Between text messages, social networks and online videos, smartphones can be a real distraction for staying focused in class, but they can also be a tool for your studies and college life thanks to a variety of apps.

Dropbox and Google Drive: If you have ever lost a file for that really important essay right before having to turn it it, or a file of your notes before an exam, you know this is one of the worst feelings in the world. With Dropbox and Google Drive that won’t ever happen. These apps allow you to upload different types of files (documents, pics and video) to the cloud, and to access them from any device, smartphone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection. With these apps you can forget about having to email yourself that important file, or worse, carrying a flash drive.  

EasyBib and RefMe: As if writing an essay wasn’t hard enough, doing the citation page in the required MLA or APA style can make it even more complicated. With EasyBib and RefMe you can get the citations of sources in your essay by simply entering the title of a book or article, or even scanning a book’s barcode with the camera in your smartphone. 

Mathway: Math, algebra and geometry can be a real headache, but Mathway can guide you step by step to find the solution to any equation while allowing you to compare results. 

Venmo and Splitwise: If you have roommates these apps are a must for keeping track of shared expenses and IOUs, whether it’s the rent or the pizza you shared. While both apps allow you to keep track of whom owes whom, Venmo also allows you to link your bank account to make payments and transfers among roomies easier.

Duolingo: Duolingo is a great app that allows you to learn different languages and practice on your own what you’ve learned, from reading to writing and even speaking —if your pronunciation is off, Duolingo will let you know. You can also link this app to Facebook and share scores with friends. 

TED: College is one of the best places to expand your mind. If  you are numb from binge-watching your favorite series on Netflix or Hulu, TED gives you access to videos of fascinating talks and conferences with some of the most interesting and forward-thinking people in the world.

Other basic apps include Evernote, for taking notes; Wolfram Alpha, for reference; and dictionaries from Dictionary.com and The Oxford Dictionary. If your university has its own app, to check your grades, for example, or to see your exam schedule and stay in the know about what is happening in campus, you should definitely consider downloading it. 

On the other hand, if you haven’t develop the habit of keeping a schedule or calendar, college is definitely the time to start doing it, and there are many apps for that. It is also a good moment to start keeping track of your finances and your budget with apps like Mint, which among many other things will tell you how much you’ve spent, on what, and how much money you have left. 

It is important to keep in mind that using all these apps can increase your data consumption, something particularly important if you don’t have an unlimited plan. 

Finally, the new school year is also a great opportunity to take advantage of the back to school deals from mobile phone carriers. Among them, MetroPCS has a variety of free smartphones, like the Nokia Lumia 521, the Samsung Galaxy Exhibit, the Alcatel One Touch Evolve, and the ZTE Concord II. Any of these, along with an unlimited data, text and talk plan from MetroPCS, available starting at $40 per month, can be the perfect companion for any college student.