12 Apps Every College Freshman Needs

…because not everything is about academics or things for your dorm room

As a rising freshman, I am sure that you have been bombarded with lists by literally everyone and everywhere you go - "50 Dorm Essentials," "100 Things to Make Your First Year Perfect," "How to Transition from High School to College," etc.

Here is a list of apps in no particular order that you just need in your life to make college just easier - as told by an upperclassmen who knows (or should know) what they are doing by now!

1. Venmo

sharingcodes.com / Via venmo.com

If you don't download any other app on this list except for Venmo, then I will have already done my job. Venmo is 100% the greatest thing to ever happen during my time in college.

With Venmo you are able to pay your friends back for lunch, that cab you shared, or pay rent without the hassle of carrying cash around or walking to the bank. All you have to do is link your Venmo account to your Facebook or phone number and connect it to a debit or credit card.

**It is completely safe**

Venmo does NOT charge you for transactions in which you use a debit card, or for transferring your money to your bank account. They DO charge a small fee if you use a credit card, however.

You can now easily charge and pay people back, as well as remind them about payments with this app!

Ride Apps

2. Uber

apkroad.com

Uber is the best way of travel on any college campus in/near a big city! Ride in style rather than a regular cab for the same price (when it isn't surge of course). No one at my school cabs anywhere anymore because Uber is just so reliable and fast!

No more standing on the side of the street for a cab to drive by or worrying about going too far to find a cab!

Click here to get your first ride - free! (Worth up to $20)

3. Lyft

androidinspector.com

Lyft is Uber's biggest competitor and also widely used! It is basically the same service but the cars are more average.

Woah, look at that! Click here for another free first ride worth up to $20

Social Apps

You know...those other than Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter because well all know we don't need to be told to download those!

4. Google Calendar

knowyourmobile.com / Via google.com

This speaks for itself.

Google calendar is necessary to survive in this world. Don't miss any parties, dinners, formals, etc. And I guess exams, papers, club meetings, and assignments are important to keep track of as well!

Also create events to share with your friends to add on their calendars and make club-specific calendars for all members to add.

...the graphics are also simply amazing.

5. Snapchat

businessinsider.com

Everyone nowadays has a Snapchat, and if you don't then you better get on that immediately because how else will you take embarrassing pictures of your friends falling asleep in class, or karaoke on the weekends?

This is the best way to share how much fun you are having at your new school and show off all of the cool experiences you are having!

6. GroupMe

microsoft-news.com / Via groupme.com

Trust me when I say that you will be a part of several Groupmes and that you should get the app asap! Surely you will have one for your hall, intramural sports team, pledge class, fraternity/sorority, accapella groups, clubs, etc.

Groupme is an easy way to connect many people in one group chat because of course, not everyone has iPhones. You can also create events in each group, create memes, send pictures, and like each other's messages!

It is the best and easiest app out there for group communication, and you will come to love it!

...don't be lame and do the text messages version. Get the app.

7. Yik Yak

huffingtonpost.com

Entertain yourself while your bored or procrastinate rather than do actual work! Yik Yak tells you what everyone around you is anonymously thinking about and lets you comment/upvote/downvote. It is based on your location so you always get yaks from people on your campus.

Food Related Apps

8. Grubhub

guide.localbigwig.com / Via grubhub.com

If you don't know what Grubhub is, then you have not lived yet! And trust me when I say it will become your best friend during late night study sessions and when you're just hanging out with your friends.

With Grubhub, you can order food from many places around you to either pick it up or have it delivered to you!

9. Postmates

guide.localbigwig.com

Postmates is the greatest app ever! You could literally order anything you want from any store or restaurant and it will send a "postmate" to go get it for you and get it to you within say an hour.

They also occasionally give customers free pizza, chicken wings, donuts, Fourth of July gear, etc. but the only catch is that you have to pay delivery fee most of the time; that's still AMAZING though!

Postmates will also deliver to any building, so you could be in your dorm, the library, a house, your work-study office, ANYWHERE!

Click here for $10 of delivery credit when you first sign up!

10. Caviar

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Are you feeling classy and want food from upscale restaurants delivered to you? Sadly, most places like that don't deliver like your local chinese restaurant; BUT luckily there is Caviar!

Caviar works very similar to Postmates except it is limited to the city's nicest restaurants! It is great for when you want really good food but don't feel like leaving campus.

Click here for $15 off your first order! (....the $15 can go towards your food order AND delivery!)

11. Starbucks

abduzeedo.com / Via starbucks.com

It's simple - who doesn't love Starbucks?

And who loves it more than college students who REALLY need the caffeine to finish their 20 page papers in one night, or pull an all-nighter and finally read all assigned readings for the semester right before a midterm?

Sign up for the rewards program to receive free food or drinks when eligible, gain stars for each visit, and register your credit card so you can pay with your phone so you don't have to take all your study things with you on your Starbucks run!

12. Chipotle

zdnet.com / Via itunes.apple.com

Chipotle is bae.

If you did not know this already, then you are not ready for college. Chipotle is a way of life and literally every Chipotle near a college campus always has the most ridiculous lines...though we all know that won't stop us from getting our burrito bowls.

Download the app, place your order for pickup, and skip the entire line! Laugh at all of your friends that have to wait for eternity. Be smarter than they are.

Save your favorite orders so you can place them in the click of a button! Do what it takes to be fulfilled faster.