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4 Apps / Websites for Academic SuccessAutumn Layton – Marketing Intern
As a college student there are many things put into place to help you succeed. In my opinion there are a lot of apps and websites that have helped myself and those around me make college easier. Aside from Canvas, which all students will use to view their classes, there are some additional apps to download and websites to use. Here are some that I would consider to be helpful for your college experience.
1. Rate my Professor
After a semester or two of college you will start to learn more about your learning style, which will allow you to pick a professor that teaches according to your preference. The professor is just as important as the class that you take. Some are heavy test takers and others rely more on assignments. The Rate my Professor website will give you a sense of what to expect from that particular professor. There are some students that leave very expressional comments, but if you see a common trend there’s some truth to it. All of the comments and ratings are anonymous, so no student feels the need to hold back. This app will make registering for classes more clear on what will be expected of you from that professor. At the end of each semester don’t forget to make your own comments about each professor you have taken. Whether the experience was good or bad, it’s in everyone’s best interest for you to share how you felt about the class. In order for it to remain helpful for students you should contribute to the ratings by expressing your opinion. This website helped me tremendously throughout my college career.
2. Handshake
In college there are plenty of events to attend and job opportunities. In order to see what your campus offers, Handshake promotes both opportunities to students. This app is very helpful when it comes to registering for events on campus and applying to jobs on and off campus. Handshakes is still useful after college as well. There are tons of internship / job opportunities that will look great on your resume. When uploading your resume and cover letter an academic advisor from your college will proofread it to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward. Although most campus events are sent through your school email, Handshake clearly gives you the information to explore each event with no hassle. I have applied to a lot of jobs and internships through the Handshake app. It’s the one stop shop for a college student looking for a job.
3. Linked In
This app is used mainly for job searching but it is best used for networking. Having a profile will help you connect with people near you and professionals all over the world. It’s basically a social media app for your academic achievements / events. When you attend an event on campus take a photo of yourself or the flyer to post on to your linked In page. It shows that you are involved on campus and interested in many different things. There will be many people from your school there expressing their opportunities and interests. Not only should you post but be active there as you would on Instagram. Follow people you know on campus and like, comment, and share their posts. Make it your goal to get on LinkedIn once a week to engage with others’ content. Post your job position, inspiration photos, events and watch the employers come to you.
4. EasyBib
Writing papers is a part of college no matter your major. During your general education courses you will have to write at least one paper. One of the biggest changes from high school papers to college papers is the formatting. You were probably used to writing in MLA format but now professors have different formatting preferences. There is ASA, APA, MLA, Chicago and more. They will specify which they prefer and you can use EasyBib to cite your sources for your reference page. Once you are complete with your paper you can also copy and paste it on the website to check grammatical errors and plagiarism. It is essential that your papers are proofread before you turn them in.