At its core, technology serves one goal: to help people by making otherwise time-consuming or laborious tasks easier. You see it in cutting-edge tech like machine learning, buzzy gadgets like self-driving cars, all the way down to the most basic forms of technology, like the calculator.
So why not capitalize on technology to get ahead in school? As long as you steer within the ethical boundaries and use technology responsibly, it can be a fantastic way to streamline your studies, organize your work, get ahead in classes, and elevate your focus. If you’re a student, consider the four approaches outlined below.
There’s an App for That: Leveraging Apps for Productivity, Organization and More
Students can leverage a slew of apps to up their game in class. Even better, most of these apps are free to use. A few categories and recommendations include:
- Organization and Planning Apps: Google Calendar, Todoist, and Trello each provide easy, intuitive platforms for organizing your agenda.
- Note-Taking Apps: OneNote, Evernote, and Notion are all comprehensive digital notebooks that make it easy to type, refer to, and flip between course notes.
- Productivity and Distraction-Blocking: Freedom and RescueTime will block time-sucking apps for set periods.
- Writing and Editing: Apps like Grammarly and Hemingway Editor offer grammatical suggestions for your papers, allowing you to learn new grammatical skills in the process.
Flexible, Self-Paced and Student-Focused: Switching to Online Learning
Next, consider online learning. The best online schools are way more than just digitized brick-and-mortar schools; they are cutting-edge infrastructures that feature self-paced, flexible courses supported by excellent teaching, multimedia materials, 24/7 tutoring access, and intuitive platforms.
With self-paced online courses, you can work at your own speed; you can finish courses quickly for a faster graduation or take your time to ensure you ace each project. It’s a personalized approach to learning that benefits most students. If you’re just starting your academic career, consider making a complete switch. And if you’re nearing the end of your schooling, take your last courses online to end strong.
The Best Note-Taking Tool You Aren’t Using: Generative AI
Generative AI gets a bad rep in some educational circles, which is understandable. Some students misuse the fledgling technology, having it cheat or plagiarize for them – which is never a good long-term strategy.
However, generative AI is excellent for note-taking – or, rather, note organizing. If you’ve manually taken real-time notes during a lecture or reading, chances are they come out disorganized. Punch your notes into a Generative AI tool like ChatGPT, and prompt the program to organize your notes based on one of the leading note-taking techniques: Cornell Notes, The outline method, mind mapping, The Zettelkasten Method, etc.
The Brain-Body Connection: Health and Wellness Tools for Clarity and Cognitive Improvement
Several studies demonstrate a clear link between good sleep, good nutrition, and ample exercise with heightened concentration, cognitive improvement, and overall mental health benefits.
As such, consider your education holistically. Leverage tech tools like smartwatches, and Oura rings to manage your sleep efficiency. Consider downloading nutritional apps to ensure that you meet your daily quota for macro- and micronutrients. And find online fitness programs with a bent toward mindfulness (online yoga courses, e.g.) to remain active and grounded. By looking out for your physical wellbeing, you can strengthen your chances of succeeding at school.
Whether you’re attending high school, summer school, university or college, use these four tech-forward strategies to get ahead.
