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Sean McMinn
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There are some things Millennials just can’t live without: namely, their cellphones.
With a Pew Research Center report in June finding that nearly 80 percent of Americans between 18 and 24 years old own a smartphone, it appears a significant amount of the Cal Poly incoming class will be carrying an iPhone or Android in their pocket as they find the way to their first class.
So how can you get the most out of your smartphone while at Cal Poly? Download these apps to help you through your first year of college (just don’t get caught using them in class).
1. The Official Cal Poly App
“Duh,” you might be thinking. But seriously, this app is possibly the most useful on this list. Cal Poly put all your campus resources in one easy-to-use app, and here are some of the highlights:
A full campus map, because it beats looking like a tourist standing at the giant map posters on campus.
Cal Poly’s directory, which gives you the phone number and email address of any professor (and some students) on campus.
Dining hours and locations, so you don’t walk from Yosemite Hall to Einstein’s Bagels without being sure that you’ll get your pepperoni pizza bagel.
2. SLO Bus Tracker
For those of you coming from a big city, it’s understandable to be unimpressed with San Luis Obispo’s simplistic bus system. But get over it, because it’s completely free for students!
Don’t waste gas traveling downtown, but do make sure to download this app so you don’t get stuck on the way home. SLO Bus Tracker, made by two Cal Poly students in an app development class, has real-time bus locations, arrival times and a map of San Luis Obispo so you can find your way back to campus.
3. PlusDollars
While the official Cal Poly app has a box that lets you check your PolyCard balance, it’s clunky and takes a few minutes to load — time you don’t have during the 10 minutes between afternoon classes.
By just logging in with your Cal Poly username and password, PlusDollars gives you your balance of meal credits, Campus Express and, of course, Plu$ Dollars. Best of all, it tells you how much money you can spend each day to stay on budget for the quarter.
4. Google Drive
Beyond its mobile app, Google Drive is one thing you need to get RIGHT NOW if you don’t already have it. Students at Cal Poly use Google Drive for group projects, in-class work and even to turn in assignments. Don’t be that person using … Yahoo!? So go download it, I can wait…
Great. Now that you have a Google account, grab the app for your phone so you’re never without your important schoolwork. Edit papers, collaborate on spreadsheets or type a quick note and have it immediately available on any of your devices.
5. Sleep Cycle
Going to college can be exhausting, and whether you like it or not, you’re still going to be trudging your way across campus to class in the morning.
Not only does Sleep Cycle measure your sleep quality through the accelerometer in your smartphone, it also wakes you during your “lightest” period of sleep in the morning. Use Sleep Cycle when waking up for Friday class sounds as unappealing as that fifth tequila shot the night before.
6. Mustang Daily
Yes, we get it — this sounds just a little self-promotional. But seriously, it’s the place to get Cal Poly news updated live throughout the day and features on fellow students.
As part of Mustang Daily’s new digital focus this year, our app is going to be more important than ever in covering everything Cal Poly, from news to arts to sports. Don’t feel like picking up a full edition of our paper? Just download the app and stay up to date with what’s happening on campus.
7. Crowsflight
A fun app, especially for those (not-so) rare moments of homesickness. Enter any location, and it will point you toward there and tell you how far it is, as the crow flies.
Whether it’s finding the swine unit on campus (seriously, does anyone know where it is?) or pointing you towards home, Crowsflight is a good addition to anyone’s app screen.