College students rely on their iPads for everything from taking notes to writing papers to collaborating on projects. But with so many apps available, it can be tough to know which ones are worth downloading. This article will help you choose the best iPad apps for your needs, taking into account your budget, preferences, and academic discipline.
Part 1.10 Best iPad Apps for College Students in 2023
#1. WPS Office
WPS Office is a word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and PDF reader software package. It is Microsoft Office compatible and may be used on a range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. WPS Office is a popular choice among college students since it is free to use for basic functionality and provides a wide range of student-friendly features, such as::
Features:
WPS Office's word processor is a comprehensive tool for producing and modifying documents.
Spreadsheet: WPS Office's spreadsheet is a valuable tool for producing and analyzing data.
Presentation: The presentation tool in WPS Office is a sophisticated tool for developing and presenting presentations.
The PDF editor in WPS Office is a comprehensive tool for viewing, editing, and producing PDF documents.
WPS Office integrates with the cloud, allowing you to access your work from anywhere.
WPS Office features mobile apps for both Android and iOS, allowing you to work on your documents while on the go
Pros:
Free access to essential office suite capabilities.
Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office files.
Affordably priced membership for enhanced PDF features.
A user-friendly UI with explicit troubleshooting help.
#2. Google Drive
Google Drive is a cloud storage service that allows users to upload and view files from anywhere. It is part of the Google Workspace suite of productivity tools, which also includes Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.
Feature:
File storage and sharing
Real-time collaboration
Offline access
Integration with other Google Workspace apps
Document scanning
Optical character recognition (OCR)
Pros:
Free for up to 15GB of storage
Easy to use
Wide range of features
Integration with other Google Workspace apps
Available on a variety of devices
Cons:
Limited storage space on the free plan
Can be slow at times, especially when uploading or downloading large files
Some features require a paid subscription
#3. Notion
Notion is an all-in-one workspace that can be used for taking notes, managing tasks, creating projects, and more. It is a popular choice for college students because it is versatile and customizable.
Feature:
Note-taking: Notion can be used to take notes in a variety of formats, including text, images, and audio.
Task management: Notion can be used to create and manage tasks, including due dates, priorities, and labels.
Project management: Notion can be used to create and manage projects, including milestones, deadlines, and team members.
Database creation: Notion can be used to create databases to store and organize information, such as contacts, products, or events.
Collaboration: Notion allows users to collaborate on pages and documents in real time.
Pros:
Versatile and customizable
Easy to use interface
Wide range of features
Collaboration tools
Free for personal use
Cons:
Can be slow at times, especially when working with large pages or databases
Some advanced features require a paid subscription
Learning curve for some users
#4. Grammarly
Grammarly is a grammar checker and plagiarism detector that can be used to improve the quality of your writing. It is popular among college students because it can help them to identify and correct grammar errors, improve their word choice, and make their writing more concise and engaging.
Feature:
Grammar checking
Plagiarism detection
Vocabulary enhancement
Writing style suggestions
Tone detection
Pros:
Accurate grammar checking
Easy to use
Wide range of features
Available on a variety of devices
Cons:
Free plan is limited
Paid subscription required for some features
Can be slow at times, especially when checking long documents
#5. Trello
Trello is a project management tool that uses a kanban board system to help teams organize and track their work. It is popular among college students because it is easy to use and can be used for a variety of tasks, such as managing group projects, tracking assignments, and planning events.
Feature
Kanban board system
Card creation and customization
Task assignment and due dates
Checklists and attachments
Labels and comments
Real-time collaboration
Pros
Easy to use
Flexible and customizable
Collaboration tools
Free for basic features
Cons
Can be overwhelming for new users
Limited reporting features
Some features require a paid subscription
#6. Forest
Forest is a productivity app that helps users to stay focused on their work by planting a tree every time they start a timer. If the user exits the app before the timer expires, the tree dies. Forest is popular among college students because it can help them to avoid distractions and stay on task.
Feature:
Planting trees
Setting timers
Daily and weekly progress reports
Whitelist for approved apps
Focus stats
Pros:
Easy to use
Gamifies productivity
Helps to reduce distractions
Available on a variety of devices
Cons:
Free plan is limited
Paid subscription required for some features
Can be difficult to stay focused if you are easily distracted
#7. Facebook
Facebook is a popular social media platform that can be useful for college students in a number of ways, such as staying connected with friends and family, sharing photos and updates, joining groups and communities, and learning about events and news.
Feature:
Connect with friends and family
Share photos, videos, and updates
Join groups and communities
Learn about events and news
Pros:
Easy to use
Free to join
Large user base
Wide range of features
Cons:
Privacy concerns
Can be addictive
Can be a platform for misinformation
#8. Screens VNC
Screens VNC is a remote desktop application that allows you to control your computer from anywhere in the world. It is popular among college students because it can be used to access their home computers from school, libraries, or other locations.
Feature:
Remote desktop control
File transfer
Screen sharing
Chat
Multiple monitor support
Secure encryption
Pros:
Easy to use
Reliable
Secure
Cross-platform support
Cons:
Can be slow over low-bandwidth connections
Paid subscription required for some features
#9. Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft Office 365 is a subscription-based service that provides access to the Microsoft Office suite of productivity applications, as well as cloud storage, collaboration tools, and security features. It is popular among college students because it offers a wide range of features that can help them to succeed in their studies.
Feature:
Microsoft Office applications
Cloud storage
Collaboration tools
Security features
Pros:
Comprehensive suite of productivity applications
Cloud storage and collaboration tools
Security features
Available on a variety of devices
Cons:
Subscription required
Can be expensive for students on a budget
#10. Canva
Canva is a free online design platform that allows users to create a variety of visual content, such as social media graphics, presentations, posters, and infographics. It is popular among college students because it is easy to use and offers a wide range of templates and design elements.
Feature:
Drag-and-drop editor
Templates and design elements
Text editing and formatting
Photo editing and effects
Collaboration tools
Publish to social media or download
Pros:
Easy to use
Wide range of templates and design elements
Free for basic features
Collaboration tools
Available on a variety of devices
Cons:
Some features require a paid subscription
Limited customization options
Can be slow at times, especially when working with large designs
Resonating Reminder:
Save money: Choose apps that won't empty your wallet.
Make life easier: Pick apps that work seamlessly with your current tools.
Listen to others: Read reviews and ask friends for app suggestions.
Get more done: Select apps that help you work better and stay focused.
Stay up to date: Use apps that regularly improve for a smoother experience.
Part 2. How can You Improve Your Productivity?
WPS Office is a free and powerful office suite that can help you to improve your productivity in a number of ways. Here is how:
Compatibility with Microsoft Office: WPS Office is compatible with Microsoft Office, so you can easily open and edit Microsoft Office files. This makes it easy to collaborate with others who use Microsoft Office.
Cloud storage: WPS Office offers cloud storage, so you can access your files from anywhere. This makes it easy to work on your documents on the go.
Collaboration tools: WPS Office includes collaboration tools that allow you to work on documents with others in real time. This makes it easy to collaborate on projects with classmates or colleagues.
Templates and themes: WPS Office includes a variety of templates and themes for documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. This can save you time and effort when creating new documents.
Learning resources: WPS Office includes learning resources (WPS Blog), such as tutorials and guides, that can help you to learn how to use the software. This is especially helpful for students who are new to WPS Office.
How to download WPS Office
Step 1 Go to the WPS Office website:
Step 2 Click on the Free Download button.
The WPS Office installer file will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 3 Once the WPS Office installer file has been downloaded, double-click on it to install WPS Office. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process.
Steps to edit Word/Excel/Powerpoint in WPS:
Step 1 Open WPS Office.
Step 2 Choose the application you want
Step 3 Click Open.
Step 4 Navigate to the Word/Excel/PowerPoint document that you want to edit and select it.
Click on the Open button.
Step 5 You can now start editing the document.
FAQs
1. Is iPad or iPad Air better for college students?
The iPad Air offers premium performance and is a top choice for students, lacking only the 120Hz ProMotion screen refresh rate found in the Pro models. It's highly recommended as the best iPad for students, delivering exceptional performance without the "Pro" price tag.
2. How to get a free iPad for college?
Some schools participate in programs like ConnectED, where Apple donates iPads to students as educational aids. If your school is part of such a program, you may qualify for a free iPad. While you might not get to keep it permanently, you can use it for schoolwork, and in some cases, even take it home temporarily.
Summary
In conclusion, when it comes to choosing the best iPad apps for college students in 2023, WPS Office stands out as a versatile and cost-effective solution. With its compatibility with Microsoft Office, cloud storage capabilities, and robust collaboration tools, it empowers students to work efficiently and seamlessly. The included templates and learning resources further enhance its usability, making it a valuable addition to any student's toolkit.
Remember, finding apps that align with your budget, current tools, and productivity goals is key. Reading reviews and seeking recommendations can also help you make informed choices. And as technology continually evolves, staying updated with apps that regularly improve ensures a smoother experience throughout your academic journey.
