For many students, grades from last semester were just released. If you are one of those students, there is a chance you are not proud of how you performed. You know you could have done better, but perhaps you struggle with productivity, keeping up with deadlines, and studying.

However, a new semester is beginning in January. This is the time for you to become more focused and productive, so this upcoming semester is better than the previous! Here are 5 of the best apps for you to use to maximize your academic success.

Flora

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Flora is a productivity and time management app. It utilizes the Pomodoro technique to help users focus during study sessions. The user can set the duration of their study and break times based on what they believe is best for their current project.

What sets Flora apart from other time management apps is the integration of a game within the focus sessions. If the user is able to complete a study session without exiting the app, then they grow a digital tree or plant. If they are unable to complete the session without exiting the app, then their plant dies. The game aspect helps users stay motivated to complete their tasks without the distraction of social media and other apps on their phones.

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AnkiApp Flashcards

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Anki is a flashcard app that uses spaced repetition, a technique that is scientifically proven to improve information retention while studying. The app adapts to what the user knows, making it more effective than traditional methods for memorization.

Anki includes thousands of pre-made flashcard decks across a variety of subjects that users can study from. If a flashcard deck is not already available, then the user can create their own custom flashcards.

Another benefit of Anki is that it allows images and audio to become embedded within the flashcards. Images are beneficial for visual learners, and the audio feature can be useful for people trying to learn a new language.

Notion

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Notion is a highly customizable all-in-one workspace for productivity. Students can create notes through Notion. These notes can include text, headings, lists, checkboxes, images, videos, files, tables, and more. The notes can also be organized into further sub-pages for structure.

Beyond the classroom, students can use Notion to organize their lives. To-do lists, task boards, and reminders can all be used to manage tasks, and calendars can also be created to manage important upcoming dates.

For those who do not believe they are creative enough to design their own pages, Notion offers many pre-made templates, ranging from free to paid.

Notability

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Notability is a note-taking and PDF annotation app that allows users to either handwrite or type their notes. On the iPad version of the app, Apple Pencils allow for a smoother handwriting experience. When users import PDFs, they can highlight, underline, add comments, draw, and write on the documents. These annotations help users to organize their thoughts, creating an easy way to study articles for school.

A popular feature for students to use is audio recording. This feature can be used to record lectures while you are taking notes, which allows users to review both the notes and audio. The audio syncs to the notes, playing them back at the same time as the user wrote or typed the notes.

These apps are all tools that can be used to help improve your academics. Nevertheless, you must put in the effort if you want to see results. Good luck to everyone this upcoming semester!