Back-to-School App Lineup
Well, MS2.5 ends for me in a couple of days, so I decided to prepare my phone for the coming academic year. This means weeding out the useless apps and clearing out the old files. Well, I thought I’d share the apps I’m definitely keeping (aside from the obvious default apps).
1) A Soft Murmur
For when I’m tired of the usual binaural tracks I have for studying. A recent addition I only downloaded last May, it gives a pretty calming ambient BGM you can customize to your preference. And it’s free!
2) Adobe Acrobat
I haven’t used any other PDF reader except this. It gives me the essential tools (highlighter, markup), which does its job. Apparently it does desktop syncing now, but I haven’t gotten around to trying it out. Should be quite useful if I can get it to work, though.
3) Akebi
For my Japanese dictionary needs. The interface is friendlier (for me) than Aedict and has a great system for looking up unknown words! It also has a list feature that allows you to save previously searched words for review and reference.
4) AnkiDroid
My go-to app for cramming and review. I am a die-hard fan that believes in the power of SRS. I use cloze deletion to recall phrase concepts discussed in class. In my free time (I wonder when…), I make cards of MCQs (cough, sample questions) and study them on the go.
5) BYFWM!
Short for ‘Burn Your Fat with Me! For Girls’ (otherwise known as Nenshou! For Girls), this is a moetivation exercise app. It makes use of the phone’s proximity sensor in counting your sit-ups. Now it has other exercise modes like squats and push-ups. It’s also been recently released in English (the translation bit I’m proud to have helped with).
6) CamScanner
Introduced to me by a classmate. This is extremely helpful for me in making the bootleg pictures of lecture slides more presentable. But the processes take time, so I take pictures first then edit them later, if necessary. Now I just use it as a keeper for important reference slides (like tables, formulas, flowcharts, etc).
7) Chikka
A free text-messaging app that uses the internet to send costless SMS to mobile phones. I often use this when my prepaid balance is no longer sufficient.
8) Clinical Sense
An amusing interactive visual novel(?) with multiple routes ideal for medical students and practitioners. It’s made by the same creators of the Prognosis series, which will appear later in the list.
9) Clockwork Tomato
I cannot stress how important this has been to me. It keeps track of the amount of time I spend on a task, using the Pomodoro method. This has had significant influence on preventing my burn out.
10) Clue
The only cycle tracker that does not come in pink! The interface is simplistic and easy to use!
11) Crossy Road
-cough- The only recreation app I’ll probably keep.
12) Easy Voice Recorder
I use this to record feedback sessions, some high-yield lectures, and my vain singing.
13) ES File Explorer
I like this because of the Encrypt feature, and it felt more responsive to me compared to ASTRO. Plus it has its own music player and image viewer.
14) Evernote
I have not been using this for a while as it’s been laggy recently and small screens aren’t the best for notes, but I do have a couple of important lists in this app which look more presentable than Keep.
15) Facebook
Because our class announcements are posted in our Facebook group. …among all other reasons. I personally don’t like posting things on my FB…aside from drawings and other nonverbal forms of expression.
16) Financius
It’s the best expense and income manager I’ve had so far. Been using this app the longest, and it only fails when I’m too lazy to update my expenses.
17) Fit
Google’s default fitness app. Well, it’s only good for counting my steps right now since I don’t have any fitness accessories (a Jawbone would be nice…), but I like how it graphs out my activities throughout the day.
18) Forest
Kind of like Clockwork Tomato, it’s a time management app. It looks really cute, so I kept it.
19) Godville
It’s a zero-person game, so I don’t need to play it frequently. I’m keeping it cause my hero’s at a pretty good level and age now. And the diary entries are amusing.
20) HabitRPG
My best friend for the longest. My only fault is that I sometimes fall asleep forgetting to check the task I accomplished.
21) Heart Sounds & Murmurs
A very helpful reference, especially during the Cardiology module.
22) Inbox
My go-to email app after they phased out GMail.
23) Instagram
For times when I wish I were on vacation. Vicarious living it is.
24) InstaMag
For when I want to post a single image instead of several. I like this collage maker cause it doesn’t watermark.
25) JLPT PRACTICE N1-N5
Just to test my proficiency though I have no intention of taking the JLPT any time soon.
26) JLPT Words
For Japanese reading and vocabulary practice.
27) Keep
My favorite app for keeping lists and jotting down quick reminders. I like how light and responsive it is compared to Evernote.
28) LayerPaint Zero
The lightest drawing/doodling application I’ve since encountered. It supports lots of layers, custom brushes, crop and select and mirror…basically a really, really beautiful and wonderful thing.
29) LINE Tools
I’m keeping this for the QR reader and other tools it comes with. But otherwise, I don’t use it much.
30) Medscape
For SGD and pimping reference. Plus it’s offline.
31) Merriam-Webster Dictionary
My dictionary app of choice.
32) Messenger
So I can chat with people on FB without disturbing my YouTube buffering.
33) My Boy!
For when I’m traveling and need something to amuse myself with.
34) Notes
My favorite “word processor”. Has a password-protect feature which keeps my writing from prying eyes. …not that I’m hiding anything.
35) Now for Reddit
Until someone recommends a better Reddit viewer app, I’m sticking with this.
36) OnExam
A med student’s OSCE wet dream. I think. It’s a very, very handy reference for performing physical exams.
37) Osmosis
I have yet to avail of the paid features, but it’s a very promising app which tackles vital topics in med school.
38) Perfect Ear 2
In preparation for chorale practices this November-December.
39) Perfect Piano
Same reason as above.
40) Pinterest
Cause the app is more convenient than online.
41) Pocket
For offline reading and bookmarking.
42) PokeInfo
In case I need to look up type matchups and Pokemon types on the go.
43) Popup Japanese Dictionary
Akebi is one useful tool, but this is very helpful for when I’m reading a Japanese article on Chrome and don’t want to switch screens as much.
44) Prognosis (and all its specialties apps)
No better learning than handling a patient’s case. This teaches me ideal diagnostic modalities and treatment plans, and discusses the DDx rationale. At 450+ cases, there’s a lot of diseases to explore!
45) Quick LabRef
A quick reference of normal lab values. Though, they tend to differ from the values we’re taught.
46) Randomizer
I keep this because my friends and I have a hard time deciding where to eat, among other things. A random draw seals the deal…most of the time.
47) REBUS
An ice breaker and is great for taking your mind off a droning lecture. But I’ve solved all the ones released for now, so it’s now only for reference.
48) RescueTime
I downloaded it based on a studyblr recommendation. Goes to show how careless I am with spending my time on my phone. Oh, well.
49) SharpMindMap
A free mind mapper I use for organizing concepts, sometimes. I prefer LucidChart on the desktop, but this app does a good enough job on mobile.
50) Skype
I don’t use it a lot, but it’s there for when family wants to cam and such.
51) Speedtest
For checking whether internet intends to be cooperative.
52) Translate
Has a couple of languages for translation offline. I find this handy.
53) True Color
A mind-twister good for waking me up in the morning.
54) Tumblr
What can I say?
55) Twitter
My favorite feature is the multiple account capability, so I can tweet using my personal account, my public account, and the college publication’s account, without having to log in and out.
56) WordPress
For updating my personal blog.
57) Youtube
For videos, obviously.
58) Tae Kim’s Japanese Grammar Guide
For a quick grammar reference.
…and there we have it! My interests are many and varied, which is why I’ve got a lot of apps listed. Now to start removing the useless apps…
