8 apps to make studying a breeze

No matter what age or education level you’re at, studying and keeping on top of multiple assignments and to-do lists can be a drag. Study is hard work, but why make it harder than it needs to be? With these eight study and organisation apps, getting things done and staying on track might not be fun, but it will be easier. And the best part? They’re all free!

My Study Life

This app is an organiser’s dream. It will help you manage your classes by compiling your timetable (and colour-coding it!) and it will send you notifications for tasks when they’re due, as well as helping you keep on top of when your exams are. (Available on iOS, Android and Windows.)

Tinycards

If you’re being honest, then you’ll admit that using flashcards is a fun way to study. With Tinycards, there are ready-made flashcards on a bunch of subjects or you can create your own. (Available on iOS and web.)

Forest

If you find yourself distracted every time you try to knuckle down and get some study done, Forest is the app for you. Not only will it provide incentive to stay focused, but it will also make you feel good about helping the environment. Basically, the app works by allowing you to plant a tree — digitally, at first — when you stay focused for a period of time. The more time you spend free from distraction, the more points you accumulate, which you can then use to plant more digital trees or an actual tree if you’re keen. Trust us; you’ll become addicted to those digital trees. (Available on iOS, Android and Windows.)

Microsoft Office Mobile

If you’re a student, then chances are you’re intimately involved with Microsoft Office on a daily basis, whether it’s Word, PowerPoint or Excel. With this app, you can access and all of your existing Microsoft docs, as well as create new ones on your phone or tablet. (Available on iOS, Android and Windows.)

RefMe

If you find bibliographies to be a complete pain in the butt, download RefMe immediately. You simply scan a book’s barcode or add in the website and other reference details, and the app will create a bibliography for you in whatever format you need it to. (Available on iOS and Android.)

PhotoMath

If maths is getting you down, PhotoMath is the app for you. Simply take a photo of the maths problem you’re struggling to solve, and the app will solve it for you and provide an explanation as to how it got that answer. (Available on iOS, Android and Windows.)

Evernote

Part of being a student means taking an almost-endless amount of notes. With this app, you can keep them all in one place for easy access. It also has a camera feature, which enables you to take shots of your study materials or those handouts you get during class so you can everything together. (Available on iOS, Android and Windows.)

Coffitivity

Do you find it hard to study when there’s silence but also find it equally hard to concentrate when there’s too much noise or the songs you’re listening to have lyrics? Download Coffitivity and nix that problem. This godsend of an app plays that kind of music that’s always on in the background at cafes and you’ll be surprised at how effective it is at keeping you focused and productive. (Available on iOS and Android.)