By Teresa Acosta, Sept. 3, 2024
Navigating the start of a new college semester can be overwhelming. Finding your classrooms, connecting to the campus Wi-Fi network, figuring out where to eat and taking all those syllabi quizzes might be a lot, even for the most seasoned students. Smart phone applications can help solve at least a few of the issues you may face this semester.
There are about 2 million apps available to download from the top two app stores – Google Play and the Apple App Store – according to Statista.com. After looking over the data and asking students on campus, here are the most recommended apps to make college just a little bit easier this year:
Spotify – Music and Podcasts
4.85/5
Spotify is a music and podcast streaming app with millions of songs. There are multiple subscription options, including a free version.
If being interrupted in the middle of a lo-fi playlist during an intense study session is not your idea of a good time, then the Premium Student subscription is what you want. It is free for the first three months, then $5.99/month after that, and it includes Hulu (with ads).
The app lets you create, share and collaborate on playlists with your friends. The more feedback you give, such as liking songs or adding songs to your library, the better the curated music mixes will fit your tastes.
The app works on mobile phones, tablets, PlayStation, Chromecast, TV and wearable devices.
Canvas Student
4.7/5
Canvas Student is a free education app that is an extension of the web-based, learning-management system used at Cal Poly Pomona.
The app version allows students to view grades, submit assignments, send/receive messages, take quizzes, get push notifications and upload media.
Visual communication design student Kayla Chan uses the messages feature to stay in touch with professors.
“I would recommend Canvas,” said Chan. “Canvas is where all your homework is, and it tells me all the due dates. And it’s also a good way to communicate with your teachers.”
Duo Mobile
4.9/5
Duo Mobile, while not the most dynamic app on this list, is necessary to login on the computers at school. The free two-factor authentication service can also generate passcodes for login. One-tap authentication is available on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
Discord – Talk, Play, Hang Out
4.7/5
Discord is a free instant-messaging and VoIP social platform that allows users to communicate in multiple ways. Although it is designed for gaming, it can be used to organize groups based on class schedules. Group chat features include emojis, stickers, soundboard effects, voice, video and text communications.
Biology student Emily Orozco uses Discord to stay informed with classmates and check for updates with her team. Orozco also uses the voice call feature to talk about the progress of projects she works on with others.
Grubhub: Food Delivery
4.7/5
Grubhub is a meal-delivery service used by a dozen dining locations on the CPP campus. This service allows you to order ahead and skip the line. There is also an option to add your Bronco One Card to the app and view the balance of your Bronco Bucks and Meal Swipes. Restaurants on campus that use Grubhub include Innovation Brew Works, Panda Express, Subway, Fitbites Campus, Qdoba Mexican Eats, Saddle’s Cafe, Element Coffee and Food, Hibachi San, Coffee Bean @ Lollicup, The Patio, Carl’s Jr., Fresh Escape and ENV Café.
Outside of campus, the app has grocery delivery with a tracker and offers thousands of stores and restaurants to order from.
Feature image courtesy of Teresa Acosta
