By Brighid Mahood
Between classes, assignments, work and having a social life, students have a lot to balance.
Time management isn’t easy, and as productivity expert Chris Bailey notes, it’s not just about getting good grades.
“Grades do matter – especially if you have scholarships or goals that depend on them – but studying isn’t all there is to post-secondary,” said Bailey. “It’s also a time to make deep friendships that’ll last a lifetime. Productivity helps you do both.”
The right tools – in this case, apps – can help. Here are five free apps to not only increase your productivity (in turn giving you good grades), but also give you more free time to spend with friends.
1. Notion
Available on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and through your browser
When it comes to organizing, Notion does it all. Notion is an AI tool for note-taking, calendars, to-do lists and much more, all in one workspace.
When it comes to staying organized, Bailey recommends apps that let you organize your tasks by project, though he warns against spending too much time on your system.
“If you’re spending more time organizing your system than actually doing the work, that’s a sign you need to simplify,” he says.
Thankfully, Notion’s free templates are easily customizable, and include assignment trackers and class organizers to help you stay on top of assignments, as well as grocery lists and reading logs to help you organize your personal life.
2. Flora
Available on iOS and Android
Flora takes a creative and rewarding approach to the Pomodoro Technique, a focus method that breaks any task into manageable 25-minute sessions with short rests in between.
On Flora, you plant virtual trees that grow with each time-on-task focus session. If you leave the app, it immediately prompts you to return before the tree dies, encouraging you to stay focused.
While Flora is free, you can add your credit card as an incentive to stay focused if you’re really struggling. If you leave the app or end the focus session, you’ll be charged. That money goes to Trees for the Future, a non-profit organization that plants trees around the world.
It may seem extreme, but for some, it can be worth trying as a last resort.
3. Google Calendar
Available on iOS, Android and through your browser
This one may seem obvious, but a big part of being productive is managing your time wisely.
Google Calendar can help you keep track of classes, assignments and your personal commitments all in one space. Having a separate calendar for each helps you to organize your schedule efficiently.
You can also colour-code each calendar to personalize it, which also makes it easier to differentiate between them.
One of Google Calendar’s most beneficial features is the reminders it sends leading up to meetings or events, ensuring you don’t miss important commitments or deadlines.
4. Milanote
Available on iOS, Android and through your browser
Milanote isn’t just any notetaking app. It’s a notetaking space that allows you to add images, text, attachments and more.
If you’re a visual learner, Milanote can be especially useful. The app works like a digital mind map, allowing you to organize visually. Rather than jumping between notes and your camera roll, Milanote lets you keep everything in one place, making it easier to stay organized and productive.
5. GoodNotes
Available on iOS and macOS
GoodNotes is a versatile note-taking app for those who want to type as well as take notes by hand. It’s particularly popular among medical students on social media.
You can also mark up PDFs, insert images and draw directly in your notes.
GoodNotes is great for annotating slides or other course materials, though it works well as a basic note-taking app too. Like Notion, GoodNotes offers plenty of free templates both in the app and online.
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