Helpful apps for students

Smartphones, iPads, and laptops have become a part of students’ everyday lives. While schools promote the idea of using technology to learn, students mostly use these tools to play video games or text their friends in school. Students should learn how to use their devices for learning and how to use them without developing addiction tendencies. Fortunately, there are some apps that can help students study and manage their tech use.

1. Forest

• Available on iOS, Android, and Chrome Web Store
• Costs NT$130 on App Store
• Includes free version on Android devices

Forest is a timer app that prevents users from being distracted by other apps. Digital trees are planted when the timer ends, but opening other apps before the timer ends will cause the tree to die. If the user feels guilty for “killing” the tree, they will focus on their work. However, the app may not be useful for people who don’t care about the life and death of the tree.

2. Focus Tomato

• Available on iOS
• Includes premium version

This app is an aesthetic Pomodoro timer designed for users to focus. It is a plain timer that helps the user focus during the time set. The app doesn’t prevent users from opening other apps and doesn’t include challenges or virtual rewards. Unlike Forest, users don’t need to spend their time completing game goals.

3. PaGamO

• Available on iOS, Android, and browsers
• Includes premium versions

PaGamo is an app that combines video games with studying. Users can choose different subjects to review and answer questions from the lesson to expand their virtual land. Teachers can also assign questions to students in the classroom on this app. By answering the questions correctly, students can earn rewards from the app and reach higher levels in the game.

4. GoodNotes 5

• Available on iOS and browsers
• Includes premium version

Students often use this app to take notes on tablets instead of notebooks. GoodNotes 5 includes many features, such as inserting photos or drawing pictures for their notes. The app allows users to sync their notes across devices logged into their iCloud account. By taking notes on their tablets, students can reduce the number of notebooks stuffed in their backpacks.

5. Microsoft Lens

• Available on iOS and Android

Microsoft Lens is a scanner that can convert scanned images and physical notes into PDF files or PowerPoints. Features such as extracting text on a scanned document and reading the text are included in the app too.

6. Daylio

• Available on iOS and Android
• Includes premium version

The Daylio app allows busy students to write a simple online journal. Users don’t need to type an article for their daily journal. Instead, they only need to choose their mood and the activities they have done that day to complete their diary. The app is helpful for those who want to keep track of their life but don’t have much free time to do so.

7. Todoist

• Available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows 10 or Windows 11
• Includes premium version

Students can make a to-do list and filter their tasks according to different activities. This app will be helpful for students who take many classes and have many projects or assignments to complete. The app also allows teammates to work together on projects by having a shared to-do list on the app.

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Laptops aren’t just for video games, tablets aren’t just for meaningless videos, and smartphones aren’t just for social media. They were designed to help us learn and increase productivity. Furthermore, certain apps are designed to assist students with their school life. However, these apps can only assist students to use devices correctly if kids can restrain themselves from being distracted.

So, stop being addicted to social media, and use your devices to learn.