By: The Strayer University Editorial Team

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Managing the demands of school, work and your personal life can feel like a high-wire act for adult students. To succeed, you need more than just a laptop and a syllabus – you need a digital toolkit that works as hard as you do.

The right study tools can help you balance work and school, streamline your study sessions and stay on top of deadlines.

Here are 10 productivity apps that can help you work smarter, not harder.

The products and systems described below are for reference only. Neither Strategic Education, Inc, Strayer University, nor any of their affiliates endorses the following products. There are many additional tools for you to explore.

1. Microsoft To Do: the ultimate checklist

Break massive projects into small steps, set reminders and create tasks list.

This academic organizer can help you track school, work and personal responsibilities in one place.

2. Todoist: streamlined deadlines and priorities

Todoist is perfect if you love a good to-do list but need more structure. This time management tool let’s you rank tasks by priority and category, so you know exactly what needs to be done now versus what can wait until later.

3. Microsoft OneNote: a digital binder

Think of OneNote as a high-tech version of a multi-subject notebook. You can create separate sections for every course, add research and lecture notes and drop in links.

4. Evernote: centralize and organize storage

From web clippings and PDFs to quick voice memos, Evernote can save everything in one spot. Plus, its search feature can find text even within images or handwritten notes, making it one of the most versatile apps for online students conducting deep research.

5. OneDrive: file access anywhere, anytime

There’s nothing worse than realizing your assignment is saved on your home computer when you’re on a break at work. OneDrive keeps your files in the cloud so you can access them from your phone, tablet or laptop.

6. Google Drive: collaboration made easy

Google Drive allows you and your classmates to work on the same document in real-time, eliminating the headache of emailing different versions of the same file back and forth. It also allows you to store, organize and access your work from all your devices.

7. Brainfuse: 24/7 on-demand academic tutoring

Whether you need help breaking down a complex math problem or want a second pair of eyes on an essay, Brainfuse connects you with expert tutors. The mobile app lets you submit questions, interact with live tutors, take class notes and even upload a paper for professional feedback. Brainfuse is available to Strayer students at no additional cost, but is not a requirement.

8. EBSCO Mobile App: a portable research library

Academic research doesn’t have to keep you chained to a desktop. The EBSCO mobile app gives you access to a vast collection of library databases, academic journals and eBooks right from your smartphone. Simply log in with your institutional credentials.

9. Forest: minimize mobile distractions

If you find yourself reaching for your phone when you should be studying, Forest can be an effective focus app. When you start a study session, you “plant” a digital tree that grows while the app is open. If you navigate away to check social media, your tree withers, giving you a visual incentive to stay in the zone. Forest is free with ads on Android, while the iOS version requires a one-time purchase.

10. Trello: visual project management

Trello uses boards, lists and cards to help organize projects and deadlines. It’s perfect for tracking the different phases of a long-term project – from researching to writing to final review – so you can see your progress at a glance.

Find the productivity apps that work for you

You don’t need to download all ten apps today. Whether you’re looking for ways to stay organized in college or simply need better study tools, start with one or two that fit your workflow.

Remember, while technology is a great assistant, your biggest support system is human. Strayer University is here to help you every step of the way with resources tailored to support your academic journey.