A picture collage that has all of the apps that Gab uses for school.

Student lifestyle is always in a constant state of evolution. With the presence of technology, student life and study habits today are vastly different than what they once looked like.

In this blog post, I will be sharing how I use different iOS apps to help me in my everyday life as a graduate engineering student.

Note-Taking: GoodNotes

Ever since I started graduate school, I have been taking notes on my tablet. It may not feel the same way as writing on a sheet of paper, but the pros of writing notes digitally outweigh the cons.

I use an app called GoodNotes. It has a great document management system, and it automatically uploads your digital notebooks to the cloud. This means that you can access your notes on any of your devices.

The app is perfect for my engineering classes since I am able to easily draw graphs, figures, and schematics using the app’s different drawing tools. It can also search for keywords in your handwritten notes, which is a great feature especially when you are looking for specific lectures.

GoodNotes: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goodnotes-5/id1444383602

A picture of the note-taking app that Gab uses.

Cloud Storage: Google Drive, Files

Cloud storage is very useful for grad school. With an NYU Email account, we get our own Google Drive, which is perfect for storing class materials, papers, and homework.

Google Drive also makes it possible to share materials with peers. This is perfect for sharing files that are too big to send through email. You can also restrict access to documents, which is great in maintaining file security.

I also use iCloud and the Files app on iOS and sync my documents with a folder on my laptop. This makes me feel secure that I have everything I need in all my devices, and I can access them wherever and whenever I need to.

Google Drive:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-drive/id507874739

A picture of the Cloud Storage app (Google Drive) that Gab uses.

Documents: Docs, Sheets

The Google Docs and Sheets apps are amazing for creating documents and spreadsheets. It is especially helpful since I am in the Engineering school, and I make a lot of my calculations on spreadsheets. What’s great about the app is that I can access my documents on any device and web browser.

These are also great for group projects or collaborations since you can share access to the files with your peers. If you need to write a group paper, you can all access a single Google Docs word file and edit it with each other in real time. You can also set restrictions on who can edit or read the document.

Docs: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-docs-sync-edit-share/id842842640

Sheets: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-sheets/id842849113

A picture of two of the "document" programs that Gab uses. (Microsoft Word & Excel)

Commute: Google Maps, Transit

Public transportation is a major component of everyday life in New York City. With the massive NYC train and bus system, commuting from your apartment to campus can get a bit overwhelming.

Before I head to campus for my class or when I'm going back home, I always pull out my phone and check Google Maps to see the different transportation options I have. I also use an app called Transit, which allows me to track trains and buses that I want to take and see how far they are from where I am at the moment.

Google Maps: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-maps-transit-food/id585027354

Transit: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/transit-bus-subway-times/id498151501

A picture of two of the commuting apps that Gab uses. (Google Maps & Transit)

NYU: NYU Mobile, Safe NYU

NYU Mobile is the official mobile app designed to enhance the experience of New York University students. It is a great companion for navigating NYU and its wealth of resources available for students.

You can even track the (free!) NYU shuttles through the app. You can also browse and see various events happening throughout campus. This is especially great when the semester has just started and you’ll find all the events happening like the Club Fest.

Additionally, NYU values student safety a lot. We also have the Safe NYU app where you can find resources like emergency contacts and procedures, incident reporting, and NYU SafeRide.

NYU Mobile: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nyu-mobile/id485666459

Safe NYU: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/safe-nyu/id1267407538

A picture that has all of the main components of the NYU Safe App.

In Conclusion: 

There is a vast selection of apps out there and those I mentioned are just a few of the ones I think would greatly improve the life of graduate students. These apps may or may not work for you, but I hope I have given you an idea of how you can use technology to aid you in your day-to-day life as an NYU student.