Phones are probably one of the most used tools of the 21st century. Just a brief search in the App Store and you'll have hundreds of apps available to you. 

Being a Gen-Z kid, I've grown up using paper and pencil to write my notes. I used to flip through cookbooks when deciding what to make for dinner. And I liked to keep an old-fashioned leather-bound agenda to be on top of my to-do lists. 

But throughout my university life, I've found that I may not always have time to write my notes on paper. Looking through a cookbook and not finding a recipe that matches the ingredients in my fridge can be annoying. And I often leave my agenda empty most days because I usually don't have space in my bag to carry a leather-bound journal. 

There's a ton of apps that can come in handy and help you with your studies. Here are five must-have apps to download during university:

1. Revision Apps

This is a must, especially if you're a commuter—you could spend your one-hour commute revising. There are tons of revision apps to choose from that will aid you in your studies.

If you're a flashcard fanatic, check out Chegg Prep. It's an app that finds you flashcards related to your course material.

Quizlet is another great app to help you study, that also has pre-made cards related to your course content—it can come in handy if you ever find yourself cramming in last-minute notes before your exam. 

2. Planner Apps

An app that makes it easier to plan out your days can really help you keep on top of things. Not all planner apps are the same, so it may take a brief search to find the one that's most appealing to you.

Any.do is just one example of the many organizational apps available. It's a to-do list, calendar, reminder and agenda all in one. 

3. Cooking Apps

These apps can save you a ton of money. BigOven and Allrecipes are some of the most popular ones. Trust me, you can probably find a recipe using the items in your fridge with these apps.

Also consider downloading Flipp, it lets you see online flyers and allows you to price match and compare grocery items. 

4. Transit app

For a big commuter school, this is an important one. Although Google Maps has been the saviour for many of my trips, the Transit app has many more features that make it worth downloading.

It simplifies travel and is more reliable when your options for travel run out. Plus, it gives you departure times for nearby bus lines without even tapping your screen. Pretty sweet, right?

5. Instagram 

Instagram is a must if you want to be updated on events happening on campus. Most clubs and societies use Instagram and Facebook as their main form of communication, so make sure you go follow all the pages.

Instagram is the most effective since it pops up on your newsfeed faster. There are tons of events that happen during the school year that you won't want to miss.

Get the app and follow Ontario Tech clubs and societies to avoid missing out, including our new account for future Ridgebacks: @otfuturestudent.

If you're an old soul like me it may take a while to make the transition, but it will be worth it. These are just a few of the apps out there designed to make things easier.

I encourage you to take the time and seek out apps that can help you during your studies.

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