iStudiez Pro, $2.99

I don't normally rant and rave about smartphone applications but I have stumbled upon one that is amazing for school purposes.  Juggling school, work, family, and a social can be difficult.  Before each quarter, I buy a new planner to keep track of all of my assignments, papers, tests, and other obligations.  I utilize this organization for a couple weeks, and then my planner gets buried under notes, papers, and tests, and I lose track of the progress.  A good friend of mine, who used to encounter the same problem, recently made me aware of an app she uses constantly: iStudiez Pro.

This application is available through iTunes, which means it is applicable on any Mac product, iPhones, iPads, or iPods.  You start with the "Planner" tab, which allows you to enter your semesters (or quarters), holidays or breaks, and instructors (full contact information).  You may then add courses to your semesters; you can even color-code each class!  From there, you can add assignments, tests, projects, and papers to each course.  Each task can then be viewed in the "Assignments" tab.

(One of my favorite parts about this app is that the "Assignments" tab is laid out as a checklist.  When you complete an item and check it off, it goes into the "Completed" tab.  You can go back through and see everything you've accomplished each term!)

By selecting a day, you can view any expected obligations.

Once the desired information is entered, the application system automatically organizes your "Calendar" tab.  Set up similarly to the Calender app on iPhones, iPads, and iPods, this tab lays out each month.  You can enter other information, such as work schedules, upcoming events, and birthdays.

When you have customized your iStudiez Pro, each time you open the app, you will be prompted with your "Today" tab.  Each expected task will be listed.  You can select any task to view the details.  However, when you have the fortunate day off, free of any plans or expectations you receive this motivational message:

Although this app is $2.99, I have found that it is well-worth the purchase.  There is also a "Lite" version that is free.  It keeps me in check, informs me of all my tasks, and offers a sense of gratification that I don't usually get from using an actual planner or agenda book.  Plus, I always have iStudiezPro with me!

Hayley Charron