Technology has grown to a point where it is no longer considered the distracting nuisance it once had a reputation for, especially at school. Nowadays, you have the power to control your finances, send messages, and do so much more in the palm of your hand. While almost anyone nowadays has a smartphone at school, ISO can help you learn how to maximize its potential to your advantage.
Your phone will be your primary resource in college to organize your thoughts, notes, and other ideas that you feel are important. Some types, like iPhones, will have preinstalled apps that specialize in certain tasks, like Pages, Keynote, and Numbers.
There are an endless list of things that you can do by just using the three apps mentioned above. These include:
- Keeping track of homework
- Club meeting reminders
- Include video, web URLs, and photos in your notes
- Voice notes if you have fast speaking lecturers
- Creating spreadsheets and slideshows
Information Alternative
Sometimes, you’ll receive assignments that require you to think outside of the box, like in cases of final projects or extra credit. When not being used as an organizational tool, your phone can provide outside learning opportunities through different apps and methods.
One of the most hands-free methods to increasing your knowledge with your phone is by downloading a podcast or e-book. A lot of media sources have introduced provoking thought-pieces that you can listen to while going to work or even before you go to bed at night.
As English is generally not the first language for those arriving here, your phone functions as both a dictionary and thesaurus, which can be much easier to access and interact with than the more traditional hardcover versions. Some translation apps have improved their services to allow photo capture text that you might not understand in one language and convert it to your native tongue.
Other apps, like Duolingo, use gamifying techniques to encourage language learning on their platforms, so don’t be afraid to look up apps or programs that cater to providing information in your preferred style.
If it is possible and allowed by your professor, you may even find your class textbook online through one of many free textbook resource sites – you’ll save your wallet (and your back) a lot of problems that way.
You’ll also see a lot of opportunities in college by just looking at your local bulletin board. Clubs and any future events will have their information posted for students to join, and with the rise of QR codes, you can get instant access to the event page with just the use of your camera. Make sure to look out for these codes on campus!
Time Management
Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines. College is filled with time-sensitive projects that you’ll be working on across multiple groups and classes. You’ll also have to balance your groupwork with your individual assignments, so here’s how your phone can help you cross the academic finish line on time.
Yes, your phone will always have a clock and alarm feature, but there are other ways to use time-reliant apps to your advantage. Before even doing your work for the day, you might want to plan out your schedule using apps like Google Calendar, which can be helpful in both team and individual settings to integrate your personal work with your overall schedule.
You can refer to this article for more information about other apps and programs that make scheduling and all other aspects of college life easier.
Feeling of Safety
At their most basic level, phones will be your primary way to contact others. Much communication is done on a casual level, but in some cases, you will need your phone as a guide to get you out of more unsure situations.
Your phone’s location services can always be used to your advantage, as they’ll give those close to you an opportunity to see where you are in real time. The “find my” app will give you pinpoint access to your friend’s whereabouts, so you can be assured of their safety.
Many smartphone users have made cooperative efforts to increase safety and awareness to events that others may deem dangerous through apps like Citizen. You are notified of user-generated reports of different situations in your area, so you can make the right preparations before encountering them.
Your phone also acts as your marketplace for comprehensive, affordable health insurance plans through ISO Student Health Insurance. Getting covered for unplanned sicknesses and injuries is a situation you want to use all resources to achieve, especially your phone.
