Staying productive and focused in university can be challenging. Procrastination, Netflix, naps and friends are often much more interesting than studying, but at some point the studying part of being a student arrives. These apps and aids can assist in helping you stay organised and afloat during test and assignment season.
Microsoft Office
UP offers all registered students access to the Microsoft Office Suite for free. Students can access and download the program by going to https://login.microsoftonline.com. The login details are your @tuks gmail account and the UP portal password. Basic office programs are integral to working in the hybrid environment of online and contact learning.
Google Drive
A good storage place for all assignments, study notes, photos, guacamole recipes and more. Google Drive is automatically included with your Gmail account and the app makes it easier to use than ever. The suite of Google apps work well together, such as Google Sheets, Google Slides and Google Meet. These apps are great for university and make life easier.
Google Docs
If group assignments are a common obstacle throughout the year, Google Docs is the perfect app to use that allows all members in your group to collaborate and work simultaneously. It also automatically saves all progress made, making it a good program to use during load shedding, or if your laptop has the tendency to crash. Every document is helpfully saved on Google Drive and can be made available offline as well.
Free resources online
Websites such as daydesigner.com and passionplanner.com offer free printable and digital templates for monthly planners, schedules, book trackers, day planners and journals. Online resources can also offer inspiration if you’re up to making your own planner or digital journal.
Free quiz websites (and apps) like Quizlet can also be helpful when preparing for tests and exams. Learning tools and aids like games and flashcards can make studying a little less daunting and help organise your study schedule.
Slidesgo
Slidesgo offers free PowerPoint or Google Slide templates that can be used for study notes, class presentations,
and more. Sprucing up your slides can make presentations seem slightly less horrifying.
Google Chrome extensions
Google offers a variety of extensions that can make the studying process just a little bit easier. Most extensions can be added to Google for free and are easy to use to customise your browser. Some useful extensions to consider are: Momentum, Dualless, Alphatext, Forest, Weava, Toby and Mybib.
ClickUP
ClickUP is easily accessible on the Blackboard App that can be downloaded from the App or Google Play stores. It is helpful to have your modules and ClickUP pages accessible on any device, and notifications ensure you’re up to date on any announcements and updates. It is an age-old struggle for students to keep up with ClickUP, and the Blackboard app goes a long way in helping you stay on track.
UP Library App
UP Library Services are available through an app that can be downloaded from the App Store on iOS devices and Google Play Store on Android devices. The app can be used to search the library catalogues, find new books and articles, renew books, check library times, request materials and request interlibrary lending for texts that may be located at other libraries.
CamScanner
This app is a simple tool that goes a long way. CamScanner can be downloaded on iOS and Android devices and allows you to scan, save and send documents, images, texts and more as PDFs and various other formats.
TED
As with the widely known TED and TEDx talks, the TED app features short and interesting talks on various topics. While watching TED talks won’t help you in your degree, it is, at least, a more productive way to procrastinate. You may just find some inspiration for that looming assignment.
Ultimately, these apps and tools can’t change the nature of university. They can make things easier though, and help you stay organised and focused as you adapt to the pace of the academic year. For more tips on staying afloat, check out PDBY’s article “A first year’s guide to chowing course”.
Image: Leah Rees
Leah is a pale ... awkward ... asthmatic ginger.
She used to be Head of Layout (cries) before becoming Digital Manager in an effort to take over PDBY, an effort that has since failed (its all political). She has a keen eye for alignment, an intense love for tequila and chicken nuggets, and occasionally enjoys frollicking in the hills. To end off this bio she leaves this final nugget of wisdom "You just lost the game".
Kayla is the Editor of PDBY for 2020 and 2021. She joined the copy team in 2017, and became head layout editor in 2018 before starting her term as Editor. Kayla is obsessed with PDBY and is considering moving into the office to live with Pssst... forever. You can reach her by email.