Since so much technology is available, it’s important to know how to utilize it to your best advantage. As you know, your smart phone can be an incredibly useful tool to communicate with friends and family (and admittedly, a bit of a distraction if you’re trying to do homework). While your phone can provide lightning-fast communication, you should also be aware of the many tools your phone has. I have an iPhone, and there are a couple of apps that I use to save time as well as learn about new stuff.

Here they are:

• Any bus stop app. You might know the frustration of arriving at the bus stop and being unsure of when the next bus will come. If you have an appointment or something you have to arrive on time for, it can be pretty nerve-wracking waiting for public transportation. I always check my bus stop app whenever I have to leave school or work so I know when the next bus is expected to arrive.
• Wrapp. Wrapp connects to your Facebook account and gives you access to many different coupons and shopping deals. When there’s a coupon available for a particular store, you can check your Wrapp account and add it to your online “wallet” and present it in-stores to access the code. It’s a great way to save money.
• Dictionary App. I like to read in my spare time, and it isn’t always ideal to carry around a big pocket dictionary with me, so I keep a dictionary app on my phone. Many dictionary apps are free and don’t require an internet connection, so it’s perfect for when I’m on the bus and come across a word that I don’t know.
• Vocabology. In addition to my reading , I also like to learn new vocabulary words. The Vocabology app is $0.99 in the App Store and it provides about 10 new words and definitions a day. I have an alert set for mid-afternoon so my mind is constantly being refreshed with new words.

These are just a few of my favorite SmartPhone apps, but there are tons of other apps out there that you’ll likely find helpful.

-Jessica