5 Must-Have Apps You Haven’t Heard Of

We’re beginning to hit that point in the semester where time and money are running short.  Who are we kidding – your entire college experience is defined by a shortage of time and money.  Although you might think that your phone is the leading cause of these problems, you may very well be mistaken.

Here are five must-have apps you haven’t heard of that will redefine your college experience.  Oh, and did I mention that they’re free?

1. Genius Scan:  This application is exactly what it sounds like: a scanner in your pocket.  The Grizzly Labs designed this app in order to allow you to scan files and documents using the camera on your mobile device and converting it into a JPEG or multi-page PDF file.  Available in the App Store, Genius Scan helps save and share files on the go and free of charge.

2. Pocket Points: Ever gotten in trouble for texting in class?  How about having an exam interrupted by an obnoxious Rebecca Black ringtone?  This recently released app available both for iPhones and Androids encourages students to not use their phone in class.  Simply open the app, lock your phone, and begin receiving rewards from coupons to gift cards at nearby shops and restaurants.  It turns out that waiting to go online shopping until after class might actually steal you some deals.

 3. Easy Bib:  Let’s be honest – how many of you use online citation generators when it comes to putting your bibliography together for your paper.  Lucky for you, Imagine Easy Solutions has decided to expand this convenience from your computer to your iPad or iPhone.  This app autocites between MLA, APA, Chicago, Harvard, and over 7,000 other citation styles.  Plagiarize no more!

 4. Venmo:  Are you splitting utilities with your roommates?  Does your best friend still owe you for last night’s dinner?  Or last night’s beer?  Or last week’s toilet paper?  Venmo is the perfect app for paying and requesting payments instantly.  Send and transfer money to and from bank accounts overnight for free!

 5. RealCalc Scientific Calculator:  This app available for Androids does everything that your typical $90 store-bought calculator can do – for free.  With over 20 million downloads, it ranks as the most popular scientific calculator app.  From unit conversions to trig functions in degrees, radians, or grads – this app might be what brings you from a failing to a passing grade.