We depend on our phones for so much — to connect us to our friends and family, wake us up in the morning, research our life questions, and to look at cat videos. Why then shouldn’t we use our phones to help us manage our studying habits? Below is a list of 6 apps that will help you manage your life as an online student.

Evernote

We cannot discuss apps for students without mentioning Evernote. It is one of the most popular apps on the market. In the app, you can take notes, save articles, or webpages to help you keep track of your ideas. You can access the app on all of your devices, making it possible to access your information remotely.

MyLifeOrganized (MLO)

If you like to create lists, my life organized is perfect for you. With this app you can create simple and complicated lists — lists that break down subtasks for each larger task. You can organize your school life, personal endeavors, and more. It also tracks your progress through a percent complete bar to help you see visually what you still have to do.

TimeCamp

TimeCamp is a free time-tracking app. It is generally used in business, but you can use it for your school work to track how productive you are. It generates reports for you based on what you spend your time doing and it helps you manage your efficiency.

Focus At Will

If you love listening to music while you study, but your current playlist isn’t making it much easier, you can always use Focus At Will. According to their site, “Every track [in the app] has been remixed, re-edited and scientifically remastered specifically for focus enhancement.” The app stats also boast a 12-15% increase in focus.

Focus Booster

Focus Booster creates timesheets for you to use to track your time. It gives you periodic breaks at the exact time you need them, and keeps them short enough to keep you on task. It has a timer on hand so that you know how long until your next break.

Don’t Break The Chain!

If you’re motivated by visual representations of your progress, Don’t Break the Chain is for you. Every day that you complete your goal (doing your homework, taking tests on time, etc.) it puts a mark on your calendar. The app is simple to use and has very few complicated features, making it a quick and easy way to motivate you to do your school work.

Download your favorite YouAreAwesome cards and pass them along in chats/emails.

To download, just right click on each card and choose Save Image As. Then save to your computer. In a Google Hangout, you can click the image icon and then drag the image to insert it into your chat. You can also drag it into an email to share.

All throughout your life, you have been able to depend on your parents for everything. They tell you what to wear, what you’re going to eat, where you’re going, when it’s bed time, and more. However, once you move to college, you won’t have them to lean on anymore. Being out on your own is exhilarating yet terrifying — you have unlimited freedom, but you have to learn how to manage your life. To make the transition easier, learn these five skills before you move away from home.

How to Do Laundry

Once, a freshman boy, Kevin (names have been changed) was in a coin-operated laundry room with his roommate during finals week. His roommate, Brad, put in his laundry, quarters, and started the load. Kevin looked puzzled and asked “Aren’t you going to put soap in there?” Brad looked even more confused and said “Isn’t that what the quarters are for?” Turns out, Brad had been rinsing his clothes all year, never once adding soap to the washer.

To avoid being like Brad, learn how to do laundry the right way! Learn how to sort your laundry so you don’t end up with pink dress shirts or blouses that used to be white, as well as what clothes you should and shouldn’t put in the dryer so that you don’t shrink or ruin anything.

Money Management

You want to learn how to be in control of your finances, rather than the other way around. To avoid being the average broke college student, learn how to create a budget and keep it, how to save money rather than spend it, how to price match (especially textbooks,) and most importantly, self control.

Planning and Scheduling

Many college students, thrilled by their newfound freedom, stay up all night and sleep in all day. Unfortunately, if you do that too often, you might miss class and reduce your focus, consequently lowering your grades. You also need to prioritize your schoolwork, social life, work, and sleep. Learn how to plan and schedule yourself so that you can do more with your time.

How to Study

In college, your professors are not going to hold your hand letting you know exactly what will be on the test, or offer late work or do-overs. Take personal responsibility to learn how to study effectively, as well as how to take notes during lectures.

How to Cook

Before you go off to live on your own, you need to learn how to cook, even if your school offers a cafeteria (besides, eating at the cafeteria is the best way to gain the freshman 15). Learn how to make a meal plan, as well as how to shop for a recipe. You’ll be much healthier and save money while doing so.

You are at the beginning of the rest of your life, and anything is possible. The path you take after high school will help determine where you will be later in life. If you would like to become successful, start acting like you already are. Read on for 6 things that every successful person does.

Define Success

You will not be able to become successful if you do not create a clear goal. What would you like to achieve? Are you seeking for a dollar figure, a lifestyle, a specific “toy,” or something else? Once you have what you would like to achieve, create a “dream board” for yourself. Put pictures of the lifestyle you want on a board in a place that you will see every day.

Don’t Try to Appear Successful

Don’t let yourself get caught up in trying to appear successful to your peers or family (i.e. buying a car you can’t afford, wearing the latest trends, etc.). Most millionaires live modest lives, own a modest home, drive a sensible car, and save their money. Most people who “appear successful” are actually swimming in debt. The best way to become successful is to live within your means.

Practice Perseverance

Success is not easy, but it is important that you forget the word “quit.” You don’t truly fail until you quit trying. Some of the most successful people have persevered despite all odds. Turn failure into a learning experience rather than a reason to quit. To quote Thomas Edison “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Practice reframing your stumbling blocks and turning them into stepping stones, which will help you persevere.

Be Grateful

Gratitude is powerful — when you are grateful, you are happier, more optimistic, and better appreciate the things in your life. It can also help reduce negativity, improve relationships, and help with problem solving. Many successful people keep a gratitude journal where they write down all the things for which they are grateful. They also let people know that they are grateful for them.

Keep Learning

Successful people are curious, they are constantly reading and learning new things. Start now by taking advantage of your opportunity to get an education and by reading, even if it’s only ten minutes a day. Set a goal to learn one new thing every day; vocabulary words, how things work, a new concept, anything you like.

Make Your Own Luck

Some people wait for things to happen, and when success comes, they attribute it to luck. While there is something to be said about being in the right place at the right time, many have said that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. If you have an idea, cultivate it, don’t just let it sit on the shelf for the “perfect moment.” MAKE perfect moments. For example, if you have an idea for a book, a publisher won’t approach you and tell you that they want to publish it, you have to write the book and then find a publisher and make it happen.

Try these 6 things to act like you are already successful, and success will follow.

Taking the ACT or SAT is a stressful (and expensive) experience. The score that you get on that test determines which colleges will accept you, whether or not you can get scholarships, and more. If you are stressing out, fear not! There are many ways to study for these tests that will increase your score. Read on to learn how you can prepare this summer.

Set a Goal

Before you start studying, you should set a goal for yourself. Have you taken the test before and do you want to improve your score? Do you want to study a certain amount this summer? Or do you want to improve in a certain area, such as math or science? Make sure you set a goal that is measurable and attainable, or it may be difficult to reach it.

Use Test Prep

There are many online courses and even printed material, for free or for purchase, to help you study for the test. You should make a goal to tackle at least one practice question a day, every day during the summer. This will keep your brain sharp, and also help you prepare. If you would like, get a small group of friends together and study with them.

Take a Practice Test

Before you take the actual test, take a practice test so that you know what to expect. It will also help you know what to study before you take the actual test. You may need to build up your vocabulary, focus on math, or maybe you just need to learn how to relax on test day. In practicing for the test, you will also learn how to pace yourself. You can also memorize the instructions so that you don’t need to spend as much time reading them on test day.

Get a Private Tutor

If you would like a personal touch, a one-on-one tutor may be exactly what you need. They will help you discover exactly what you need to do in order to be prepared for the test. They will cater your lessons to your learning style and focus on what you need to learn.

Get Into Reading

Reading good books during the summer can help you keep your mind sharp and active. Pick classics like The Three Musketeers, anything by Jane Austen, 1984, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, etc. Reading boosts your brain, keeps you engaged, and will help with your vocabulary and reading comprehension during the test.

Summer is slowly coming to an end, and it’s time once again to prep for the upcoming school year. School starts on August 22, just a few weeks away. If you prepare now, that day will come much more gently than if you procrastinate. Read on to discover three ways that you can get ready for the upcoming school year now.

Set Goals

Sit down and set educational goals for yourself this school year. Think about what you want to do differently this year than you have in the past, and what you want to do to make this year better than ever. Instead of setting arbitrary goal such as “get good grades” set “SMART” goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Review your goal weekly and think about setting regular mini-goals to help you reach your annual educational goals.

Create a School Schedule

The benefit of online high school is that you can set your own schedule, but that also requires a certain level of responsibility. Take a look at the classes you will be taking and start creating a school schedule now. You may need to make some adjustments when you actually start your classes, but it will be helpful to go into the school year with a plan. Add important dates on a calendar so that you won’t forget them.

Start Reading

While the summer is a relaxing time, you may have relaxed just a bit too much. Before the school year starts, sharpen your mind so that you are ready to take on the mental demands of the school year. Ask your English teacher for a reading list and see if you can get your hands on any of the books to read ahead of time. If not, go to your local library and check out a few books that pique your interest.

Students at Mountain Heights Academy have the incredible opportunity to create their own school schedules. However, that can prove quite a challenge if you’ve never had to schedule your life before. We’re here to help you out. Below, we’ve made a list of a few ways that you can schedule your school schedule efficiently and effectively.

Use an App

If you have a cell phone, it makes sense to use a time management or scheduling app. There are countless apps that will help you design your school schedule, which can include task lists, notebooks, calendars, and more. Most of them will give you alerts a few hours or a few days before something is due, so that you don’t forget anything. Some apps are even smart enough to tell you the best times to schedule new appointments and chores. A few of the best apps are Evernote, Timeful, Any.do, and even Google Calendar, which every Mountain Heights student has built in to their learning platform. Find one that works for you.

Utilize a Planner

It may seem old fashioned, but using a paper planner is a great way to schedule your time, keep track of your homework, and make sure that you get all of your assignments done on time. Find one that fits your needs but also your personality. It may be useful to have a weekly and monthly planner built into one, so that you can look ahead at your weekly tasks, but also your monthly assignments. At the beginning of each quarter, decide when you are going to be working on which classes and block out the time in your planner. Every week, take a look at your assignments and write them into your schedule so that you can get them done. If you have any big projects coming up, work a few minutes or hours into your weekly schedule so that you have plenty of time to complete them. Be sure to schedule your most difficult subjects during the four hours of office hours that your teacher posts daily.

Whiteboard

If you’re more of a visual person, something similar to a large whiteboard will be helpful to show you everything that you need to get done in one central place. Organize the board by class and deadline. At the top, you can write large projects that have a longer deadline, and toward the bottom, write the smaller tasks that you need to complete immediately. When you finish with a project or assignment, erase it off the board. Update it as often as possible, but at least weekly.

A digital, or online school, like Mountain Heights Academy has its perks: incredible flexibility, one-on-one teacher support, and more, but it may not be for everyone. Take the quiz below and see if a digital education is a good fit for you.

For every question below, mark down a 2 for “Yes”, a 1 for “Maybe” and a 0 for “No.”

1. Do you like the traditional school setup?
2. Do you thrive on going to school from 7:30 to 2:30 every day?
3. Do you have a health problem that hinders your ability to attend school?
4. Do you have an unusual schedule due to work, acting, music, sports, etc.?
5. Do you have interest in a physical activity not offered at school (ie. dance, ice skating, skiing, etc.)
6. Do you want to graduate early?
7. Do you prefer working at your own pace, in your own space?
8. Does going to school every day make you anxious?
9. Have you had trouble with bullying?
10. Are you comfortable using a computer and would you be able to access and submit your coursework without any foreseeable problems?
11. Do you wish that you could meet with your teachers more frequently and have more individual attention?
12. Do you have the ability to set your own school schedule and follow through in order to be successful with your school work?

Now that you’ve finished the quiz, tally up your scores.

If your score is 1-5, traditional high school may be a better fit for you.

If your score is 6-11, have the ability to thrive in either a traditional setting or an online environment. You might be interested in a best of both worlds approach by taking half of your classes at your neighborhood school, and half of your classes online.

If your score is 12-17, a digital learning experience would be a good fit for you because an online environment may meet your needs much better.

If your score is 18-24, a digital school could be a great fit for you!

In today’s technologically savvy climate, we have not only the opportunity, but the responsibility to leverage technology’s promise to improve education. There are more learning tools available online now than ever before. This is especially true when it comes to writing papers. If you’re used to writing papers in a word processor and hitting “spell check” to check for errors, now is the time to check out the many free online tools designed specifically for composition. Here are some of the most popular online tools:

Google Docs

If you’ve ever completed a multi-page paper, only to have it permanently deleted from your hard drive because you forget to save it, then Google Docs is for you. With Google Docs, all of your papers are automatically saved and stored in the cloud, in Google Drive, in real time. So even if your power were to shut down or you were to suddenly lose your internet connection, your paper would remain intact. As a bonus, you can access your docs and edit them from any device, including your phone. You can even switch to offline mode when there is no internet access an update once you are connected again.

Essay Map

For students who need help organizing their thoughts before starting a paper, a free online tool like Essay Map can guide you through a step-by-step process of creating a strong thesis, forming main ideas, fleshing out supporting details, and designing a conclusion for your paper.

TitleCap

Can’t quite figure out which words to capitalize in your paper’s title? Instead of having to look up title capitalization rules in various style manuals, TitleCap lets you enter your working title and then immediately gives you the proper capitalization. You can select from various writing styles, including APA and others.

SlickWrite

Nothing can quite replace human eyes when it comes to proofreading, but SlickWrite does get fairly close. It goes beyond spell check by showing whether you’ve used too many adverbs or prepositions. It also highlights when you’re using passive voice, when a phrase is redundant, and more.

Readability Test Tool

Your paper might be grammatically correct, but how readable is it? You can paste or link to text using the online Readability Test Tool, and it will rank your writing according to five different readability scales.

EasyBib

EasyBib is a free online bibliography generator. You simply enter a link or search for a particular book or journal, and EasyBib will automatically gather the information needed to complete the citation. If it isn’t able to gather all of the required information, it will ask you for your input. After that, it will generate your citation according to the style you select. You can even ask EasyBib to keep an organized list for you as you generate multiple sources so your bibliography stays current as you write.

Many students and their parents think that you should only study music if you seem to have an innate gift for it, but the truth is, anyone and everyone can study music. In fact, studying music, regardless of your musical skill level, has a number of mental and psychological benefits to offer. Here are six reasons why everyone should study music.

It sharpens your memory.

Many young students gain their first experiences with memorization by practicing and performing musical pieces. Students hone their memorization skills and strengthen their muscle memory through musical practice.

It offers a creative outlet.

Those who study singing or playing an instrument often use their practice as a wholesome creative outlet for their emotions. The impact that music can have on our emotions is remarkable and might even play a role in relieving stress and anxiety.

It teaches discipline.

If you want to instill a strong sense of discipline in your child, providing your child a musical instrument is a great place to start. Learning to play a musical instrument is one of the most tangible ways you can learn the importance of discipline, as your musical skills will only progress if you are willing to practice.

It strengthens the mind overall.

If you’re looking to improve your overall performance in school, music study can help you get there. Studies have shown that those who study music perform better in a variety of subjects, including math, science, reading, and language. Students in music appreciation courses also tend to perform better on the SAT, earning an average of 63 points higher on the verbal section and 44 points higher on the math section.

It fosters teamwork.

Often students are taught music in a group environment, such as a choir, band, or orchestra, where they must work together to perform larger, more complex pieces of music. This is a great way for students to learn how to contribute their own talents while depending on other students to create something great.

It is available to novices or experts.

The study of music is much more than learning how to sing or play an instrument. In our middle school Music Connections course, for example, students explore how music affects culture, develop analytical and evaluative skills in music listening, and investigate the various purposes of music. In our high school Music Theory course students learn how to read music and hone their listening skills by learning how to recognize intervals and tonality. Beginners and advanced students can find a music course to fit their needs.

As you can see, studying music can have a significant impact on students and their ability to memorize, to increase creativity, to improve discipline, mental capacity, and their opportunity for collaboration. Music classes are available for students of all talent levels, too.