If you’re a student in 2025, you already know how tough it is to manage everything — classes, assignments, projects, and of course, all the distractions around. It gets hard to stay focused and actually get things done. You might forget one or two things in all this chaos, but don’t worry — we’ve got your back! There are some seriously useful and free apps out there that most people don’t know about but can make your study life way easier. Today, I’m sharing the three best apps you need to try: Notion, Boosted, and Forest. Each one tackles a different part of your study routine, helping you plan smarter, focus better, and actually stay motivated.
1. Notion
If you want to keep all your study stuff in one place, Notion is a game-changer. You can create daily and weekly to-do lists, organize your lecture notes, assignments, and even store PDFs and links—all neatly arranged in customizable pages. The ability to add deadlines and reminders helps you stay on top of your work without missing any important dates. It’s like having a digital planner, notebook, and project manager rolled into one.
What makes Notion especially useful for students is its flexibility. You can build your own study dashboards or use pre-made templates to suit your style. Plus, it syncs across all devices, so whether you’re on your phone between classes or on your laptop at home, your organized notes and plans are always ready to go.
Notion Tutorial Video – How to use Notion for Begineers by Sankho kun
2. Forest
If you’re the kind of student who grabs the phone just to check the time and ends up deep in memes, Forest is your rescue app. It turns your focus into a little game — whenever you start a study session, you plant a virtual tree. The longer you stay off your phone, the more your tree grows. But if you give in to distraction and leave the app, the tree dies. It’s a simple but oddly powerful way to resist the urge to scroll. Forest also keeps a clean record of your daily and weekly focus time. It’s visual and easy to understand, so you can literally see your progress and stay motivated.
What makes Forest even better is that it’s not just a solo mission. You can join friends for shared focus sessions — study together, stay focused, and grow your forests side by side. And here’s the wholesome twist: the app lets you spend your earned virtual coins to plant real trees through Forest’s partnership with tree-planting organizations. So while you’re building good habits and getting things done, you’re also helping the planet.
Why Pay for Courses When the Best Ones Are Free?
3. Boosted
Boosted helps you realistically track how much time you actually spend studying versus getting distracted. With its built-in Pomodoro timer, you can focus for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break — that’s one Pomodoro session, and you can run as many as you need to stay productive without burning out. This method helps your brain stay sharp and reduces burnout. Boosted also provides detailed stats on your productivity so you can see patterns and improve over time.
Unlike other cluttered apps, Boosted keeps things simple and distraction-free. It’s perfect for students who want to build strong study habits and avoid losing track of time. Knowing exactly how long you’ve studied and when to take breaks can make a big difference in your focus and results.
Finally…
Just remember, apps alone won’t make you a success. The real work has to come from your side. These tools are here to support your focus and determination — but it’s you who needs to set your goals, put in the effort, and achieve them. Use these apps as your secret weapons, and you’ll be surprised how much more focused and motivated you can become.
These three apps — Notion, Boosted, and Forest — aren’t magic pills, but powerful tools to help you take control of your study routine. Whether it’s organizing your tasks, managing your time with focus sessions, or staying motivated by growing virtual (and real) trees, they each play a unique role in helping you study smarter.