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We all know that technology can create a big distraction when studying. Phones, TVs, and tablets are full of ways to make you waste time and lose focus. But not all technology is bad when it comes to schoolwork. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to studying and there are some websites out there that can help keep you organized, motivated, and on- track to finishing your courses.
Check out the list below of the best apps and websites out there to help you maximize your study time.
One of the most important elements to studying is to manage your time. If you don’t keep yourself on a schedule or keep your tasks in order, you might end up spending more time trying to situate yourself than accomplishing anything. Here are some time management apps worth checking out!
Forest has a unique way to motivate your study sessions: when you start the Forest app, you plant a tree. As you continue to study or do homework, the tree grows. But if you stop studying and leave the app, your tree dies!
You can even "pay” Forest to plant real trees for you by earning focus money on the app. You’ll have to buy the app, but reviewers say it helps them avoid all the distractions on their phones so they focus on homework and studying.
Choose a task, set your timer for 25 minutes, and focus until the timer goes off. When it goes off, take a five-minute break, and then start your cycle again. This focus technique is actually a time management method called the Pomodoro Technique, and the Focus To-Do app helps combine to-do lists and a Pomodoro timer to help you get your work done. People who use the app love that you can set important reminders and break your big tasks (eg, “study for test”) into smaller sub-tasks like making flashcards or reading specific chapters.
If you want to use your phone or tablet but find yourself continually distracted by certain apps, Freedom.to is a great choice. You can use it to build custom lists of apps and websites to block on your phone, computer, or tablet. However, after the free trial, you’ll have to pay monthly or for an annual subscription.
Small, good habits add up to big wins over time, and if you’re somebody who loves tracking habits, you’ll love this app! You can create simple checklists and charts that allow you to check off each small win and track your progress over time.
Like Freedom.to, AppBlock helps you block distracting apps and websites so you can focus. AppBlock also allows you to specify which days and hours you want to block those apps and websites, so once you’re out of your designated study times, you can jump back on and catch up!
Our students love flashcards to help them break bad study habits. While you can definitely go the old-fashioned route and make them yourself, these websites and apps make it easy to make your own custom flashcards, quizzes, and exam prep material.
Chegg allows you to search a database of millions of flashcards in a variety of subjects. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, there’s an option to create your own!
Quizlet offers flashcards that function similarly to traditional paper flashcards, where you’re shown a card for a term which is then flipped over. You have the option of the card using an image, a word, or a combination of the two, helping you work best for your learning style.
StudyBuddy was designed by students for students. They offer help with homework, tutoring, and a directory of students studying and entering the same field as you, helping you make valuable connections.
Brainscape’s flashcards help you study and retain information by repeating harder content at specifically timed intervals in order to help you remember them better. The downside is that the app itself relies heavily on the internet, so if your connection isn’t the best, you won’t be able to utilize the app to the best of its capabilities.
Listening to music, nature sounds, or background music while you’re studying may help you focus better. Here are some great websites and apps that use music to help you study:
Brain.fm uses science - neuroscience, to be specific- to create music to help improve your focus in just 15 minutes. While most reviewers enjoy the music selections, their main complaint is that there are few, if any, updates of fresh content.
Spotify is a wonderful resource for all kinds of study and focus music playlists, including study playlists from members.
YouTube is filled with amazing playlists for studying. You can:
Not everyone likes to rely on a pen and paper for notetaking, especially if all your classwork and study materials are already online. Here are some sites to help you keep your notes in order and readily accessible:
My Study Life was created to make being a student less stressful by utilizing a cross-platform planner to organize your life. You can input your classes, homework assignments, exam dates, and other schedules to keep yourself organized and free from procrastination. It’s available as an app for your phone, but is also accessible on a computer, so you can work from whichever is easier for you.
Evernote is another app for notetaking, but what makes it different from other available apps is that it allows you to create tasks inside your notes. You can add due dates, reminders, and flags to make sure nothing is ever missed. The free plan allows you to sync up to two devices, but if you’re looking to add a third or more, you’ll have to upgrade to one of the paid plans.
If you’re not a fan of writing or typing out your notes, you can use a dictation tool like Dragon to record all your notes. Once recorded, you can upload them where they will then be translated into a typed document. With no set word limit, you can dictate as much as you need to for each note. The downside is that it’s a pricey app at $15 per month or $150 for a year.
If you use Google Docs to take notes, or you don’t like typing your notes, you’ll love Google Docs Voice Typing tool. You can find it under the Tools bar at the top of your page, and you can use it to record your own voice or a lecture.
Math is often a subject that people struggle with. With less room for interpretation, there are solid concepts and methods you have to use to come up with the correct solution. If you’re looking for some additional help with this subject, there are a few great sites available to help.
Wolfram Alpha uses AI to help you in many different math areas, from basic arithmetic to algebra, calculus, and statistics. You also can input a specific problem which will then be broken down and explained. The basic plan is free, with the Pro plan clocking in at $60 per year, or $5 per month, however, some reviewers find the Pro plan to be a little too buggy.
A more affordable option at $2.99 for the download is MyScript Calculator. It also allows you to input equations, but by hand! All you have to do is write the equation exactly as you would on paper. It’s great for basic math, but some people don’t find it as useful for algebraic equations or more advanced math subjects.
Mathway is part of the Chegg family. You can go directly onto the site - no download needed - and enter in your math equation. You can choose from a dropdown menu to select the subject area and a corresponding keypad will appear on screen. From there, you can have the site break down the steps taken to get to the correct answer.
Photomath takes a different approach to problem solving by allowing you to take a photo of the problem in front of you. From there, a solution is provided followed by step-by-step explanations. If you upgrade to a subscription plan (monthly or yearly), you’ll also get extra tips as well as visual aids.
If you struggle with English and grammar, don’t worry. There is help for everything from vocabulary to writing style.
Grammarly is a site that was created to review grammar, punctuation, spelling, and clarity. It also creates suggestions for any edits it makes. Cloud-based, Grammarly can be used as a browser extension, on desktop apps, as well as on a smartphone keyboard and is free to download.
Free for students, Vocabulary.com is a free online dictionary where you can look up the meaning of various words, their synonyms, and antonyms. They also offer vocabulary lists and test preparation if you’re looking to brush up and improve your language skills.
Like Vocabulary.com, Thesaurus.com and Dictionary.com allow you to search for any word or phrase you may be struggling with. They also have grammar and writing tips, grammar coaches, and writing prompts as well as games to help strengthen your vocabulary and writing skills.
Whether you choose free sites or upgrade to paid options, there’s plenty of online help available to help you with your studies, no matter what certification or degree you’re working towards. And don’t forget about the help you can find within Ashworth, too. The Learning Center features math and writing labs, a library, and career and guidance services to help make sure you have everything you need to successfully work through your programs.
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