6 essential mobile apps for SLCC students
The stress of lectures, exams and homework will all become routine once again for thousands of Salt Lake Community College students.
With fall semester around the corner, new and seasoned students alike will return to the daily grind in hopes of maintaining a good GPA. To help in that process, The Globe has put together a list of apps that students can use to improve their academic experience.
1. Gmail for BruinMail
A student email is essential while attending college, and BruinMail keeps SLCC students on top of everything.
“I check my BruinMail every day because I get that little red bubble on my phone,” says physical therapy student Ana Heimuli. “I like to know where I’m at in a course.”
BruinMail is a Google-based service where all SLCC-related notifications are sent, including grades posted on Canvas, financial aid status updates on MyPage and other class announcements.
2. Canvas
Instead of opening a web browser to log in to a course, SLCC students can use the Canvas app to skip all the extras and get straight to the curriculum.
“For me this app is essential to have,” says marketing student Chelsea Thorby. “I can turn in last-minute discussions before going into work.”
Canvas features a shortcut to grades, inboxes and lets students participate in discussions and view online models.
3. Flashcards
Flashcards+ by Chegg is a free app that students can use to prepare for upcoming quizzes and tests. The app allows users to customize their cards to memorize words, dates and even formulas.
“I use it for vocab sometimes,” says communication major Felipe Lima. “When I read [and] there’s a word I don’t understand, you can time it you can play around [and] pick different words.”
Android users who prefer an alternative to Flashcards+ can try the Quizlet app.
4. Microsoft Lens
It’s nice for students to have an app for those times when they cannot read their instructor’s handwriting.
Microsoft Lens converts pictures into readable documents. All a user has to do is take a picture on their phone and Lens will scan the image and convert it into whatever format the user chooses.
Documents, business cards and white boards all can be converted and saved as documents that can be stored in the cloud.
5. Photomath
Photomath is like having a math tutor in your pocket. To use the app, a student takes a picture of a problem they can’t figure out, then Photomath will solve the problem step-by-step with the correct formula.
“This would’ve been useful when I was taking math,” said general education student Melisa Erler. “These type of apps would help students so much if they just used them.”
6. Microsoft Office 365
Current SLCC students receive a free subscription for Office 365. The software suite can be downloaded and installed on up to five devices.
Office 365 includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel and OneNote, a note taking program. This software is available online and is compatible with iPhone.
Bonus: Pokemon Go
Pokemon Go is the perfect social activity for students in between classes.
“Leave it to Pokemon to bring us out of our houses,” says student Kevin Manning. “I’ve met like three people just by walking around campus.”
Pokemon Go has swept the world with its interactive streets showing a user’s location and more than 200 Pokemon up for grabs. The app also uses a camera which lets players share their match on any social media platform.