Scheduling
To-Do Lists
Staying on top of homework from numerous classes can quickly become overwhelming. I like using a task-planning app to list the homework from all my classes using the syllabi I get at the beginning of the semester. Color-coding (or keeping a separate list) for each class makes task planning even easier.
- Microsoft To Do
- iOS Remind
I use Microsoft To Do to list the assignments from every class at the beginning of the semester. I like that it lets you organize each class into a separate tasklist and organize tasklists into folders like “School” or “Work”. It has a main tasklist called “My Day” to which I can add tasks from my different lists. The reminders are also helpful for larger assignments like midterms or projects.
Learn more about Microsoft To Do
Microsoft To Do is available for Microsoft, Android, and Mac, but for people who prefer Apple to Microsoft, I’d recommend the Remind app pre-installed on your device. It’s comparable to Microsoft To Do.
Learn more about task lists for Apple
Calendars
Between classes, work, and extracurriculars, my brain is so frazzled that if I don’t write an appointment down, I will forget about it. If that also describes you, calendar apps give you a platform to track that information.
- Outlook Calendar
- Google Calendar
I use Outlook’s calendar app to map out my semester, scheduling time for lectures, work, homework, and other activities like ward functions or club meetings. I like that I can mark activites as “busy”, “tentative”, etc. to differentiate between required or optional activities. You can also color code different classes or activities to make things a little clearer. I created a separate calendar for all my TAs’ hours, which I can toggle on and off; this helps me avoid checking LearningSuite over and over to see when I can get help.
Learn more about Outlook Calendar
For those who don’t use Microsoft/Outlook, Google has a comparable calendar app that lets you do about the same thing. I can’t in good conscience recommend Apple’s calendar app since I am not impressed with its limited capabilities, but if you’re a diehard Apple fan, I’m sure you could find alternatives.
Learn more about Google Calendar
Studying
For those long study sessions
Have you ever hit a point when you’re studying for a difficult midterm and you feel like you’ve hit a wall? Have you thought about the studying you’ll have to do and don’t know where to begin? Maybe I’m the only one that’s felt like this, but in any case, here are some apps that have kept me studying for hours on end.
- TomatoTimer
- ChilledCow
The Pomodoro technique is an attention technique that has proven effective for people completing a lengthy task. The basic premise is that you focus really hard for 20 minutes with absolutely no distractions, then take a break for 10 minutes. You can repeat this about 4 times before you need a 15-minute break. The TomatoTimer does the 20/10/15 timing automatically for you, and you can customize it for different lengths of pomodoros and breaks if you’d like. Chunking my study time like this helps turn a daunting midterm into something manageable.
Learn more about the Pomodoro Technique
ChilledCow is a live streamed YouTube channel that plays what some people call “bedroom pop”–i.e., nonintrusive, electronic/jazz-type music. I feel like it keeps me awake while not being distracting. Sometimes when I feel like procrastinating I watch the live comments for entertainment. For those who hate synthesized music, a quick search on YouTube might yield a different live stream more to your taste.
For defeating procrastination
Freshman year, it was hard to go from high-school teachers and parents monitoring my progress to having to monitor myself on my own. There were a few apps that I found helpful to increasing my self control when I started out with none.
- StayFocusd
- iOS Screen Time
First, I downloaded a Chrome extension called StayFocusd that you can set up to block certain distracting websites (like YouTube or Twitter) during certain hours of the day or after a certain amount of time you’ve spent on the site. This saved me from wasting hours of my day going down the rabbit hole of Buzzfeed quizzes when I should’ve been studying.
Another app I liked for self control is the iPhone’s feature for monitoring screen time (in Settings). It gives me a visual every week of where I’ve spent my time, and then I can make changes the next week to meet my goals. I’ve often been surprised how much time I spent on social media.
Mental Health
Transitioning to a new environment and enduring the stress of school, work, and thinking about the future can put a strain on your mental well-being, which is not only harmful to your productivity but can cause a lot of pain. BYU’s Counseling and Psychological Services has a great website with a lot of resources (including ones for self help in the Self Help tab) for managing your mental health.
What apps have you found that help you stay on track? What apps do you wish could simplify a part of your life? Leave a comment and let us know.
Peer Consulting 