UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | March 29, 2024

Technology can enhance college life

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Apps can be used to enrich the college experience, and I’m not talking about Candy Crush.

Sure, applications on your mobile device like Pandora or Trivia Crack can be great stress-relievers, but there are many other free apps available to help students with their professional lives. 

Professors should also embrace the tech-takeover. Every student learns in a unique way, and implementing different types of technology might be the difference between grasping a concept or not. Some students might remember YouTube videos more than a simple lecture, or some might like PowerPoints and images. 

Apps and technology can help students be productive, finance-conscious or replace outdated norms.

 

Note-taking

There are so many functional note-taking apps out there that students prefer to use rather than the good, old-fashioned pen and paper method.

I’ve used MyScript Memo, and I’ve enjoyed it. It allows you to write with your finger in your own handwriting, and it converts it to digital text that you can email or import to other apps.

While this app is cool, it wasn’t more convenient nor did it save me more time. This app is best used on an iPad.

Another issue students might run into with note-taking apps on smartphones is that some teachers allow the use of notes on tests and quizzes, but not cellphones. Unless your instructor trusts you not to Google all your answers, you will probably be left in a panic.

 

GPA

If you’re somewhat of a nerd like me, you’ll appreciate this recommendation. 

Calculate My GPA is an app that allows students to customize a grade scale that can accurately calculate his or her GPA. The app can calculate an overall GPA as well as the GPA for that specific term. All the student has to do is input each course, how many credits he or she is signed up for, and the letter grade. The app will do the rest. 

According to the App Store, Calculate My GPA is rated at nearly five stars but only has 82 reviews.

Why a student would need to know his or her exact GPA on the go is a bit of a mystery, but it’s still a riveting idea. Have you tried to calculate your own GPA? Let’s be honest: ain’t nobody got time for that. 

There has been a time or two when I wanted to know my GPA before official grades were released. This app could be helpful for the nerdy student inside all of us. 


Finance

One of the highest-rated and most popular apps available for free is Mint.

Rated at nearly five stars in the app store, Mint is a personal finance tool. You don’t have to have a lot of dough in the bank account to use the app, either.

The individual connects his or her bank accounts to the app and it tracks spending by placing each transaction in a category. It also helps create a budget, receive bill reminders and offers a free credit check. It pulls any personal finance account you have into one place. No more worrying if your $8 subscription to Netflix will make you overdraft.

I use Mint, and the only part I don’t like about it is that all my guilty pleasure spending habits are laid out in front of me — like how my mom used to lecture me when I was 16 and I spent all of my paycheck on clothes. It’s sort of taunts you when you spend more than you should have at T.J. Maxx or frequent Yogurtland a little too often.

Technology has brought a whole new aspect to learning that generations before us never got to experience. While the kid in front of you who takes notes only with his tablet may be a bit distracting, there is definitely a plus side to implementing technology in the classroom.