The best study apps for students

by Anita Naik

Study apps offer a range of benefits, including accessibility, organisation, and personalised learning. The right app can also help with revision, offering features like spaced repetition, flashcards and mind maps, which can help you review material to enhance your long-term retention. However, as with all things, balance is the key. Choose apps that align with your learning preferences and goals and use them to enhance your study routine for the best results.

Here's what to try.

Soundnote

This app is for you if you need help taking notes in lectures or have lecturers who present too fast. SoundNote is available for iOS devices to record audio while taking notes on the same device during lectures, meetings, or other events.

The app synchronises the notes with the recorded audio, allowing you to tap on a specific note and instantly jump to the corresponding part of the recording. This feature is particularly useful when looking for key information.

SoundNote also has a drawing tool for quick sketches. When you're done, share your text, drawings, and audio notes via email or transfer them directly to your Mac or PC. Audio notes are recorded in standard M4A format: One hour of high-quality audio is only 25MB.

Microsoft Lens available on iOS and Android

Microsoft Lens (formerly Office Lens) trims, enhances and makes pictures of whiteboards and documents readable. You can convert images to PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files, digitise printed or handwritten text, and save to OneNote, OneDrive, or your own device.

It's useful for students as you can scan handouts and handwritten notes and annotate them in Word and OneNote. You can also take a picture of the whiteboard or blackboard to reference later. The app can convert images into editable and shareable digital files, making it easier to organise and access notes.

REFme app

This reference management tool app is designed to help students with the citation and bibliography creation process. The app can automatically generate citations for various sources, including books, articles, and websites in citation styles such as APA, MLA, and Chicago. The app allows you to scan the barcode of a book and will then retrieve the necessary citation details and format them correctly.

The app is perfect for anyone new to academic writing and wants to learn proper citation practices, as the app serves as a learning resource and provides examples and guidance on correct citation formats.

Evernote app

This app is a valuable tool when studying, offering a range of features that can enhance organisation, note-taking, collaboration, and productivity. Firstly, the app allows you to take notes in various formats, including text, images, audio, and web clippings.

Secondly, you can create checklists and to-do lists within the app to stay organised and manage tasks. You can also collaborate with peers on group projects, sharing notes and allowing a range of students to contribute and edit content.

Mathway app

Mathway. It's one of the best apps for students who use maths in their degrees or A-levels. All you have to do is add a problem, and Mathway will solve it for you with a detailed step-by-step guide to finding the solution. The app is very useful when you're stuck on a specific problem and need immediate help.

It also covers various math topics, including algebra, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, etc, which makes it worthwhile at various levels of education.

Related Posts

Best note-taking strategies for students

5 ways to Study for Your Maths Degree

Productivity tips for students