Best apps for students

You have survived freshers, worked out where your lectures are and found a cheap pub or two, but now it's time to hand in your first assignment. These five apps won't write your essays for you, but they will make the whole process a little more enjoyable. 


Dropbox
What does it do?
Dropbox synchronises your files between devices. Begin your assignment in the library and drop the file into your Dropbox account. Download the mobile app and check it on the bus home. Get back to your laptop and open the same file from your Dropbox folder. 

Why is it good?
If you're anything like me your university account will be full of old assignments, journals and notes. With Dropbox all these are accessible from your home computer, providing you drop it into your account first.

Any drawbacks?
Dropbox's slogan is 'simplify your life', staying true to this mantra the app is a little featureless. There is no editing features or ability to preview documents from the website. 

Foursquare
What does it do? Time for a study break? Check In on Foursquare and see who else is in the library. Foursquare uses your phone's location data to suggest nearby places for you to Check In to. Each Check In rewards you with points and achievements. Check In a couple of times and you can become mayor of a location. 

Why is it good?
Foursquare Check Ins also have real world rewards. Check Ins can earn you money off at House of Fraser, Banana Republic, Carphone Warehouse and Pizza Hut. 

Any drawbacks?
Foursquare's default settings will bombard you and your Facebook friends with notifications so remember to change them before going on a Check In spree. 

Evernote
What does it do? Evernote is the perfect companion to a messy student. Everything from notes, web clips, audio snippets and business cards can be organised in Evernote. Take a photo of some class notes and Evernote will digitise them, allowing you to search for specific words later on. Very handy close to a deadline. 

Why is it good?
Evernote works across devices and syncs all your data to your online account. Its add-ons allow you to sync sketches, recipes and directions. All of which can be annotated later from any device. 

Any drawbacks?
Evernote has expanded quickly over the last few years, assimilating a host of other apps. As a result its interface is somewhat complex. 

Just Eat
 
What does it do?
With looming deadlines, early lectures and all-nighters, cooking is never a priority. Just Eat should be a staple app for all students. With Just Eat you can order takeaway online without having to call the restaurant. 

Why is it good?
Just Eat compares nearby restaurants and shows the highest rated. Just Eat digitises menus allowing you to compare dishes and pick bargains. Ordering through Just Eat is simpler than using the phone. 

Any drawbacks?
Ordering online can be a bit of a lucky dip. Without physically seeing the takeaway it can be hard to judge the quality. Android users will be disappointed as this app is online available on Apple products. 

The Trainline
 
What does it do?
So you have used all of these apps to make your assignment flow smoothly, now it's is time for some hard earned rest back home. The Trainline app is the simplest way to look up travel information from your mobile.

Why is it good?
The Trainline app remembers your journeys and preferences. It is easy to buy tickets within the app. The app even uses your location data to suggest the next train home. 

Any drawbacks?
The only way this little app could be improved would be if it incorporated Tube and bus times into its service.