3 Mobile Applications that Will Boost Your ATAR

KIS Summary:

  • Forest App is a timer app meant to reduce screen time on your phone.
  • Todoist is a productivity app that helps you create and organise your to-do lists.
  • Anki Flashcards is an effective tool for active recall, which is an effective study method.

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There's no denying it; our society currently resides in a digital age where we're consumed by the technology that defines us. But it's not all bad! There are some really useful apps in existence, and we though we'd share with you some of the best ones that will help you focus and study better. These have been trialled and tested by many of the team members here at KIS Academics, and we can guarantee that if you use them correctly, they can help to increase your productivity and improve your study techniques.

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Disclaimer: we are not sponsored by these companies, nor are there incentives for us to be sharing them, other than the fact that we personally love using them.

Table of Content:


Forest App

Forest is a productivity app designed to help you stay focused and present. It's a timer app that helps to eliminate technological distractions by planting a virtual tree which can only grow if you successfully limit your phone interactions.

The app has social features which allow you to connect with friends so that you can have productive sessions together, credits that can enable you to plant a real tree in the world, and a myriad of stunningly designed plants in the virtual store. It is aesthetically pleasing, innovative and most importantly, effective in ensuring that you stay off your phone when you're studying.

Forest is available to download on both your mobile device and desktop. It is important to note that it is not free, but we can guarantee it will be the best $2.99 you invest in your productivity all year!

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Todoist App

Todoist is essentially just a to-do list, but better. The app has an accessible and comprehensive interface, which allows you to fully customise your to-do list.

This means you can use it to:

  • make separate lists for each of your subjects,
  • colour-code it according to priority,
  • add due dates and reminders and break down assignments to make them more accessible,
  • turn on notifications to ensure that you're getting reminded about important deadlines and due dates.

The best part is that the app is free to download for both mobile and desktop device!

Anki Flashcards

Anki is a cult favourite amongst medical students, and for good reason. It's THE go-to flashcard app, and can be used in a variety of ways to maximise your learning.

Flashcards are one of your best memorisation tools, and this app allows you to customise decks into your different subjects so that you can test yourself prior to your upcoming exams. Anki allows you to assess the difficulty of each flashcard upon completion, and will adjust its order accordingly, meaning that you'll be presented with difficult cards more frequently to help reinforce information.

The key to using flashcards is CONSISTENCY! Doing 30 mins of flashcards each day is better than just cramming it all the night before your exam.

Anki's interface is not the most accessible, but once you learn how to use it, the app is a game-changer. There are also plenty of tutorials online that you can refer to if you need help navigating the tool.

The ANKI app on desktop is free, which is more than enough for the majority of students. There is a mobile app available for download, however it's $39.99, so we'd personally recommend the desktop version.

Conclusion

These are just some of the useful apps that you can download to help yourself. But if you are struggling with the content being taught in school, perhaps a tutor might be of more help. Try a tutor from KIS Academics today!

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FAQs

What are some good note taking apps?

If you are taking notes on an tablet or studying on your laptop, there are a few note-taking apps you can try out:

  • Notion
  • Google Drive
  • One Notes
  • Notability (free version is limited)
  • GoodNotes (free version is limited)

What if I'm too distracted by my phone?

Find someone to keep you accountable. For instance, if you are studying at home, get your parent or sibling to hold your phone hostage for an hour or two. You can also form a study group with friends who have similar academic goals, and keep each other accountable by studying together.

Should I be taking notes digitally or on paper?

That is up to you! If you think making a physical list and writing notes down on paper helps you learn better, then do that! Always do what is best for you, not what is on trend.

I'm struggling in school, what do I do?

Talk to your friends, parents, teachers, and/or counsellors. Ensure that you have a support system to help you.

If it's about work, then make sure you're clarifying doubts and asking your teachers questions when you're stuck.

If it's a mental health crisis, ensure that your family and counsellor is aware. Do not take it too lightly; you health is always the utmost priority.


Want more personalised guidance to help support your child through their studies? Find a KIS Academics tutor today to support your child’s educational journey!