From One Student to Another: Helpful Apps for the College Student

In high school, I had a math teacher tell me that I wouldn’t always be able to carry a calculator in my pocket. Well, the joke’s on her. Not only do I have access to a calculator all the time, but I can also ask Siri to do the math for me. Agh, I hate math, but that’s beside the point. The point is, for now, technology is our friend.

The 21st century is driven by technology, and because of this, we have an enormous amount of power at our fingertips. Whether it be financial, psychological, environmental or educational, we are able to access it all just by tapping a screen. Therefore, I present to you five quality apps that will hopefully make your life a little easier. Lord knows we all need a little bit of help.

Cash App

“Cash App is super helpful because they send you a debit card, and family, or whoever, can send you money which you can then spend instantly with the card provided.”

Carrington Hawthorne – Senior

Basically, Cash App is a banking service where you don’t technically have to deal with a bank. The service comes with no monthly fees, no fees to send or receive money, no inactivity fees, and no foreign transaction fees. With this app, you can finally buy those super cool light saber chopsticks from China and not worry about being wrongfully charged for giving into your inner shopping demon. That is, if you know anyone nice enough to “Cash Tag” you money to spend. In the case that you do…help me! I’m just kidding – sort of, but not really. 

Stoic

If you are anything like me – a broke, tired and confused college student – then you would more than likely benefit from this Stoic. This app is considered a journaling app, but don’t let the sound of that sway you, because the app is more than just reading and writing as it’s focus is on understanding your feelings. Some of the guys who are reading this article, I’m sure, are probably rolling their eyes at how girly this app sounds. However, it’s really not girly at all. In fact, it’s more of a genderless, psychological approach to understanding the different factors influencing your mental and emotional state. Basically, it helps answer the question, “Why do I feel the way that I do?”. I don’t know about you, but the fact that I walk around in a confused daze half the time is reason enough to at least experiment with the app. 

Ecosia

Ecosia is a tech company that puts the ability to do good into the hands of internet users. The app is literally a search engine that plants trees! When you use Ecosia to browse the web, your searches are helping to plant trees and reverse the effects of climate change. That is insane! As college students, do you know how much paper you actually use? Or better yet, do you realize the effects paper usage has on the environment? The world?

Paper is made from the fibers of cellulose pulp derived from wood; wood comes from trees, and trees provide approximately 260 pounds of oxygen each year. As humans, we must have oxygen in order to survive. Not only are we killing the trees, but ultimately killing ourselves. Wow, yeah! I just said all of that…just to convince you that you should absolutely use this app.

TED Talks (Are ABSOLUTELY Rabbit Holes)

“Inspirational. Motivational. Educational.”

Amber Cordle – Senior

Do you need a unique and credible source to spice up your research paper? The TED app is an easy-to-use tool for browsing, downloading and viewing TED talks – short, powerful videos that feature expert leaders expounding on topics, like technology, entertainment, design and other disciplines in 18 minutes or less. I don’t know if you are any different, but my mind only works in increments of, like 20 minutes, if that. So, this app will definitely be going in the tool box.  

Chick-Fil-A

Yes. Yes. Yes. The fast-food restaurant blessed by God himself. Of course, I’m mentioning the app. I’m a Christian, and this is a Christ-centered campus – is it not? It is my duty to witness to others the perfection that is Chick-Fil-A. Therefore, I give you the best app of all time. Not only are we blessed with a local Chick-Fil-A, but with their app and the ability to gain points toward free food upon every visit. Did you catch that – free Chick-Fil-A food! That is absolutely something to geek about, because we all know you will end up at Mercer Mall at some point just to buy Chick-Fil-A’s nuggets, and this way, you will at least start earning points toward more free nuggets (or whatever heavenly food you enjoy from God’s favorite restaurant). So, go ahead and do yourself a favor – get the app!

I hope you enjoyed listening to my personal SID talk…hah, too “punny?”