While it’s generally not a good idea to have your phone out in class, there are lots of ways to use it to your advantage when the school day is over. Check out these super useful smartphone apps just for you, students!

PRE-COLLEGE APPS

Juggling college and financial aid applications, scholarship essays and ACT flashcards all while trying to finish high school is tough, we know, but these mobile apps will lighten your load and guide you along to graduation.

1. ACTStudent for iPhone

Cost: FREE
Why it’s useful: While you can prepare for the ACT in other ways, nothing quite beats the convenience of pulling out your phone and studying while waiting for the school bus or during studyhall. Download the official ACT app to access your registration information and ACT test scores as well as take advantage of free practice questions that will help you strengthen your English skills, work your math muscles and ensure you’ll do your very best on the exam.
Also try: ACT Vocabulary ($0.99) for BlackBerry

2. SAT Question of the Day for iPhone
Cost: FREE
Why it’s useful: Don’t think you have to spend a lot of money to prepare for college entrance exams. Download the official College Board SAT prep app and enjoy a free question from the test every day from different categories of the test. Practice makes perfect; and did we mention it’s free practice? It might even save you the expense of a tutor or study book.
Also try: SAT Vocabulary (free) for Android or SAT Smart Cards ($0.99) for BlackBerry

3. YOUniversal for iPhone & Android
Cost: FREE
Why it’s useful: Not sure what state financial aid you’re eligible for? Find out with this app from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Answer the app’s questionnaire and find out which of the 20 scholarships you qualify for and how to apply for them – all in one place. Bonus: You can also check the status of any aid you’ve already applied for.
Also try: i-FinAid ($1.99) for iPhone

4. Peterson’s College Guide for iPhone
Cost: FREE
Why it’s useful: Trying to find a college that matches your academic, social and financial preferences? This app can do it for you. It can search by size, cost of tuition, athletics, available majors and more. If you’re planning to visit a few colleges in one trip, the app easily maps a route from one university to the next. And if you’re trying to find financial aid and tuition information, it can help with that too.
Also try: ACT College Search (free) for iPhone

5. CollegeMapp for iPhone
Cost: $4.99
Why it’s useful: Applying to multiple colleges? Stay on top of application and scholarship deadlines, and have useful resources like admissions information, college statistics and administrative contacts right at your fingertips wherever you go. Even if you’re just applying to a couple of institutions, you’re sure to be prepared for whatever the process throws at you.
Also try: College Confidential (free) for Android

APPS FOR COLLEGE

Picture it. You’ve graduated from high school and gotten into your dream college. But now you’re worried about studying for exams and keeping up with coursework. Don’t sweat it! These apps will help you stay on top of it all.

6. CliffNotes for iPhone
Cost: $2.99 per book
Why it’s useful: A must-have for those times you meant to do the required reading for your World Literature class but just couldn’t manage. While we don’t advocate skipping the full text, sometimes a CliffNotes version can help simplify complex literature. Save some trees by skipping the paper version and grab this app for condensed reading on the go.
Also try: SparkNotes ($0.99 per book) for iPhone

7. iTunes U for iPhone
Cost: FREE
Why it’s useful: Need supplemental information on a topic? How does accessing free educational resources from top universities around the world sound? Apple’s educational programming service allows you to download podcasts, lectures, e-books and more through the iTunes app on the iPhone or on your computer through iTunes. Harding University even offers some of its curriculum on the service.

8. Cram for iPhone
Cost: $3.99
Why it’s useful: Ever used flash cards to prepare for a big test? The digital kind work just as well and add the convenience of being able to study anywhere. With lots of options to help you do your best, including automatic card hiding once you’ve answered correctly, a flash card app is the perfect companion for those long nights of studying for Intro Biology.
Also try: StudyDroid (free) for Android or Flashcards ($1.99) for BlackBerry

9. iStudiez Pro for iPhone
Cost: $2.99
Why it’s useful: It manages your entire class schedule, keeps track of your assignments and reminds you about upcoming exams. It syncs with your contacts so you can make study dates with classmates or share assignments when you miss a class. And its alarm with push notifications will get you to Chem Lab on time no matter how late you stayed up the night before.
Also try: Grades: Student Organizer ($0.99) for Android or MyPocketProf (free) for iPhone or Android

10. University-specific apps
Cost: FREE
Why they’re useful: Universities are getting in on the smartphone app game too. With news feeds, athletics information, important announcements and sometimes even GPS-enabled campus maps, you can transition to college like a pro. Stay connected on your campus by checking out the University of Arkansas and University of Central Arkansas apps for iPhone, and Arkansas State University’s iASTATE app for iPhone and Android.