6 Must-Have Apps for Summer 2020
Summer of Self-Improvement
This summer, I’ve developed a focus on compound interest. Why? It increases your likelihood of achieving your long-term goals.
Whether it be financially or mentally, I find it fascinating how repeating small actions over time can lead to greater rewards in the future.
Through showcasing my favourite apps of the summer, I hope you will be inspired to complete unfinished projects and to turn your visions into reality.
Below, I’ve included photos of my own use cases (i.e. how I use each app) alongside descriptions of each app’s benefits.
Note: these have been ordered from short-to-long term effectiveness
1. “Habit Tracker App” by Davetech Co, Ltd (iOS only) [FREE]
Android alternative: “Everyday” by Joan Boixados
Relation to long-term goals: granular/detailed approach; focus on short-term future (1-7 days)
“Habit Tracker” has a simple interface yet allows you to do so much. You can set goals of different frequencies (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) + detailed reminders for each goal. The interface colors are cute and customizable (dark mode available!) The charts allow you to visually see your progress.
Using this app has helped me become more disciplined and has reminded me of the joy of learning.
Also, an extra layer of accountability is created through sharing habits with friends via iCloud.
For example, one of my goals is to finish reading “Thinking Fast, Slow” which I’ve had on my shelf for 1-2 years now. My daily action towards that goal, through “Habit Tracker,” is to read 5 pages a day. I’m currently on page 120, which is more than I would’ve read had I not set smaller, daily goals.
2. “MyFitnessPal” by Under Armour, Inc. [FREE]
Relation to long-term goals: fitness approach; focus on present and short-term future (1-2 weeks)
“MyFitnessPal” makes it easier to track your calories and manage your diet. You can search and select from various foods and exercises, and they do the rest of the input for you.
This app has helped me shed a few pounds (calories in < calories out) and has made me more conscious of the quality and quantity of food I consume. Overall, it has helped me feel better about my body, which carries over into other aspects of life!
3. “Notion” by Notion Labs, Incorporated [FREE]
Relation to long-term goals: priority approach; optimize your present state and focus on short-term future (1-2 weeks)
“Notion” takes on a kanban board approach similar to Trello or Google Keep, but differentiates itself through its simple, almost-millennial aesthetic.
With functionalities including lists, tags, and color-coding, it’s a good substitute for your phone’s default “Notes” app or an Excel sheet.
For an “organized chaos” kind of person like me, it’s made my endless to-do lists easier to read and edit. I’ve been able to better manage my priorities, and thus leave more time to work on my goals through Notion.
4. “Space it - Anki Flashcards” by Rintaro Kawagishi (iOS only) [FREE]
Relation to long-term goals: linguistic approach; focus on short-term (1-2 years)
“Space It” takes the famous algorithm from PC app “Anki” and makes it easier for you to stay on top of learning your flashcards (because we are mobile-centric, not laptop-centric). They set up reminders with spaced repetition based on each word’s difficulty level (which you select).
I first heard about Anki through a friend studying Medical Science. I find “Space It” way more effective than “Quizlet” and more digestible for daily use than most language-learning apps.
I’m currently using it to learn Korean. For any new words I come across from consuming Korean media, I add it onto my deck and check-in daily to test my memory of certain cue cards. It’s helped me develop my long-term memory skills.
5. “Notability” by Ginger Labs (iOS only) [$14]
Android alternative: “OneNote” by Microsoft Corporation
Relation to long-term goals: visual approach; focus on mid-term future (1-5 years or <10 years)
“Notability” costs $14 and is most ideal for iPads, but it’s worth every cent. During the school year, it’s perfect for adding notes to slides. In the summer, it’s great for plotting goals, ideas, and life path options.
I love how I can undo, rewrite, and resize my strokes with this app. This app has helped me become more organized and creative because I can now write down my thoughts instead of cramming them in my head. Furthermore, it helps me flesh out my overarching life plans in a visual way (which is how I learn best).
Having this big picture overview will provide more purpose to your daily goals.
6. “Wealthsimple Trade” by Wealthsimple [FREE]
Relation to long-term goals: financial approach; focus on very long-term future (10+ years)
“Wealthsimple” is a growing presence in the Canadian fintech scene. They offer low rates when buying your own stocks, namely FREE for Canadian stocks and 2% (+ currency conversion fee) on American stocks.
This app is a great way to dip your toes into the water of investing. In my case, I play around with a sum of money that I’m okay with possibly losing and research each stock I buy.
I’ve found that actually buying my own stocks has helped me learn some of the market patterns; it also pushes me to keep up-to-date with the news. Moreover, it makes me more optimistic about the future.
The earlier you invest, the more interest you can earn (aka compound interest)! I’d highly recommend just starting now, even if it’s a small amount :) Make the most of your summer income or CESB money!
My favourite investing resource: simplywall.st
One of my goals this summer is to get my G2 (yeah, I know, I’m a bit late on that). Until June, the last time I practiced driving was late 2019. However, through working on my other summer goals, I tackled my fear of failing and gained enough courage to obtaining my license. Now, I practice every other day and am getting better at parking.
Ultimately, using apps with a mixed-time-frame approach (e.g., short, mid, and long-term) will allow you to work efficiently and effectively toward your long-term goals.
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