9 apps to study, remember, and become a confident learner

Using apps to study better is a modern hack we could all master. We’re already on our phones and laptops for hours every day, making optimisation a tap or two away. Think of every challenge you’ve faced as a student — what if we told you there’s an app to help you solve it?

Start using apps to study better

Some apps help us become more productive. Others provide the tools and infrastructure to not only ease the study experience, but also make it more enjoyable. You can use these apps to study, plan, calculate, and collaborate, ultimately becoming a better learner who not just absorbs, but applies their learning to projects, exams, and everyday life. Check out these five apps to study — each has something unique to offer students of all ages.

We’re already on our phones and laptops for hours every day, so why not use our devices to optimise studying?

Flashcards and memorisation apps 

Anki 

Anki is your study hack for actually remembering stuff. It focuses on what you struggle with and builds on what you already know. You’ll be able to sync your decks everywhere with AnkiWeb, add audio, pictures, videos, and even science formulas. Customise cards, tweak review timing, and level up your brain without burning out totally. 

XMind 

Visualisation and teamwork go a long way in helping students remember and apply their learning. XMind helps you tap into the power of these with its mind-mapping and brainstorming software. It allows you to build trees, maps, and pitches quickly and easily — both individually and collaboratively. 

However, note that these functions are only available with a subscription — students pay US$3.42 monthly. It’s worth it, considering your entire team can use it to take revisions up a notch. 

Quizlet 

We retain information better when lessons are memorable and interactive. Of all the apps to study, this one allows you to tap into expert solutions in 64 subjects, a host of study tools (flashcards, anyone?) and more. The end goal? To empower learners to apply themselves. Quizlet says 90% of students who use its service report higher grades, which sounds like a great reason to give it a go. 

Organisation and note-taking apps 

Notion 

Notion can be your all-in-one student HQ. Notes, deadlines, group projects — everything lives in one place. Build dashboards, track assignments with calendars, and stay on top of your life without chaos. Perfect for organising school, boosting productivity, and actually feeling like you’ve got it together (even if you don’t).  

MyStudyLife 

An all-in-one organiser, this is one of the top apps to study with focus and direction. Log your class schedules, assignment progress, and daily tasks to keep track of what you need to do and when you need to do it. The app will sync across your devices, so you’ll always be reminded of incomplete tasks and upcoming classes — even when offline. 

MyScript Calculator 

MyScript has mastered the technology of applying handwriting to digital interfaces. Now you can treat your phone or tablet like a magical workbook; simply write your calculations and get the results automatically. All your calculations are saved, so you can even work on longer problems and export the calculation as an image once you’re done. 

Focus and productivity apps 

Forest 

Forest turns focus into a game. Need to study? Open the app, plant a tree, and watch it grow while you stay on task. Leave the app, and it dies (no pressure). Stay consistent, grow a whole forest, and even help plant real trees — the Forest team partners with a real-tree-planting organisation, Trees for the Future, to plant real trees on Earth. 

Freedom 

Freedom is an app you should most definitely have as a student. It will help you block out distractions, especially those on your devices — apps, websites, or even the whole internet. It will sync across devices, and locked mode keeps you committed and focused. That’s not all; you can even schedule and play ambient sounds.  

PS: This is a science-backed tool for high-impact work.   

Habitica 

Habitica, a free habit-building and productivity app, will turn your life into an epic RPG game. You’ll get to crush habits, check off to-dos, and level up your avatar with rewards such as armour, pets, magic skills, and quests. Also, you’ll get to team up with friends to fight monsters while staying on top of school or work.  

Exam Countdown Lite 

Exam anxiety is real, even when you’re sitting the papers remotely. This nifty app acts as your exam assistant. All you have to do is log your tests and exams and categorise them by icons and colour. 

You will then be able to count down to each paper using your personalised exam schedule. Users testify that it has helped them better organise revision and study for exams, thus preparing them to face exams confidently.