Summer is coming to an end. There, we said it. Now let’s move on. With just one more week until the first day of school, students (and their shopping-crazed parents) are running around town to pick up last-minute supplies before that first-period bell. By now, you should have your dorm necessities and your first day of school outfit checked off on your list, but how are you on the tech front? A Mac and an iPhone (or any other smartphone on the market) have become school staples, but with wearable tech becoming a favoured trend these days, an Apple Watch may be your answer to looking chic and organized on the first day of school.
While your parents may disagree that it’s an essential, we rounded up 11 reasons why an Apple Watch is a must-have. They may argue they never had a smartwatch to set reminders, to assist with their studying or to help them sleep better, but with these tech-savvy apps available for both your iPhone and Apple Watch, it’s going to make your school life a helluva lot less stressful. And who doesn’t want that?
And pssst! All these apps are free.
Don’t fall behind An Apple Watch is more that just a clock. You can also track your daily to-dos with ease. Although it doesn’t have its own Reminders app that syncs seamlessly with your Mac and iPhone, you can always ask Siri for help by saying “Siri, set a reminder to complete history assignment.” But if you’re more of an app kind of student, Wunderlist is a great task manager app that makes sure you get your things done on time.
Study smarter Every new school year we vow to be better students. With an Apple Watch, you can definitely stick to it. Case in point: the Be Focused app. Aside from managing your tasks and tracking them through a custom period, it is also designed to break up individual tasks and combine them with short breaks (a.k.a. snack time).
Get a good night’s sleep Some of your classmates may say sleep is for the weak, but getting enough ZZZs is SO important for your mental function. With the help of Apple Watch sensors, track and analyze your sleeping habits with the Sleep++ app. When you wake up, don’t forget to check out the sleep analysis in the Health app on your iPhone.
Practice relaxation Don’t forget to take time out of your day to relax. Thanks to Headspace, this app will help you relax with guided meditation lessons and mindfulness training in as few as two minutes. The best part? You can buddy up with a friend so you can motivate each other on your Headspace Journey.
Keep up with your workouts Scheduling a gym session during a busy school season may be near impossible, but luckily Apple Watch’s Activity app can help keep your fitness levels in check on a day-to-day basis. Whether you’re walking to class, taking a spin class or playing sports, this app provides a snapshot of your daily activity via colourful Stand, Move and Exercise rings telling you everything you need to know (read: get up off your butt and take a walk).
Up your groupie game Unfortunately, there is no selfie stick long enough to capture an entire party. With the Camera Remote app, you can. Use your Apple Watch to live preview your shot from your iPhone Camera and then tap it for the perfect group shot or #ootd.
Satisfy late-night cravings Late-night study sessions (or any time the cafeteria food doesn’t look so appetizing) tend to kick your cravings into high gear. Pick from your fave spots like Pizza Pizza or Domino’s and track its arrival.
Go out and explore If you’re feeling adventurous or are in need of a break, take a trip off campus. Find Near Me is not only a great app to locate the best eats in the city when you’re on the hunt for a culinary expedition, but it can also help you find the nearest ATM, bus station or beauty salon.
Head back home without a hitch Transit directions can be confusing, especially in a new city. Make your life easier by getting the Transit app, which not only lets you know when your next subway or bus is arriving (with real-time predictions), but can also guide you in real-time. Not taking public transit? Order an Uber if you’re in a rush or check in on-the-go if you’re flying out with Air Canada or West Jet.
Don’t get stuck in the rain Avoid surprises from Mother Nature with the Yahoo Weather app. In addition to animated icons for different weather conditions and beautiful photos that match your location and time of day, you will get notifications for Severe Weather Alerts.
Stay informed
Quartz – Your one-stop app for keeping up with what’s going on in the world. Open the app to receive news in text message formats with the use of emojis, gifs and haikus. If you want to read more about a topic, just click on the link to take you to the full story.
Get the FASHION newsletter
Sign up and never miss fashion and beauty news, product drops and trends. Plus, the occasional promotional message from our partners.