During college, students need to manage many tasks, assignments, and obligations. It can get overwhelming. Many students want to make their school year easier, and to do that, they need to manage their schedule more effectively. If they want to do it digitally, a level of planning needs to take place before classes even start. Yes, BEFORE. Today I will be sharing college students' assignments and note-taking apps to help them be more productive with their time.
Keep in mind that each student must try the apps to see if they will truly work for them. To make any of these apps effective, the student must add their class information and meetings/clubs (if they know them) once they receive their semester schedule. This is where the planning comes into play. =)
Quick note: apps change fast; features, pricing, and even ownership can shift year to year. I've refreshed the links and details below, but always check the current app stores listing before committing to a paid plan.
Jump to:
Key Takeaways
- This article discusses helpful apps to help students manage their school year effectively.
- It features apps for tracking assignments and taking notes.
- Some recommended assignment tracking apps include Notion, Google Calendar, and Pocket Schedule Planner.
- Popular note-taking apps are Microsoft OneNote, GoodNotes, and Notability for different devices.
- The article emphasizes trying out apps to see which ones work best for individual students' needs.
Keeping Track of Assignments Apps
Three apps were interesting for time management and keeping track of assignments. (Note: These apps are NOT affiliates. I thought they looked interesting and organized for a student to use.)
Available on both Android and iOS
- Notion: Syncs seamlessly across mobile apps, desktop, and web browsers.
- Coursicle: Available on both mobile app stores and desktop browsers.
- My Study Life: Offers native mobile apps and a web dashboard.
- Google Calendar & Tasks: Fully integrated into both mobile ecosystems for free.
- Pocket Schedule Planner: Highly structured, visual academic organizer that consolidates classes, exams, and assignments into a unified, color-coded weekly timeline matrix.
Available Only on iOS
- DormWay: Currently available exclusively on iOS for iPhone and iPad users.
- Pocket Schedule Planner by Appxy - class schedule, homework planner, and school organizer with a week-view display and per-assignment reminders.
- The Homework App: This highly popular, color-coded student planner is designed and built exclusively for iOS
- Class Manager - My Homework App: Plan and organize your schedule, and add assignments, tests, etc.
Below is a table to help you compare the different apps.
| App | Platforms | Best For | Key (affiliate) Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notion | Android, iOS, Desktop, Web | Students who want one app for everything | Syncs seamlessly across mobile, desktop, and web browsers |
| Coursicle | Android, iOS, Desktop | Building and tracking a class schedule | Available on both mobile stores with desktop browser support |
| My Study Life | Android, iOS, Web | Cross-device planning | Native mobile apps plus a full web dashboard |
| Google Calendar & Tasks | Android, iOS | Students already living in Google's ecosystem | Fully integrated into both mobile ecosystems, free |
| Pocket Schedule Planner | Android, iOS | Visual, color-coded weekly planning | Consolidates classes, exams, and assignments into a unified weekly timeline matrix |
| DormWay | iOS only | iPhone/iPad users wanting a dorm-focused planner | Exclusive to iOS for iPhone and iPad |
| Pocket Schedule Planner (Appxy) | iOS only | Per-assignment reminders in a week view | Class schedule, homework planner, and school organizer with a week-view display |
| The Homework App | iOS only | Students who like color-coded organization | Highly popular, color-coded student planner built exclusively for iOS |
| Class Manager – My Homework App | iOS only | Basic schedule and assignment tracking | Plan and organize your schedule, and add assignments, tests, etc. |
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Note-Taking Apps Options
I love using my tablet with the keyboard while on the go, meeting with clients, or just waiting for one of my kids. It works great, especially if you have a mobile data line or a good WiFi connection. The apps below are for creating notebooks, tabs (affiliate), and pages, and they have a great search feature to find whatever notes you want. You can also add checkboxes to make list building easier.
Here are some of the note-taking apps I enjoy using:
All-in-One Command Centers (Best for Keyboard Users)
- Microsoft OneNote - one of my favorites. College Students like it too. Here's a video from Microsoft on how to use OneNote. The premier version is free and offers cross-platform options (I use mine on my iPad Pro and my Windows laptop).
- Notion: It serves as a central hub where class lectures, assignment trackers, and syllabi coexist. Students with a .edu email get the Plus plan completely free.
The Digital Notebooks (Best for iPad & Table Styluses)
- GoodNotes - I have used GoodNotes on my iPad Pro, and it works pretty well. There is a free version, and it is also downloadable for Windows. Great for STEM majors (math, chemistry, engineering) who must draw complex formulas and equations by hand.
- Notability: Best known for its audio-syncing capability. It records the professor's lectures while you write, letting you tap any handwritten word later to hear exactly what was being said at that moment. Cool, right?
| Category | App | Best For | Key (affiliate) Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-in-One Command Centers (Best for Keyboard Users) | Microsoft OneNote | Students who want notebooks, tabs (affiliate), and pages in one place | Cross-platform sync — works on iPad Pro and Windows laptop alike | Free (premier version) |
| Notion | Students who want lectures, trackers, and syllabi in one hub | Central hub for class content; .edu emails get Notion Plus free | Free with .edu email | |
| The Digital Notebooks (Best for iPad & Tablet Styluses) | GoodNotes | STEM majors handwriting formulas and equations | Handwriting-friendly; also downloadable for Windows | Free version available |
| Notability | Students who want to revisit lecture audio | Audio-syncing — tap any handwritten word to hear that moment in the lecture | Check site for current pricing |
These apps offer free smartphone apps for editing on the go or in class. Note: For each of these apps, you will need to set up a login account, and there is some setup required to configure it the way you want.
Tip: Set up your note-taking app on your computer and download it onto your smartphone or tablet. It's just faster that way.
For College Students using a PC or Mac
Not all students feel comfortable using their small tablet or smartphone to take notes digitally. I recommend a good-quality computer (affiliate) laptop with monitors no larger than 15 inches. It is pretty heavy to carry around.
If you can afford it, try getting a laptop that turns into a tablet. This makes it convenient, and it can be used as a monitor to watch videos, and you can use it with a writing tool to take advantage of write-to-text features in apps like OneNote.
Most lectures are now recorded for students, so you can revisit them after class. Be sure to have a laptop that has good-quality speakers and a microphone.
Visit my post about online course tips to stay productive.
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Additional Tips for laptop users
If the professor doesn't allow laptop note-taking in the classroom, type up the handwritten notes with a spiral notebook. Then when you return, transcribe them or dictate them to your laptop so you have the notes available digitally. This will help you add any additional notes you may have forgotten when initially writing and, hopefully, help you retain even more of the information.
For laptop students whose colleges don't offer free apps, I like the Microsoft Office Home and Student package for PCs (affiliate). We purchased it for both of our kids. While some teachers like to use Google Classroom, Google Docs, and Google Sheets, they don't always work properly, so having a backup way to write reports is a good idea.
FAQs Assignments and Notebook Apps for College Students
It depends on your platform and habits; iOS users have more options, such as Pocket Schedule Planner and The Homework App. Try a couple of free versions before committing to one.
Most offer a free version with optional paid upgrades for extra storage or features. OneNote has solid free tiers; GoodNotes offers a one-time purchase or a subscription, depending on the device.
Note-taking apps like OneNote and GoodNotes typically let you write offline and sync when you're back on Wi-Fi or cellular data. Assignment trackers usually work fine offline too since they're mostly local calendars.
Either works. Tablets are lighter and great for handwriting with a stylus; laptops are better if you type fast or need to write longer reports. Many students use both depending on the class.
Handwrite your notes during class, then type them up afterward. This gives you a second pass at the material, which often helps with retention.
I hope this helps your student get organized and have a successful college year. Please leave a comment below if there are any apps you have tried and recommend. I would love to hear from you.
Please note that these are affiliate links through Amazon (affiliate), and at no additional cost to you, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
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Julie Bestry says
Wowza, Sabrina! I did a whole series in recent years on note taking, and did mention student applications, but have never (yet) investigated all of the different homework apps. This is great material. (I still think you should compile and expand all of the things you've written for college students into a book you can sell on Amazon.)
Sabrina Quairoli says
Thanks, Julie. Great suggestion. I will think about it. =)
DIANE Quintana says
This a wonderful resource for college students or anyone taking higher level courses - even high school students involved in AP classes can benefit from this information.
Sabrina Quairoli says
That is true, Diane. It is especially helpful for high school students too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Daria says
I will definitely have my daughter read this post as she is headed to college in the fall. I like the tip about her setting up Evernote (which I love!) on her computer then downloading the app for her phone. I love to tell her stories about my life in college-we had to go to Kinkos to get a copy of our term papers!
Sabrina says
I hope it helps her, Daria. Their college experience will be so different than ours. When it comes to managing the tasks, they have it easy. Is that a good or bad thing, only time will tell. Thanks for stopping by.
Janet Barclay says
It's amazing how much technology has evolved even since my kids were in college (10+ years ago). I don't know if it makes things easier or more complicated!