Editor’s Advice: Utilizing Your Ipad for Success
Last year, I decided to invest some money into an iPad, and I can safely say it was one of the best decisions that I’ve made. It’s been a great tool for note-taking, research, and entertainment. In this guide, I will share some tips and tricks I use to utilize my iPad for student success.
1. Goodnotes
Goodnotes is one of the most popular and versatile note-taking apps available. The thing I love about it the most is the ability to customize it in the way that you like to take notes. There are several templates available when you first purchase the app, but for those who are graphic designers, you can upload your own templates that you create in photoshop or illustrator. There are also several other templates you can find online through stores such as Etsy that have thousands of templates for a number of different uses. Some other functions that Goodnotes can serve as is a digital planner. There are a few built-in templates, but I find it best to find some online that might be more suited to your needs. The app costs $9 on the apple store, and there are a few versions that serve more as a trial for the app, but the great thing about the paid version is that it is a one-time purchase with no added subscriptions or fees. Once you purchase the app, everything is available for you, and the only other add-ons for the app are the ones purchased online or the ones you make yourself. I’ve used several other apps for note-taking, which is the one that I always come back to. I highly recommend trying this one first.
2. One-Note
Microsoft One-Note comes free with the Office365 subscription, which SCAD students get access to for free. For those who like to type their notes on the iPad or on a separate keyboard, this is the app for you. The best part of the app is that it is the best for viewing on multiple devices. The One-Note app can be downloaded on all devices and can be used on a web browser, making it the best for those who are on the go. The downside for me is that there are no templates you can use, and the pen support for the Apple Pencil is not that great. For those looking for a bare-bones note-taking app, this is the one for you.
3. Notably
Notably was the app I used before Goodnotes, and I was having trouble deciding which worked best for me. One of the biggest draws was the ability to record audio while you’re taking notes and when you play back the audio, it’ll show your notes being written in real-time. If you choose to use this feature, be sure to get permission from the person you are recording, but I found this feature very helpful, especially since some professors can cover topics faster than you can write. The downside to the app is that it is free to download, but you have to have a premium subscription in order to use all of its features. Thankfully, the yearly subscription is relatively affordable, but I personally found this to be annoying. Besides that, this is a terrific note-taking app that comes with a lot of features that will help you take notes faster and more efficiently.
4. Apple Pencil
The Apple Pencil is an essential accessory for the iPad that makes note taking so much easier. While you can find any stylus and use it on the iPad with no issue, the Apple Pencil works so much better since it was designed with the iPad in mind. I don’t like typing my notes, so using the stylus feels so much better, and it reacts so well on the iPad surface. For an even better experience, I recommend purchasing a screen protector that’s labeled as a “Paper-like” feel. These screen protectors try to recreate the feeling of writing on paper, and I personally prefer this, so it doesn’t feel like I’m writing on glass.
5. Google Calendar
I’ve recommended this app in other articles, and it’s for a good reason. Google Calendar is the best planner app I’ve used, and it works wonderfully with the iPad. I’ve used multiple different planners, both digital and physical, and Google Calendar is what has worked best for me. In addition,having push notifications sent directly to my phone and other devices has saved me on several occasions.
6. Slack and Discord
I’m sure these apps need no introduction, and most of us are likely already using it. The interface on the iPad is great, and being able to take these apps on the go is essential for students.
7. Procreate
The iPad paired with the Apple Pencil is great for drawing, and one of the best apps for illustrators is Procreate. You can use several tools to make your drawings even better. I don’t do much drawing personally, but when I do, I prefer to do it digitally, and Procreate is my go-to.
8. Get a Quality Case and Screen Protector
The very first thing you should do when you get your iPad is to make sure it’s protected. Don’t buy the Apple branded cases since they’re overpriced for the quality, and you can find much better cases for half the cost on Amazon or Best Buy. If you purchase the Apple Pencil, I advise getting a case that either has a holder for the pencil or is wide enough to cover it. My case doesn’t protect the pencil, and it gets knocked off all the time. As far as quality for a screen protector, anything with tempered glass will work just fine. I put on a paper feel screen protector, and I like it a lot more than the standard glass protector.
I remember in high school, they started handing out iPads to students, and it made everything so much better. The biggest impact for me was taking faster and more efficient notes. My note-taking style is that I like to customize my notes and color code different things. Using an iPad makes it so much easier to do. The SCAD bookstore has several iPads available, and thankfully we get a pretty generous discount. If you liked this article, be sure to share it and be on the lookout on the Render Q website and Discord for more like it.