7 Most Popular Apps For College Students

By Alexandra Brown on January 30, 2015

With smartphones becoming more and more prevalent, and even the norm at this point, the usage of apps on a day-to-day basis has also become quite common.

This trend of increased smartphone and app usage is common among all people, but most specifically, among college students. It is our generation in which this technology was produced, and our generation where it has become a part of everyday life.

We use our smartphones to constantly be in the loop, to constantly know what is going on in the world, and to feel like we’re not missing out on anything.

In addition to using our smartphones for texting and calling, we use them a great deal just for the apps we’re able to download, and the most popular usually tend to be free.

In addition to social media apps, college students also tend to use gaming apps, photo apps, apps for finding places to eat, bars to go to, weather apps and search engine apps.

Here are seven of the most popular apps among college students.

1. Facebook

Obviously, Facebook has become an intensely popular website over the past 10 years, and it seems like there are very few people without accounts at this point. If you come across someone who isn’t on Facebook, you almost think there’s something wrong.

Having the Facebook app, in addition to being able to access it on a computer, allows for even more instant gratification. We as college students can then be even more dialed in with this app.

With app settings, we’re also able to turn on notifications so whenever we get a friend request, someone writes on our wall, or photos get tagged, we’re notified immediately.

2. Twitter

Twitter, in addition to Facebook, has also grown in popularity as a website, and having it accessible via smartphone is very attractive to people, and more specifically, college students.

Being able to scroll through the app on our smartphones, and being able to see what our friends are saying, in addition to catching up on current events is what makes this app so popular.

3. Instagram

Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, has become more and more popular in recent years among young people and college students. As a sort of Twitter for pictures, students can post photos from going out, from vacations, and even inspirational quotes or funny memes.

What makes it so appealing is that different filters allow you to adjust what the original photo looked like, which makes it all the more fun. It’s also fun to tag friends in different posts from different accounts you follow. With more recent updates, there’s even a video feature in addition to solely posting photos.

4. Snapchat

As a photo/video-sharing app that allows for photos or videos to be sent to various friends for up to 10 seconds, at which point they are then gone and no longer accessible, Snapchat has become increasingly popular among college students.

With recent updates, the app has also included the addition of filters for photos and videos, the ability for the user to insert the time and temperature in captions of their photos and videos, and a platform where users can choose from a few different media outlets such as Cosmopolitan, ESPN, People and CNN to watch live videos of current events, and the content these outlets have to offer.

5. Trivia Crack

Taking a turn from social media apps, a newer gaming app that has become increasingly popular among college students is Trivia Crack. With this game, you’re able to start games with your friends via Facebook. Categories for trivia include science, entertainment, history, sports, arts and geography.

Whoever wins the most crowns in each section wins the game. It’s fun to play when you’re waiting for the bus on campus, procrastinating homework, or just feeling like beating your friends at something.

6. Gmail

It may seem like a basic app, but having the Gmail app on your smartphone allows you to read emails immediately upon receiving them. You’re able to turn on notifications, much like other apps listed above, to be made aware of emails right as they come in.

It’s helpful to get emails on the go, like emails of updates on projects and assignments from professors, because then we as students are able to be as productive as possible.

7. Viber

As college students, studying abroad is very popular and prominent, and having a way to connect with your friends and family from home if you’re the one abroad, or connecting to friends who are abroad is essential.

Since cellular reception abroad is expensive, college students, as well as people abroad use these types of apps where there is wi-fi so they can Skype, message, email and do other things without the need for a cell phone.

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