This year, it's time to start working smarter, not harder.

Our 'in' for 2025 is effective working, and there's no better way to revamp your study style than taking advantage of the many study tools out there.
With so many options around, it’s hard to know which ones are actually worth your time, and that’s why we’ve curated a list of our tried-and-true study tools. Get the low down on the best study apps and tools below — because as we all know, time is money.
Best digital tools
Apps, apps, apps. We can't escape tech, so why not make it work for you?
Time management apps
Tracking the hours you're studying is probably the most effective way to get an accurate picture of how much — or how little — you're working.
Focus Traveller - Flow Timer
There's many iterations of the pomodoro app (which separates your studying into 25 minutes sessions and 5 minute breaks) but our pomodoro app of choice is Focus Traveller. It's super cute because you get to choose your traveller character and slowly make your way to the top of the mountain.
Timero
Another focus and study timer, this is our second choice for if you're particularly competitive. You can add your friends and race them to your productivity goal, get a daily breakdown of your work, find your peak hours and get motivated!
Revision tools
Quizlet - the app
Okay, we know everyone knows about Quizlet. Flashcards are a timeless study aid, and they're our favourite form of revision (because recall actually works). But make sure to download the actual app for peak passive revision! There's nothing like scrolling through a bit of Tudor history while waiting for the bus.
Notion
This is for everyone who colour codes their notes in class. Notion is an organisation dream -- you can organize notes by subject, add multimedia, and even share with your classmates. Super user friendly.
Anti-distraction
It's that darn phone.
Cold Turkey
Our personal favourite. It blocks distracting websites and apps on your devices for a set period. You can't bypass it, making it a great tool for accountability.
Focus@Will
Provides background music specifically designed to enhance concentration and reduce distractions.
Grayscale Mode (Built-In)
Not an app, but most smartphones have a grayscale setting (under accessibility settings). try turning off the colour mode to reduce the visual appeal and dopamine hit you get. It helps with curbing doomscrolling.
Mindfulness apps
Most important in your academic journey is stress management.
Headspace
Our personal top choice, and especially good if you spring for subscription. It offers guided meditations and focus exercises to help reduce stress and improve mental clarity. An underrated feature are the Sleepcasts, which are like little meditative story settings to help you drift off.
Calm
More about calming sounds than meditation, but great for stressful moments.
Subject-specific websites
For STEM subjects, check out:
Khan Academy - practise exercises.
Code Academy - beginner-friendly courses in programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and SQL.
For humanities subjects (English, History, Philosophy)
LitCharts - specifically their ShakesClere series!
History Extra - provides articles, podcasts, and resources.
For past papers:
Save My Exams - without any doubt, includes the most comprehensive past papers and fully worked solutions tailored to mark schemes.
Tips for maximising study apps
Having the right tools is one thing, but knowing how to use them effectively is another. Here’s how to get the most out of your study resources:
Combine the digital with the old-school. It's still true that writing things down physically helps with memory because the tactile and spatial aspects of handwriting are believed to reinforce learning and memory pathways. So, don't forget to jot down the things you need to memorise onto real paper.
Set boundaries. Block out specific times to use productivity apps and stick to them. Don't overdo it, because you'll only be disappointed when you burn out from overworking. Cold Turkey or grayscale mode can help here!
Track your progress. Use tools like Notion or Timero to monitor how you’re improving over time, because improvement makes motivation.

Why not let Avalon Education do the heavy lifting?
Finding the right tools and strategies to study effectively can feel overwhelming, but that's where we come in. Our expert tutors do more than just teach; they equip you with the skills you need to master your own learning, too.
So, whether you're struggling with time management or focus, we’re here to help you work smarter, not harder.
Contact Avalon Education today and discover how personalized support can make all the difference. Your success starts here!
Comments