The world of today looks very different than it did even a decade ago, and major technological innovations are having a ripple effect through basically every aspect of our society. Higher education is no different. As a college education becomes an increasingly expensive endeavor, you’re going to want to make sure you have all the tools and preparation you need to make the most of your time in university. Here’s what you can do to get ready before the semester begins.

Load Up on Apps

If you’re leaving for college for the first time, chances are you can expect to have to exercise self-discipline more than you ever have. Learning how to manage your time, finances, and studies can take some time, but there are a number of tools that can help you with this. You can benefit from the scope of the present app market. For instance, while there are a number of generic scheduling apps around, there are also specific software platforms like iStudiez Pro that are designed for the unique needs of students. Then there’s Bunk-o-Meter that can provide you with notifications about your class schedule.

Every student should have a scheduling and note taking app available to them, but you should also look into specialized tools catered to your major and the classes you expect to take. You’ll want to particularly keep an eye towards apps that sync across multiple platforms so you can access them on bot your phone and your desktop or laptop.

Learn the Tools

Attending school in the modern age means understanding the tools available to you. Without a reasonable level of computer literacy, you’re not going to be able to properly navigate the environment. Online typing exercises can help you improve your aptitude with the keyboard and make note taking a far easier proposition. You’ll also want to hone your research skills so that you can excel when writing papers. In the high intensity college environment, Google alone simply won’t cut it. If you know what major you’re interested in pursuing, figure out if there are any specialized search engines. There are a number of valuable resources that gather materials and professional journals in specific fields, and they can improve your research game exponentially.

Get on the Cloud

Cloud-based technology is a valuable resource for synchronizing your personal and professional life across all your devices, and you’re going to want to get started sooner rather than later. A cloud-based platform like Google Docs can help you when it comes to comparing and researching universities, putting together a checklist of the supplies you need for your new dorm, and organizing your study materials. These types of resources can help you provide you with the resources you need to transition into college, but they’ll pay dividends in the future if you learn how to integrate them as a part of your daily life.

Online Practice Courses

Standardized testing is just a necessary component of college admissions, but it’s become much easier to accomplish with the increased prevalence of the internet. Whether you’re looking to get into an undergraduate program or transition into medical or another specialized college, online study programs are readily available. Signing up for SAT or Kaplan MCAT prep can provide you with the boost you need on a schedule that fits your lifestyle while also helping you determine your aptitudes and weaknesses.