Appetite for more

Here are some more apps for you to explore. This week’s online and mobile resources are related to reading, research and referencing, and to taking care of yourself.

Try out some of these  apps to see if any of them are relevant and useful to you. Some are easier to use than others. They’re free unless indicated as a paid app.  

Apps for reading

As you’ve heard and read this week, you’ll undoubtedly have to read a lot of material during your UK studies. Many university libraries make books and article available to read electronically. You can read these directly on your computer, tablet or phone and choosing the right e-book reader can make the experience easier and less tiring. Bluefire Reader is a free e-book reader app for books, pdfs or documents. It has a range of features, including a dictionary and full-text search.

Text-to-speech apps

If you want to take a break from reading, text-to-speech technology apps make written texts available in audio format. NaturalReader can read your text or document aloud in a synthetic voice. Read & Write (Chrome Plugin) allows you to listen to writing on a website or in a Google Docs text.

Apps for reference management

Reference management apps can be indispensable when you’re doing research and need to keep track of all your references. There are a number of different tools available, and you may find that your university recommends and supports, one particular option. Check what your institution suggests; they may offer training when you first arrive and help get you started.

Some of the best-known apps are EndNote, Zotero and Mendeley. They all have free versions, which will help you to store and organise your references for easy access from anywhere. They allow you to work on multiple computers and to collaborate with other students. They are compatible with word-processing software (eg Microsoft Word) so you can automatically insert citations into your essay, report or dissertation and build your bibliography.

Apps for well-being

Finally, here are some wellbeing apps. Headspace and Calm are mindfulness apps that can be helpful in times of stress. They offer guided meditations and breathing exercises that can relieve stress and make you feel more relaxed. Relax Melodies allows you to create a relaxing playlist of music to help you sleep better. Daily Yoga offers a range of exercise to help you stretch and relax.

If you want to monitor how you’re feeling, you might like Emoodji. This app is designed for students and is focused on student life. It encourages you to use emojis to reflect and track your mood using selfies.

If you don’t have enough time to test out all of these apps this week, don’t worry. They’ll be available for you as a resource to come back to in the future.

Which apps do you think will be the most useful for you?  Tell other Learners what you like about them in the comments section below.  You can describe apps on our list, or add a new one related this Week’s key topics.