Top 5 Best Apps for College Students to Stay Organised and Productive

Woman on Phone - The five best apps for university students to improve productivity
Friday, February 28, 2025

Why Every Student Needs Productivity Apps
 

Balancing lectures, assignments, exams, and social life can be challenging. The right productivity apps can help students stay organised, improve focus, and manage their time effectively.

These highly rated apps will help you increase efficiency and stay ahead of deadlines.

Best for: Time management, note-taking, focus, and study productivity.

1. Notion – The Best All-in-One Study Organiser


Best for: Taking notes, managing tasks, and organising coursework.

Notion is a comprehensive, all-in-one workspace for students. It combines note-taking, task management, and project organisation, making it perfect for tracking assignments, deadlines, and study plans.

Key Features:

  • Create structured lecture notes and study guides
  • Set reminders for assignment deadlines
  • Collaborate on group projects seamlessly
  • Works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
     

Tip: Create a custom study planner in Notion with weekly goals to stay on track.

2. Todoist – The Best Task Manager for Students


Best for: Organising assignments, tasks, and deadlines.

Todoist helps students prioritise tasks, set reminders, and manage coursework efficiently. Whether you need to schedule exam dates or organise group projects, this app keeps everything structured.

Key Features:

  • Task prioritisation with deadlines
  • Set recurring reminders for coursework
  • Integrates with Google Calendar
  • Available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
     

Tip: Use colour-coded categories for different subjects to stay organised.

3. Forest – The Best Focus App for Studying


Best for: Avoiding distractions and improving concentration.

If social media interferes with your study time, Forest provides a practical solution. This app gamifies productivity by encouraging students to stay focused. When you begin a study session, you plant a virtual tree—but if you leave the app, the tree dies.

Key Features:

  • Uses the Pomodoro Technique for efficient studying
  • Reduces phone distractions
  • Tracks study progress over time
  • Available on iOS & Android
     

Tip: Use Forest for 50-minute deep work sessions followed by short breaks.

4. Grammarly – The Best Writing Assistant for University Students


Best for: Writing polished essays, assignments, and emails.

Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that checks for grammar, spelling, clarity, and plagiarism—ideal for academic writing and professional emails.

Key Features:

  • Instant grammar and spell check
  • Plagiarism detection for academic work
  • AI-powered writing style suggestions
  • Available on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and as a browser extension
     

Tip: Install the Grammarly Chrome extension to improve all your writing online.

5. Google Calendar – The Best Time Management App


Best for: Scheduling classes, exams, and study sessions.

Google Calendar is a must-have tool for time management. It helps students schedule coursework, set reminders, and manage their daily routines efficiently.

Key Features:

  • Syncs with emails for automatic reminders
  • Colour-code subjects for better organisation
  • Works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
     

Tip: Use Google Calendar to block study time and avoid last-minute cramming.

These top five apps for college and university students will help you stay organised, boost productivity, and improve time management. Whether you are a student at Griffith College or any other university in Ireland, these apps will enhance your study habits and set you up for academic success.

To learn more about Increasing focus, check out our #lifehacks video by Pat Divilly on our Youtube Channel below!