Guide to Choosing the Best To-Do List Apps for Students!

With all our new quarantine projects, chores at home, online classes, and catching up with friends over zoom. I always find myself writing down what I need to do before I start my day. Do you do that, too?

Through the years, I’ve tried many apps to help my phone-reliant self keep track of what I need to do. Here are some of my top recommendations that you can try for yourself. Hopefully, it’ll help your life feel a little more put together. Especially when school work starts piling up. Check out the list and find the right app for you! (Also, free up some space on your phone.)

Google Keep 

If you’re the type of student who is practically raised by Google, this app is perfect for you. That is, if you aren’t using it yet! Google Keep syncs your phone to your computer by linking your Google account. 

If you’re like me and want to hide your phone a bit while studying, having your to do list on your laptop is great for checking things off without the distraction of an incoming text or a social media notification waving at you. 

Another thing that I love about Google Keep is that you can keep multiple mini lists on the app and use color coding as necessary. For nonprofit work, I keep my list in purple while my school stuff is bright yellow. That way, you can easily get a sense of how much work needs to be done per commitment. 

MinimaList 

If you want the most straightforward to do list possible, go for MinimaList. It’s a free app that resembles a digitalized notepad with the cleanest interface you could ask for. We’re not even exaggerating. If you want things neat and simple, this is probably your best choice. 

One of the features of this app allows you to strike through finished items off of your list. Aside from easy tracking of your progress, you get the most satisfying feeling as the tasks disappear from your list. It’s as if they disappear from your worries as soon as they get marked as done! #facts

Apple Notes app 

Apple’s built-in Notes app should not be underestimated. With a clean interface and a to do list function, this commonly overlooked default app in Apple smartphones can do wonders if used well. 

Want to combine your to do list with photos? Done. Want to add a grid for assignments? That’s possible, too. Tbh, I use this app for quick reminders or things I need to note down mid-conversation. Because this app is available offline, you don’t have to worry about losing any important notes when you don’t have a WiFi connection. 

To do lists on this app can be as simple or as detailed as you want them to be. And that’s like getting the best of both worlds.

Apple Reminders app

Another built-in app on the list is the Apple’s Reminders app! Reminders is great for busy students who want to separate their tasks into sections (e.g. school, work, etc.). Just like Google Keep, you can sync your to do lists to your iCloud and not worry about having to only check one device for the list. Now you get to focus on what needs to be done without scrolling through your phone every ten minutes.

A fun quirk of the app is that you can set a reminder for when a task needs to be done. This is great for meeting deadlines or simply for those who don’t feel motivated to get things done. Either way, it’s a lifesaver!

These are only some of the many apps out there that can help you get your (school) life a lot more organized. What’s a perk of getting organized? Not missing deadlines, having enough time to prepare for crucial tests, and just that satisfaction of knowing what will happen when. Or at least, try! 

Share your thoughts and best practices on the comment sections below. We’re quite sure you’ve got tips we can learn from, too. And while you’re at it, check out more helpful articles like this on our Study Hacks blog section at Edukasyon.ph​ now!