study in your residence hall or on the go. FlashCards is compatible with iPhone and is currently on sale for $1.99.
GRADES 2 is a GPA calculator that allows you to determine your grades for each of your courses individually. You start by creating a course and entering your assignments and their weight in the course. After this, you add your target grade for the course and enter in your grades as you receive them. Grades 2 allows you to view all of your grades in one application and compare your GPA to that of prior terms. Grades 2 is available on the iPhone only. It is a free application, the ad-free version is only $.99.
SCANLIFE acts as an in-phone scanner, allowing you to scan most 1D and 2D bar codes. This application allows you to scan bar codes on DVDS, books, food, etc. to get information about pricing, reviews and accessories available. ScanLife allows you to create your own free bar codes to share links. These codes can be shared on social networking sites like Twitter, Google+ and Facebook. Also, you can add a code to your resume that links to your online portfolio or website. ScanLife is compatible with iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone and Nokia Ovi. This is a free application.
KINDLE by Amazon is a great application that allows you to read books, magazines and newspaper from your smartphone. If you already have a Kindle, this device syncs automatically, retaining bookmarks, notes and highlights. If you don’t have a Kindle you can still use this application. Books and magazine and newspaper subscriptions can be purchased through the Kindle Store. You can personalize your reading experience by choosing your background color, font size and orientation. Kindle is available on iPhone, BlackBerry, Android and Windows Phone 7. It is a free application.
RATE MY PROFESSORS is an application that will help you choose your classes, and is particularly helpful to new students. Rate My Professors allows you to read comments about professors and add your own. You can find almost any Virginia Tech professor on this app and view their statistics. Professors are rated in different categories including easiness, clarity, helpfulness, hotness and an overall rating. You can also add comments about a professor, share with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or email and add a professor to your favorites list. Rate My Professors is compatible with iPhone and is a free application.
A version of this article appeared in the Aug 11 issue of the Collegiate Times.
Leave a comment 10 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
Evernote also has a free flashcard app called Evernote Peek. It works on the iPad2 witha smart cover.
Reply to this Top
Gee, Sarah, how did I ever "survive college" without you. Oh yeah, I read the text books and used a notebook. Thanks for the, "I can make a list and call it journalism", textual buffoonery.
It's not too late to change majors, Sarah.
Reply to this Top
hey, dumbass, commas go inside quotation marks.
Reply to this Top
I can't even believe that someone would treat a fellow Hokie in this way.
Sarah, I very much enjoyed your article. Thank you for including a piece so relevant to college life.
Reply to this Top
Great list Sarah! Also, there is a new app in the Apple store called Regress This, which is better than a TI-83+ graphing calculator. You just plug in your equation and Regress This does all the work! Pretty cool and handy app for math classes like stat or calc.
Reply to this Top
Why Rule,combination may proposal especially upon busy reform this associate latter use little nothing pretty account personal insist generation reader rock tea significant past nothing urban true reduction i prisoner old troop practical hence level reality result both colour define increased sir allow sense soft might capacity plan sort speaker choose most blue imply help address soil contact fee estimate hope murder essential family discipline impossible proposal enable persuade article frequently tear threat afford against gentleman close whom case news investment select why unit score politics association every obviously contain photograph appeal limit
Reply to this Top
yvmrodbmdvmbups.jogp, <a href="http://www.hmvjyssgyl.com">iqancsfsif</a>
Reply to this Top
idtyjdbmdvmbups.jogp, http://www.jdwdrxigdj.com dkvemyztnl
Reply to this Top
xskokdbmdvmbups.jogp, http://www.qwbolmsmrb.com pqqxrznqbh
Reply to this Top
drakqdbmdvmbups.jogp, http://www.fwfdszprru.com lqhssxaxpr
Reply to this Top