Whatever it is, there’s an app for it.
Whether we like it or not, we spend a major chunk of our lives on our phones.
As students, we bounce around from one Google doc to another, from Blackboard to LinkedIn, just to end our days on TikTok, Instagram or any other time-thief. (If only blue light glasses actually worked as promised, we could avoid some major eye strain.)
If our phones insist on playing such an active part in our lives, why not make them carry some of the mental weight we’re usually slugging around in our day-to-day?
When it comes to your screen time, think quality, not quantity. The point is not to burden your phone with a pile of apps that all promise to supercharge your productivity. Be as selective as you need to, keep what resonates and toss what doesn’t.
As a fellow student (on a budget, naturally), I tested out the free features of some popular productivity and lifestyle apps.
Here is what worked.
Start your day with a bang
If you’re anything like me, your favourite part of the day is the lovely moment when your phone screams at you and rips you away from the arms of precious sleep.
I’m kidding, of course. Waking up is the worst.
And although these next apps won’t necessarily make it feel better, they will make it easier, making sure you actually get out of bed in time for that early-morning class.
Your typical alarm just blasts noise at you in hopes you wake up, but these (let’s just call them enhanced) alarm clock apps will keep you up by making you complete a mini mission instead of just letting you hit snooze.
Don’t worry, it’s nothing too strenuous. Complete a math problem, do a push-up, or dance it out. Isn’t that fun? Woo! 6 a.m., here I come!
Need extra encouragement? You can choose to type yourself a positive affirmation to start your day right.
Tough love!
If your heavy sleeping is costing you your responsibilities, try:
- Wayk
- Personal favourite: Alarmy! It includes the most free features, and they’re pretty solid.
Stop doomscrolling in its tracks
Is doomscrolling stealing the rare bits of free time you have? Maybe a two-minute scroll break (as a treat) turns into 30 minutes, which turns into “Huh? How long have I been here, and how do I get out?”
If opening Instagram is your instinctive reaction to any minute of boredom, you might benefit from a little social media detox. (You’re definitely not the only one.)
It might seem too small or simple to make a difference, but I found that being forced to pause after clicking an app made me stop and question: “Why am I opening Instagram? Do I really want to be scrolling right now?”
Most of the time, the answer was no. Blocking the flow of instant gratification was more effective than I thought.
If scrolling is actively causing your downfall, try:
- One Sec
- Opal
- Personal favourite: ScreenZen! Easy setup, highly customizable.
Stop memorizing your to-do lists
“I feel like I’m forgetting something.”
No matter who you are, I’m sure these words have left your mouth at some point, and maybe too often.
“Oh, well. It can’t be that important if I managed to forget it.”
And then you realize (a day too late) that another deadline passed you by, or your anniversary or your cat’s birthday.
You can’t expect yourself to remember everything. Think of your mind as a limited storage space. If it’s constantly overflowing with important deadlines, annoying tasks and the haunting memory of that one assignment you keep procrastinating, some things are bound to slip through the cracks.
There are dozens of time-management and to-do-list apps out there claiming to be the best or most efficient. But in my experience, the best apps aren’t the ones with the most elaborate features, those you try to figure out but quickly give up on.
If you’re a busy person, a simple productivity app with a smaller learning curve might be the best solution.
If your brain is always too full and fatigued, try:
- Notion
- Personal favourite: TickTick! This app carries my entire to-do list, down to the smallest of habits, like flossing my teeth. (The worst.)
Now, before we get to the star of the show…
Honourable mentions
- Transit: For those who want to avoid wrestling with unclear TTC schedules and stop missing their bus.
- Too Good to Go: Better for the planet, better for your wallet. Help reduce food waste and eat at discounted prices.
And finally…
There’s one app I’ve come to absolutely rely on a student. Drum roll, please…
MyIGNITE: Your key to connection
Think of MyIGNITE as your digital key for unlocking campus services.
You might not always know what you’re looking for, but MyIGNITE is here to show you your options. Signing up is easy, and once you do, you can:
- Join clubs (or start your own): We know you’re a student (and an academic weapon), but you’re so much more than that. Campus clubs provide you with a space to indulge in your passions and meet some like-minded folk!
- Check-in to Sleep Lounge or Zen Zone: Find a much-needed (and deserved) break, or fill that dreaded 3-hour gap between classes.
- Browse upcoming events: You deserve to have fun. Be open to new opportunities and hit that “Register” button!
- Keep up with important dates: MyIGNITE will never let a deadline pass you by. We’ll update you on club application deadlines, service opening dates, and more.
- Complete our monthly survey for a chance to win $1000: Your valuable feedback in exchange for a chance to win the grand prize! We’re rooting for you!
Ready to find on-campus connections at the click of a button? Download MyIGNITE today!
Hoping to delete some apps, instead? Try a digital declutter!
Feature image courtesy of Rodion Kutsaiev on Unsplash
