Smartphones have revolutionized college life, providing students with mobile apps that simplify time management, organization, homework, collaboration, and more.
In recent years, the emergence of artificial intelligence tools like Microsoft Copilot and OpenAI’s ChatGPT has further transformed the college experience. While ChatGPT has sparked controversy for its ability to write essays, solve equations, create graphic designs, and even generate code, it has also made students question whether they should rely on such tools or simply hire someone to do my assignment.
Experts in higher education and ed-tech are increasingly recognizing the potential of these tools. With AI now seamlessly integrated into many apps, it has become an indispensable part of the modern learning process.
Essential apps every college student should know about
Finding the right apps can make a huge difference in managing college life. Experts suggest checking reviews, download stats, and asking classmates or instructors for recommendations. Since every student’s needs are unique, start by asking yourself, “What do I need the most help with?” Here’s a curated list of highly useful apps for college students many of which are free.
AnkiMobile Flashcards
AnkiMobile is a powerful tool for mastering memorization and studying efficiently. As the top-paid education app on the Apple App Store, it allows users to create custom flashcards enriched with images, audio, and fill-in-the-blank prompts. You can also download pre-made decks or share flashcards with friends. The app uses spaced repetition to schedule reviews based on your learning pace or exam deadlines. Available exclusively for iPad and iPhone, it costs a one-time fee of $24.99.
Blackboard App
The Blackboard App gives students seamless access to coursework through a mobile-friendly version of the popular learning management system used by many U.S. colleges. Whether for online classes or in-person courses with virtual components, you can view materials, complete assignments, take tests, check grades, and more. It’s also a valuable tool for degree planning and financial aid management.
Canva
Canva is a versatile graphic design app perfect for creating eye-catching flyers, posters, videos, logos, and presentations. Whether starting from scratch or using templates, it’s simple to produce polished designs. Canva even offers website design and publishing. While many features are free, premium content such as advanced templates and graphics is available through Canva Pro or Canva Teams, which cost over $100 annually.
However, students can access premium features at no cost through Canva for Education, including templates, images, and more.
Canvas Student
Canvas Student is similar to Blackboard, allowing you to access coursework, submit assignments, join group discussions, and track grades. Which app you’ll need depends on your college’s platform, but both serve as comprehensive tools for managing academic responsibilities.
Duolingo
Duolingo, the most popular free education app on the Apple App Store, is a fun and engaging way to learn a new language. With lessons in over 40 languages, it focuses on developing skills in speaking, reading, listening, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. While the free version is packed with features, the paid version removes ads and offers offline access to lessons. For students needing proof of English proficiency, Duolingo also provides a certified test accepted by some U.S. colleges.
Evernote
Evernote is a robust app for note-taking and task management that keeps all your work synced across devices. You can create to-do lists, save web pages, and even digitize physical documents using your device’s camera. While the free version is sufficient for many, premium plans unlock additional features starting at $10.83 per month or $129.99 per year.
Handshake
Handshake is a career networking app designed specifically for students, making it easier to find internships, jobs, and career opportunities. Unlike other platforms, all listed opportunities are tailored to students. The app provides personalized job recommendations based on your profile, which includes your education, skills, and interests.
You can apply directly through the app, communicate with employers, and connect with other students who’ve worked at companies you’re interested in. Handshake also helps you discover employer events, career fairs, and campus resources. With nearly 1 million companies on the platform including Fortune 500 firms and federal agencies it’s a must-have tool for launching your career.