Seven Essential iPad Apps For Next Semester

May

2010

Robert Workman, iPadNewsDaily Contributor
01:14 AM ET

So you've promised mom and dad that the second semester of collegeÂ is when you finally make your mark. And that mark is going to be an A, right? A few A's actually. First of all, congratulations. Now, its only a month or so away and you're going to have to make sure to have the proper tools. Start with an iPad . Yes, an iPad can actually serve many purposes for your college experience, and we don't mean looking up your nearest liquor store or ordering pizza . It's actually got Apps that provide you with ... wait for it ... educational tools. So, without further ado, here are seven helpful iPad Apps that you'll want to get to move your education forward. Take the initiative and check 'em out!

"Note Taker HD for iPad" (Software Garden Inc., $4.99)

You know what we hate? Note pads. Think about it for a second. You're forced to flip through page after page seeking out the specific notes you wrote for certain classes, your hand cramps up the longer it holds onto your pencil or fountain pen, you run out of ink and, worst of all, one coffee spill and everything gets drenched. That's why we're more than pleased with the "Note Taker HD" app. With this handy program from Software Garden Inc., you can write notes as large as you want in one portion of the screen, then watch it shrink down handily into another, automatically filling in text without cramping up your hand. You can also get to pages much easier than a real pad, thanks to a sorting system that lets you track down what you wrote and saved. This is a must, no matter how sloppily you may write (You should see my chicken scratch).

"Jumbo Calculator" (Christopher Weems, free)

Whether you want to use it or not, at one point in your college experience, you're going to need to use a calculator. Whether you're struggling with accounting class or trying to figure out certain equations in calculus (we're graduated from college and STILL can't figure it out), you'll need to crunch some numbers. But why bother with some cheap, solar-powered Texas Instruments model when you can download Christopher Weems' uber-helpful "Jumbo Calculator" App? This one has it all. It supports both Portrait and Landscape, its big number pads are easy to use (no more hitting 4 instead of 7) and the number display is crystal clear. It also doesn't overstuff the button layout with those annoying "M" memory keys. When it comes to adding things up, this could be the best friend you ever have. Well, either that or a cute math tutor.

"ACT & SAT Vocabulary Builder HD" (Suvobi LLC, $4.99)

Let's say that English is your forte. Here you are, trying to piece together a creative writing project or putting together a thesis explaining why academics are so dynamic. And then, out of nowhere, boom! Writer's block hits you. Well, you're not alone. Something that's bound to help you along is "ACT & SAT Vocabulary Builder HD," which expands your dialogue with new words to replace old, overused ones. It assists you in expanding your vocabulary, optimizing your choices when something sounds too simple. That doesn't mean you're going to replace your English professor right away, but at least you won't shutter in fear when he or she wants you to define the word "astute". At an afforable $4.99, "Vocabulary Builder" is your first step to structuring a better sentence.

"iStudiez Pro" (Andriy Kachalo, $2.99)

One thing a lot of college students are guilty of is running late. Whether it's to a class or a homework assignment, there's always someone who falls behind and comes up with an excuse, like "I'll have it done next week" or something along those lines. Well, get yourself "iStudiez Pro" and put those days of running yourself ragged behind you. This is a very helpful program where you can schedule classes and homework assignments with ease. And should you forget something, you can also set up Notifications to remind you they're due, setting alarms and other sound samples to remind you that they're due. Best of all, should you forget your iPad (and, yes, we've seen that happen) you can also send it to your regular computer's email with the push of a button. Now hurry up and buy this before you're late again!

"Campus Books" (Campusbooks.com, free)

Formerly introduced as an iPhone application, we found "Campus Books" to work just as effectively on the iPad, so we heartily recommend it. This application enables you to do everything when it comes to college textbooks, save for reading them on your device. You can look up information on specific books by entering information, buy from users that have it available online, or sell it once you're done taking the class. While there are small details to fill out to get the most out of this App, it's very comprehensive, with thousands of book listings to choose from. You can also store selections for later shopping in a virtual Bookbag, in case you're a little short on cash. Why fumble your way through a local bookstore when "Campus Books" gets the work done so much easier? (Plus, you won't have to deal with some cranky old woman at the counter!)

"World Book: This Day In History" (Software MacKiev, free)

History is a subject studied in most colleges, if only to teach students where we've been and how it ties in with what's going on today. If you're low on historic skills, however, don't fret. "World Book: This Day In History" is a free, detailed compilation of events that happened throughout history for each day. For instance, as shown above, March 4th breaks down a number of events, backed by audio and video clips. While it may not be as thorough as other research Apps, it's a cinch to use, allowing you to look up certain days and happenings with very little strain. Considering how heavy some of those history books tend to get (especially in the 1700's and 1800's), we'll take that any day we can get it. Thumb your way through the "World Book" and enjoy some history.

"Free Translator for iPad" (Petr Homola, free)

Finally, as you make your way through your prosperous college career, you're bound to run into a language class or two. Or perhaps even six, if you're up for the challenge of being multi-lingual. That's where "Free Translator for iPad" proves useful. This App breaks down phrases and words into several languages, including Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish and Vietnamese. Simply select your target language, type what you need translated onto the screen, hit the Translate button and you're given the adapted phrase. Unfortunately, there's no option to have it pronounced out loud for you, so you might have trouble saying something like "Najiepszy." Regardless, this is a great free App.