Judging from the never-ending line in front of your local Apple Store and the gleeful chatter around campus, you probably already know that the iPhone 4S was unveiled on Oct. 4. Despite its ability to distract us in the middle of class (Angry Birds is always more entertaining than your professor’s lecture), there are actually ways to make your iPhone useful to you as a college student. Here are the top 5 Apps that make your iPhone more than a time waster.
1. Rate My Professors
When it comes time to enroll for new classes, no one wants to get stuck with the miserable old witch that has been compared to Agatha Trunchbull in Matilda, teaching your section; this is the way to prevent it. Whether you want to find an inspiring teacher, or just an easy grader, Rate My Professors will help you find the teacher of your dreams (or at least for the semester).
“It’s funny because…who are the types of people that would take the time in their day to post something useful on that website? But I’m a hypocrite because I use it every time I register for classes,” said James Shechet, a sophomore business and cinematic arts major at University of Southern California.
2. Yelp
Yelp is a review website that allows you to find user reviews of restaurants, hotels, museums, doctors, and just about anything else you could imagine. For a fun night out with the girls or trying to find an inexpensive hotel for your parents to stay in during parents' weekend, Yelp takes away the burden of finding the right place with just a few clicks.
“I love Yelp. It is my holy grail. It is my bible. I cannot live, breathe, or eat without it,” said Clarice Choi, a junior biology major at the University of California, San Diego.
3. Amazon Student
The price of textbooks is ridiculous. We know that it is not going to change anytime soon. Help ease the stress on you and your parents' wallets by buying and selling your used textbooks through Amazon Student. With the app, you can scan old textbook barcodes directly into your iPhone or iPad and compare the price with Amazon’s trade-in values. You can even print shipping labels and send your books to Amazon for free.
4. Mint
Sometimes it takes having your credit card declined over a pizza delivery to the library to realize you need to keep better track of your finances. College students generally do not handle their money wisely. Mint is an online money-manager. The password-protected site manages your income, spending, and investments. It can also alert you when your spending is going over budget.
5. Mixology
When there is nothing in your fridge and your friends are coming over to pregame, Mixology will help you assemble the perfect cocktail. Enter what drinks you have on hand, and the site will give you possible drink recipes. There is also a search function to help you find the closest liquor store or bar (for those of drinking age of course).
