On typical college students' smart phones, there are application icons for Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep them entertained, but they may not realize there are many apps they can use to get ahead in the classroom.
Lynn AlJafan, a sophomore nursing major, uses an app to access the periodic table whenever she needs.
"It's like you click on it, and it explains each element of the table," AlJafan, 19, said.
Hana Kayali, a freshman biology major, uses Wolfram Alpha, which is $2.99 in the app store, to help her with her math work.
"You put in the problem and it solves it for you," Kayali, 18, said.
Wolfram Alpha can be used for a variety of mathematics fields from elementary math to algebra to discrete math. Although there's a price on the mobile application, Wolfram Alpha can be accessed online for free.
Quizlet can help students learn words a lot easier than reading through a dictionary. Not only English words are available on the app, Spanish words are also available and could be useful for students taking a Spanish course. This makes for an easier way to study for a test or quiz and eliminates the usage of paper. While using the app, audio is available through 18 languages and no Internet connection is needed to use the app.
InClass can help college students survive a brutal class schedule. It helps students keep track of their` courses when there's a test, quiz or assignment due. The app allows students to take notes with video, audio and photo. Whether you have an iPad, iPhone or Android, inClass does the job without the student having to buy any other school supplies.
Gadafi Ali, a computer engineering major, uses the Dropbox app, which is free, for all of his files.
"I use Dropbox, because I can access my files anywhere in the world," Ali said. "You can get it and expand 500 megabytes to 5 gigabytes of space and access your files. I still have 8 gigabytes of space unused."
Although some professors are opposed to electronics in the classroom, some professors are embracing the usefulness of apps.
Katie Lang, a psychology professor and graduate student, said she's comfortable with students using their laptops, tablets and smart phones to take notes. She recommends that students download calendar or agenda apps to keep track of assignments.
"Those apps will send you reminders of when things are due, when tests are and how far in advance they are," Lang said.
She also advises students to get the YouTube app on their phones so they can look up educational videos to help them understand the material.
"I do show a lot of YouTube videos, so if they have like a YouTube app or are able to go to look up different videos relating to class, that might be helpful," Lang said.
