Ask a Nerd! “What kind of tech should I use to help me study?”

Ask a Nerd!

Q: What kind of technology should I use to help me study? There are way too many choices!

Brief: You are right that there are more apps and E-organizers out there than any of us can try so it’s important to start simple and see what works for you. Since school is just a few days away I recommend starting with the basics and building from there (READ: “10 Things to Do Prior to the Start of the School Year“).

Answer

The first thing that you need to do is find a simple, user-friendly app that will help you remember when all of your assignments are due (see our earlier article about back to school apps). Because you have been off of your normal school schedule, the first two weeks are essential when it comes to either staying ahead or falling behind – the best way to get the rust off and not fall behind is with the help of an Orange County private tutor.

Try an app like Keep Track Of Homework, which can send you reminders and where you can input the contact information of fellow students. It’s a good old fashioned daily planner for the techno age.

You can also replace all of those highlighters, pens, pencils and lined paper with the Notability app, which is essentially the compact electronic version of what I used back in the day.

Once you are entirely organized it’s time to think about academics. At the very least you will be working on math, English and US history. US history is taught in a way that requires the memorization of a multitude of dates. Try out the US History Timeline app (free) so that you can have all of the important dates at your fingertips. This one is pretty simple and should be used to jog your memory when you are studying for a test or figuring out cause and effect in historical events.

For math practice, I suggest getting the Desmos Calculator, which is way better than what I had when I was a high school student.

For English class you will want to be familiar with literary devices and grammar rules. Try out the Grammar Up app, so that when your teacher asks you what a “conditional” is, you will know the answer, or at least find it out really fast (READ: “5 Awesome SAT Apps“).

If this is your first year in high school, I suggest keeping it simple. You will have a lot going on this term and the last thing you need to worry about is how and when to study. Keep the technology simple to start out and then add the apps and other pertinent study tools when needed.On the other hand, if you are starting your first AP class (or classes) or if you are studying for the all important SAT exam (have you booked your private Irvine SAT tutor? If you’re taking it this fall, don’t wait too long), then organization is the ultimate key to your success. You no longer have time to worry about things like when your assignments are due or when your private tutor is coming (READ: “6 Awesome Apps for Back to School“).

Get yourself organized by the end of the first week of school at the very latest. 21st century education is asking much more of your time than it did of the previous generation but it is also handing you a myriad of super cool technological tools to help you get started and to keep going throughout the academic year.

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The beginning of a new school year is crucial for establishing a strong academic performance. In other words, if your child wants to reach his or her potential, they can’t fall behind from the start. Hiring an Orange County private tutor is much more than extra academic help, it’s a confidence boost. Have your child be the first to raise their hand in the classroom by hiring a college educated tutor from TutorNerds. Contact us today!