We often associate productivity in a business or in a workplace. This concept, however, is also vital in the university. Before we delve deeper into the topic, let's define productivity.

What is productivity?

Productivity is the measure of how efficient we are in what we do. It covers the relationship of your input, meaning, the efforts and resources you use to do something, and the output, which refers to the results of your efforts. For your productivity to be good, the output should be greater than the input. In other words, you have to get more work done with better quality, but less effort.

Fortunately, the digital world offers various tools to boost our productivity. Here are some productivity tools students can use to optimize their efforts and time. The best part is, these apps are free!

Google Calendar (Web application, iOS, Android):

Google calendar is a very useful app among employees. And there’s no excuse why students should not use it. Google calendar is a classic and easy-to-navigate app that allows you to organize your classes, events, meetings, and project deadlines. You can access it through your mobile phone or computer. Say goodbye to missed deadlines and hello to organized student life!

Evernote (Web application, iOS, Android):

Do you often forget things? Don’t worry, it’s normal, especially if you have a busy week. To deal with it, use Evernote. Evernote is a free app that allows you to capture a note or memo in different formats such as web clips, photos, audio files, or handwritten notes, among others. This app is useful in organizing, task management, and archiving things and information necessary in your life as a student.

Dictionary (Web, iOS, Android):

A dictionary is one of the most useful things you need to have with you in the course of your university life, and even beyond. It’s a good thing that dictionaries are now available as mobile applications, otherwise, you always have to carry a weighty tome. With a dictionary app, you can look up the meaning of words that you don’t understand. Using the dictionary expands your vocabulary and improves your communication skills. So what are you waiting for? Download the mobile version of the Oxford University Press' Oxford English Dictionary or the Merriam-Webster one!

WordHippo:

Say, you are writing your paper and you’re supposed to use the word “beautiful” but then you realized the word is too plain or it’s not the one that captures the essence of something you want to describe. WordHippo comes to the rescue! This app can help you avoid overused words by showing the synonyms of words. It gives you definitions like dictionaries do, but it’s more than that as it also gives you dozens of synonyms and even antonyms or the opposite words. WordHippo is both a dictionary and a thesaurus.

Lumosity (Web, iOS, Android):

As we grow older our brain’s cognitive functions decline. The great news is, we can prevent the brain from deteriorating. This can be done through mental stimulation. Mental stimulation improves the brain’s neuroplasticity or its ability to form and reorganize connections between brain cells in order to accomplish new tasks. This is where Lumosity comes in. This app contains games and tests to train one’s memory, attention, and cognitive skills. It also relieves students of boredom. It’s an app that can help you stay sharp without taking the fun away.

TED App:

You can supplement your learning by listening to educational and inspirational talks on a wide range of topics. The app also gives you access to the TED library even if you’re not online, making it perfect for on-the-go learning.

These apps can help you optimize learning and make you productive. However, you have to remember that productivity starts with you, not the app nor the process. There are various tools at your disposal, but the first and the most important thing is that you make a commitment to yourself to make your student life a productive one.

Have fun learning!