The 10 Best Time-Management Apps for College Students

Evernote | Remember the Milk | 2Do | Focus Booster | Focus Keeper | iStudiez Pro | Forest | myHomework | Coach.me | Any.do

Technology can sometimes be a distraction for students who need to get their work done. However, certain tech, like time-management apps, can help learners stay focused.

Students who need help staying on task can download free or inexpensive time-management apps to get organized and regain focus. The 10 apps below can help learners — especially those with jobs, children, and other commitments — use their time in more efficient ways.

1. Evernote

• Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows
• Monthly Cost: Free (Basic Plan), $7.99 per month (Personal Plan), $9.99 per month (Professional Plan), $14.99 per month per user (Team Plan)

With Evernote, students can organize their research, notes, schedules, and to-do lists in one place for convenient access. The app syncs across all devices and allows students to add notes to images, PDFs, audio files, and other media.

Within notes, students can create tasks and assign due dates, reminders, and flags that draw attention. Users can also delegate tasks to others and keep track of their progress. Evernote offers a 50% student discount for the Personal Plan.

2. Remember the Milk

• Availability: Android, Blackberry 10, iOS, Kindle Fire, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Web
• Cost: Free (Basic Plan), $39.99 per year (Pro Plan)

Remember the Milk enables users to prioritize tasks according to due date, importance, and other factors. Users can also tag, clone, and color-code items; attach files to tasks; and create subtasks for large projects.

The app integrates with many other programs, including Dropbox, Microsoft Outlook, Google Drive, and Evernote. Remember the Milk can sync across all of a user's devices. Nontraditional students might find the app especially helpful because they can delegate tasks to others, including members of their family.

3. 2Do

• Availability: Android, iOS, macOS
• Cost: Free (20-day trial), $49.99 (one user), $149.99 (up to five users)

2Do was designed to prioritize speed. Students have the freedom to keep track of simple entries or group certain tasks together for more complex workflows. 2Do also provides innovative and rapid sort, search, and filter features.

Quick Entry on the Mac version allows individuals to access their lists from anywhere. Users can sync 2Do on all devices using cloud-based services like Dropbox. 2Do offers a 20% student discount.

4. Focus Booster

• Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Web
• Cost: Free (Starter Plan), $4.99 per month or $54.89 per year (Professional Plan)

Focus Booster aims to help users maximize productivity. Notably, the app utilizes the Pomodoro Technique — a time-management methodology that relies on timed sessions to keep users focused on single tasks. Students can track the number of Pomodoro sessions they complete, which they can view through progress reports.

By keeping track of their progress, students can improve their productivity. Students with side businesses can also use Focus Booster to manage project portfolios and client lists.

5. Focus Keeper

• Availability: iOS, macOS
• Cost: $0.99 per month, $5.99 per year

Focus Keeper helps students stay focused on single tasks. Users can set a timer and enable background noises like falling rain or clock ticking to filter out distractions.

Students can display a timer counter at the bottom of their computer screen to help them keep track of their progress. They can also run reports to see how many timed sessions they completed successfully in recent weeks and months.

6. iStudiez Pro

• Availability: Android, iOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows
• Cost: $0.99 per week, $1.99 per month, $9.99 per year

Students eager to better manage their time might consider iStudiez Pro. The app integrates with your calendar, letting you schedule assignments and other tasks by date, course, and priority. Users can also enter details for each item and use color-coding for organization.

Additionally, students can use the app to track grades for each course and calculate their GPA. iStudiez Pro can sync across devices and includes widgets to view tasks at a glance.

7. Forest

• Availability: Android, Google Chrome, iOS
• Cost: $1.99 plus in-app purchases

Forest uses gamification to help students stay focused on their tasks. Users plant a virtual tree to designate a to-do item or assignment they want to work on. The longer they remain on a task, the more their tree grows. The tree starts dying when the user leaves the app.

Students can grow a forest if they stay focused on their to-do items. Forest might also appeal to students trying to balance work and family obligations in addition to their schooling. Forest partners with Trees for the Future to plant real trees in the world.

8. myHomework

• Availability: Android, Google Chrome, iOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Web
• Cost: Free (Basic), $4.99 per year (Premium)

With myHomework, students can improve their study habits and academic performance. The free version allows you to use widgets to track assignments and projects and set deadline reminders. The paid version enables students to attach files, use customizable themes, link to a calendar, and share their information with others.

Both versions of this app can sync across multiple devices so students can access their assignment and class information anywhere. There is also a school version of the app that institutions can offer students and teachers.

9. Coach.me

• Availability: Android, iOS, Web

• Cost: Free (Habit Tracker), $25 or more per week (Personal Coaching)

Coach.me incorporates behavioral design and psychology into goal setting and skill mastery. The app can help students monitor their progress and celebrate their milestones. Through Coach.me, users can get help from community members and ask questions.

The community-based nature of Coach.me adds accountability, and users can seek assistance when they hit an obstacle. While students can benefit from many of the features on Coach.me free of charge, they can also hire a personal coach for more intensive help.

10. Any.do

• Availability: Android, Google Chrome, Huawei, iOS, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Web
• Cost: Free (Basic); $5.99 per month, $26.94 per six months, or $35.88 per year (Premium)

Any.do is one of the best time-management apps for students who want to stay on top of their school, work, and personal obligations. This centralized app allows users to keep track of tasks, reminders, and to-do lists in one place. Any.do also enables learners to measure their progress on more complex projects.

Users can sync Any.do across devices. The app's Premium version offers customizable themes, recurring reminders, color-coding of tasks, and other advanced features.

Feature Image: Westend61 / Getty Images