Article by: Kandhalvi M. Asaali and Alexandra Isabelle G. Delavin
Graphics by: Albert Dylan David
Tick tock, the clock is ticking!
For many students, managing their time well to keep up with their academic tasks is one of the struggles brought by the online delivery of education. Though some Cardinals can balance their schedules well, others struggle with juggling all the workload. Luckily, productivity software aimed to aid in time-management are available nowadays – probably a bit too many to list down. To help narrow the choices, here are The New Builder’s top picks to help students start working with their time, not continue racing against it.
Notion
Notion is an all-in-one workspace where one can jot down notes, create reminders, organize plans, and manage schedules. Users have the option to customize pages in accordance with what they need and want to see. The application also offers ready-made templates for those who lack the time to create their own.
For beginners, a sample page is available to help them practice the tools on-hand such as blockquotes, table databases, to-do lists, and a number of third-party embeds. This application is also extremely accessible for multiple users as pages can be shared online and notes can be synced across different devices. With these features available, Mapúans will be able to utilize the application for a variety of purposes.
Currently, the program can be accessed via web browsers and the application is available for download in iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android devices.
Pomotodo
Pomotodo is another helpful application that integrates both the Pomodoro and the Getting Things Done (GTD) techniques. It comes with a to-do list and a Pomodoro timer that breaks one’s workload into 25-minute chunks (called Pomodoros), separated by short breaks.
Through this application, Cardinals can easily list everything that needs to be done within the day and categorize them according to priority. At the same time, pomodoro sessions and breaks in each task can be monitored by the user – allowing them to track their accomplishments over a certain period, thereby encouraging them to ramp up their productivity even more.
With the unique incorporation of the two different techniques, Pomotodo can help students stay focused on their tasks and remind them to take breaks from time to time. The program is currently available for download on iOS and Android devices, as well as macOS and Windows devices through web browser download.
Todoist
Dubbed as the 2020 Editor’s choice at Google Play and as the best to-do list app by The Verge, an American Technology News Website, Todoist has helped over a million active users up to date.
Similar to Pomotodo, it also features the GTD technique with its label tags and custom filters that allow users to focus on the most relevant tasks. Users can simply create a project container, differentiate assignments through color codes, and add custom filters to meet specific goals. In this way, all tasks have their respective tags depending on priority. Although packed with various options, Todoist has a light and straightforward interface that is easy to use.
This application is available on popular platforms, such as iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android.
Trello
Trello prides itself as an easy, free, and flexible project management tool trusted by millions worldwide. Thanks to its versatility, this software can help Cardinals delegate school-related tasks and plan personal activities.
This program provides students with easy-to-use and visually appealing features, as it employs the Kanban board system—a technique that turns tasks into cards for a more efficient display of the workflow. Users can organize these cards across the Trello board in neat columns or arrange them in free form like sticky notes on a whiteboard.
What makes Trello unique is its collaborative interface that allows users to collectively plan projects and conveniently distribute workloads. This feature enables Mapúans to work as a team for maximum productivity.
Trello can be accessed via any web browser while the application is available for download in iOS, Mac, Windows, and Android.
Forest
Forest offers a fun and easy method of planting good phone-usage habits and promoting productivity among its users.
The concept of Forest is simple: stay focused to plant a tree. This application prompts students to decide how long they wish to concentrate on their tasks, with a longer time period corresponding to a more robust plant. The duration and frequency of time away from one’s device will determine how fast one will nurture an entire forest. Inversely, the trees, in turn, will wither and die once the user opens their gadget while the timer is still running. Users can even plant and grow trees together—if one member of the group falters during a session, the corresponding tree will suffer.
Forest is only currently available on mobile for both iOS and Android devices.
With the anxiety caused by the current social climate and ongoing pandemic, maintaining one’s focus on learning has become even more arduous. Luckily, the above list covers some of the very best and most up-to-date time management apps that can help Cardinals with their productivity.
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