In contemporary society, access to educational resources has never been easier. With the rise of online platforms, students have the ability to review lessons, practice problems, and learn new topics anytime they want.
While many people are familiar with learning apps such as Khan Academy or YouTube, there are still many underground apps that are transforming how students learn, such as a website called Anki. Anki is a flashcard app that uses a spaced-repetition system: instead of reviewing information randomly, Anki schedules flashcards based on how well a student can remember them. Using this method, it aims to improve long-term memory and is commonly used by students who want to cram large amounts of information, like vocabulary, science concepts, or historical facts.
“Anki helped me organize the information I need to remember for different classes. Instead of flipping through a textbook for hours, I can review flashcards and practice questions on my phone whenever I have free time. It just makes studying feel more flexible and easier,” said sophomore Kevin Xie.
Another tool students use is Notion. It is a digital workspace that allows students to organize notes, assignments, and study schedules all in one place. With this online calendar, students can schedule timeslots for how they can utilize their time in a study session. Students also have the ability to embed images, diagrams, and videos into their notes to create a more interactive study system.
“Before using Notion, my notes were scattered across different notebooks and apps. Now, I can connect everything in one workspace and quickly find what I need when I’m studying,” said sophomore Shaurya Sheth.
For quick explanations of difficult homework questions, students turn to Socratic. Acquired by Google in 2018, Socratic allows students to take a picture of a problem and receive explanations, videos, and step-by-step instructions to solve the problem. Instead of simply spitting out answers, the app provides resources that actually help students understand the concept behind the question to ensure consistency.
Another helpful platform is Quizlet, which allows students to create and share digital flashcards. Quizlet helps students to get access to millions of study sets created by other students around the world who also learned the same topic. The platform offers different study modes, including practice tests, matching games, and timed review activities that make studying more fun and interactive.
“Sometimes in class the lesson moves quickly, but with study apps I can go back and review the material at my own pace. If I don’t understand something the first time, I can rewatch explanations, take notes, and practice more problems until it makes sense,” said sophomore Cyrus Chow.
Whether reviewing flashcards late at night or watching concepts before a test, students today have learned to take education into their own hands. As digital tools continue to expand, self-study could be one of the most important ways students master new material.
