The Best Apps for Studying

 

  

You may not be overly keen on your child's attachment to their smartphone, but what if we told you that, if used correctly, their phone could actually help their studies? 

We understand parents’ and teachers’ concerns around phones being a distraction, particularly during lesson time. By no means are we advocating Snapchatting friends in class, or scrolling through Instagram when they should be solving equations, but we do think that - when used correctly - tech and smartphones can be useful tools that can help (rather than hinder) their studies. Here are some apps that we think you should recommend to your child.

1. Listen on Audible 

When studying English Literature, many students find that listening to audiobooks in addition to reading the book aids their understanding much more than reading the text version. If this is your child, we suggest that they download their set text from a site like Audible, plug in their headphones, and listen whilst they are walking to school, on the bus, or cooking dinner. Recording oneself on a phone reciting important notes and listening back whilst travelling or walking is also found to be effective for some people. 

2. Make revision mind-maps and notes using Evernote

If they suddenly have a flash of inspiration for their next essay or a friend helpfully explains a physics experiment, they can type it all up as a digital note or branching mind-map on their phone. They could even make a voice note if they don’t have time to type.

3. Use a language app like DuoLingo to help with language exams and orals

Learning all the vocabulary can feel like the biggest problem when studying a language. Help make your child's life a little easier with specially designed language-learning apps- they’ll test them on custom vocab lists and introduce them to new words. 

4. The best revision resources with Save My Exams

Although not technically an app, when on the go, Save My Exams can be used on a mobile. Members get unlimited access to our extensive library of IB, GCSE, IGCSE, and A Level past papers, revision notes, questions, and topic tests written by teachers, examiners, and experts.  

It’s also been proven that you’re more likely to remember information if you break it down into manageable pieces, and review it regularly. We kept this in mind when creating our revision packs for CIE IGCSE Physics students, and Edexcel Chemistry GCSE students, meaning that all of our content - from the composition of air to the electromagnetic spectrum explanations are easily digestible, downloadable offline, easy to read on a phone, and suitable for short study blasts.

5. Download Offtime which limits your social media use

The app Offtime promises to restore focus and minimise distraction by preventing one from accessing their social media accounts during their ‘work’ sessions. Sometimes it can feel impossible to resist the urge to ‘check in’ on your virtual social life, but we all know deep down that Instagram is better for you when served in small doses. 

6. Follow Save My Exams on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

This last tip is a real must-do! The Save My Exams accounts will give your child a daily dose of revision motivation, helpful blog posts, new content updates, and the occasional competition. Don't miss out!

For even more suggestions, see Learning Ladders' best educational apps award winners