Use your phone for good with these productive study apps

It’s no secret that when it comes to studying, phones can be both your best friend and your worst enemy. With options for endless scrolling, messaging, and posting, it’s often challenging to balance the social aspects of your phone with productivity and concentration.

Luckily, your phone doesn’t have to always be a distraction. Thanks to modern technology, there are countless apps designed specifically to boost your productivity and help you achieve your academic goals.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through six productive study apps that can enhance your concentration and motivation while studying at university.

1. Evernote

Evernote is a non-traditional note-taking app that allows users to centrally organise all aspects of their life.  

In Evernote, users can attach photos, files, and to-do lists to their notes. This is particularly great for academic study as it means that you can insert photos of textbook pages or diagrams into a document already containing written notes.  

An advantage of Evernote is that you can sync your notes to your devices, meaning that you can study anywhere, at any time, with or without Wi-Fi connection.  

2. StudySmarter

If you’re looking for an app that meets all your study needs in one place, then StudySmarter will be right for you. This app enables users to create flashcards, quizzes and lecture notes, while also accessing study guides, study planners, reminders, and textbooks.  

3. Forest

Forest is a popular app designed to increase productivity and concentration while studying. This app allows users to plant a virtual tree when they need to stay focused. If you commit to completing your task without getting distracted and leaving the app, the tree grows. Alternatively, if you leave the app to do something else on your phone, the tree dies. Over time, with focus and commitment to study, users can grow a virtual forest of trees. 

The effects of Forest are not solely within the app. Forest partners with a tree-planting organisation, Trees for the Future, to increase forestation across the globe. So, if you’re looking for a way to hold yourself accountable when studying while also doing something positive for the environment, Forest is the perfect app for you. 

For students who are seeking additional guidance with their studies, the Academic Skills Centre is a free, one-on-one on-campus service designed to support students with their academic development. Students can seek assistance with assignments, study plans and tips, referencing, academic writing, maths, and more. 

4. Freedom

Another app that improves productivity and concentration is Freedom. This app allows users to lock their phone while studying and block certain apps and websites that might distract them. This can be pre-scheduled, or done on the spot, giving users the freedom and flexibility to set their own ‘concentration time’. 

Like Forest, Freedom is a strategic choice for those looking to study distraction-free for periods of time. If you want to prevent yourself from scrolling through TikTok or Instagram every time you lose motivation, Freedom will help you maintain focus.

5. Dragon Dictation

Dragon Dictation is a go-to app for when you need a break from typing or writing. By simply talking into your device’s microphone, Dragon Dictation will convert everything you say into digital text, which can be saved as a note, sent as an email, or copied and pasted into other apps. 

If you’ve left a lengthy essay until the night before, or you tire easily from typing, then Dragon Dictation will make studying or completing assignments immeasurably easier. Simply speak into the app and see the words come to life! 

6. Office Lens

Finally, Office Lens is a Microsoft app that enables users to take pictures of printed documents, whiteboards, newspapers, diagrams, and charts, and convert them into an editable, shareable piece of text. If you want to digitise and centralise your notes, this app lets you do just that. Simply snap a picture of the whiteboard in your classroom using Office Lens, and edit away! 

Remember, when it comes to studying, there is no magic trick to getting effortless high distinctions. All you can do is try your best and utilise the resources around you, such as your lecturers, tutors, the Academic Skills Centre, and, in some cases, your phone.  

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