#student applications

[adelinestudiess]

Schedule

Hootsuite (Paid)

Timepage (Paid) only available on app store

Actions (Paid) only available on app store

Productive (Free & in app purchases) only available on app store

Google Calendar (Free)

MyStudyLife (Free)

Glass Planner (Free & in app purchases) only available on app store

Productivity

Todoist (Free & in app purchases)

Clear ($6.98) only available on app store

Notes/Memo (Default)

Forest ($2.98)

Tide (Free & in app purchases)

Focus keeper (Free)

Bear Focus Timer ($1.48)

Flipd (Free & in app purchases)

Habitica (Free & in app purchases) suggested by @reiafan

Scanner

Photoscan (Free)

Note taking

Paper 53 (Free) only available on app store

Notability ($14.98) only available on app store

Google Docs (Free)

Evernote (Free & in app purchases)

Microsoft OneNote (Free)

Goodnotes ($10.98) only available on app store

Quizlet (Free & in app purchases)

TinyCards (Free)

StudyBlue (Free & in app purchases)

Software to store all your files

Dropbox (Free & in app purchases)

Google Drive (Free & in app purchases)

Music

Spotify (Free & in app purchases)

Rain Rain (Free & in app purchases)

Education

Duolingo (Free & in app purchases)

Memrise (Free & in app purchases)

Khan Academy (Free)

Drops (Free & in app purchases)

K12 periodic table (Free)

References

Dictionary (Free & in app purchases)

Pleco (Free & in app purchases)

Photomath (Free)

Desmos (Free)

Wikipedia (Free)

Books

OverDrive (Free)

Libby (Free)

Wattpad (Free & in app purchases)

News and entertainment

The Washington Post (Free & in app purchases)

NYTimes (Free & in app purchases)

WSJ (Free & in app purchases)

Podcasts (Free)

Buzzfeed (Free)

TED (Free)

Flipboard (Free)

Skillshare (Paid)

Games

Elevate (Free & in app purchases)

Sleeping

Muji to Relax (Free)

Health 

Stop, Breathe & Think (Free & in app purchases)

Pacifica (Free)

Waterlogged (Free & in app purchases)

Sworkit (Free & in app purchases)

Mealboard ($5.98) only available on app store

Photos

Google photos (Free & in app purchases)

Vsco (Free & in app purchases)

Polarr (Free & in app purchases)

Finance

Venmo (Free)

Mint (Free) only available on US app store

Social

Patook (Free & in app purchases) suggested by @reiafan

[studentapplications]

Statement of Purpose

I like reading the student statements that people send in with their applications. Some courses or faculties require them, some don’t, but it never hurts to include one. Many of them are quite lovely. One recent student talked about their goal, which was to start up a small international business in… some sort of computer tech, I think. A difficult goal, but perfectly attainable for someone who is passionate and willing to put in the effort. Having some form of motivation also works wonders in getting yourself to actually study. In the other direction, I’ve also received a lot of less useful statements, such as "I have always known that I was the chosen one to study” and “i am interesting in animal behouver” (that second one was the entire statement). My personal favourite waxed poetic about how he wished to sit on the green hillsides of New Zealand and write odes to its beauty like William Wordsworth. Bonus points for an arts major, but I think he was applying for management. Helpful hints/what you could include:
Maybe what you have previously studied, and your thoughts on that study. What your relevant interests are. Why you want to study whatever you are applying for. Why you would be a good student if you were to be accepted. What you wish to do with what you learn after graduating. We tend to get anywhere between two sentences and two pages. Half a page is great. Maybe write one or two if you are feeling enthusiastic, or are going for a PhD or similar level study. If you are using a formatted letter for multiple universities (yes, we can tell when you’re doing that. It’s perfectly fine! No harm in it), make sure you copy and paste correctly. We still read them if they are obviously for a different university, but we will laugh. A lot. Especially you, Mr “I wish to apply for <NAME OF COURSE> at <NAME OF UNIVERSITY>".

[studentapplications]

Well, Friday was my last day working with the student applications. However, I am now going back to help with student visa renewals, which I was doing for a month last year. There weren't quite as many strange and unusual happenings, but I did still see things like an illegal car (classes as Not My Problem) and mysterious $15000 cash deposits from "my parents, honest". Who knows, there could be some things for me to post about.

[studentapplications]

Please

Check which box you are putting your details into. AKA: Stop entering your email address in as your legal name. I don't believe you.

[studentapplications]

We have how many?

Remember: if you include specific details in your statement of purpose, make sure they are for the right university. It is very nice of you to say that we have ten of the best science universities in the world, but... we only have eight universities total. Good try though. On the other hand, I find this amusing and so am kept in a reasonably good mood. Or perhaps that is just the coffee talking?

[studentapplications]

It's not always the students

I keep seeing applications coming through our systems for qualifications that don't technically exist yet, or aren't available any more. Who the dang diddly heck keeps putting those on the site for anyone to click on? It's not fair to the students and it's giving me an eye twitch. Remember: The System is not infallible. People keep rubbing their grubby little hands all over it.

[studentapplications]

The gentleman who uploaded a document titled "HUMAN_SOUL_1" returned today, informing us that we hadn't acknowledged his application and could we please accept him already. I checked. We had. Twice. Both times were us requesting more documents, which we can't process his application without. Nice try.