Written by Jordan Murray
Cover photo by Jordan Murray
It’s midterms time!
I’m all for the old-school methods of note taking, but I also love using technology to help me with my schoolwork. I’ve compiled a list of apps/programs that are extremely useful in taking notes, studying, being productive, and keeping organized.
Goodnotes 5:
For those who have a propensity for technology and like to hand-write their notes, Goodnotes 5 is the perfect fusion of the two. Available on Apple and Android, Goodnotes works the best on a tablet and stylus (ex. iPad and Apple pencil). More than just a note taking app, Goodnotes has a wide variety of uses, including:
- Handwriting recognition; you can search terms and definitions, and Goodnotes will show you everywhere those words appear in your notes
- Customize your palm rejection; this allows you to tell the program how your hand is positioned while you write
- Import and annotate PDFs and PowerPoints
- Customizable ‘notebook’ covers and organization system
- Easily export your notes as images or PDFs
- Split screen and import images
- And so much more!
Please note that Goodnotes 5 does cost $7.99 on the app store.
Quizlet:
Quizlet is a free app that lets users create their own flashcards, or use other pre-created sets of flashcards to study. According to the official Quizlet website, 92% of their users reported higher grades after using the app. Create and customize your own set of flashcards to fit the curriculum you are learning and studying from. Whether you’re a biology major or a history major, Quizlet’s digital flashcards are a great way to ace your courses.
Apple Notes App:
The Notes app is no stranger to Apple users, as it comes preinstalled on all iPhones and iPads. However, there are some newer features that not everyone knows about, and they’re quite useful in terms of productivity.
For instance, you can create tables and even mark-up the notes you type. Though, what I think is most useful is the scan feature. When you tap the camera icon on the notes page, you’ll see the option to scan a document, allowing you to do just that. From there, you can save it as an image, PDF, or even share it through iMessage or email.
Forest – Stay Focused:
This app is great for productivity, and not for the reasons you might think. Forest is an app that helps you stay focused and off distracting apps. You plant a tree when you need to study or stay focused, and set a commitment time. If you go on Instagram or messages or anything of the likes, your tree dies. If you complete your commitment time without succumbing to any distractions, your tree grows. You can earn rewards, add friends, and compete with users all over the world.
Unfortunately, Forest is only available for Apple products. It costs $2.79 on the app store.
Hopefully something on this list is useful to you! Remember though, you don’t need fancy technology or apps to be productive and to do well in school – you just need a strong work ethic. Good luck everyone!
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