Apps
How did we function before apps? Today, we use them to order food, bring us rides and get us hooked on the latest addicting games. Basically, with apps, our lives are easier.
Fortunately for students at this university, attending a leading technology school gives us apps for everyday campus use, too. From social scheduling to bus updates, you can find an assortment of apps that make life at this university much easier. Here’s my quick take on eight university apps to help you sort them out:
(Note: I have an iPhone so, if you’re a non-iPhone user and this doesn’t apply to you, I apologize. Bear with me.)
Description: The quintessential app, made by the university for all students to use regularly. The app includes news, a faculty and staff directory, maps, videos, photos, upcoming events and sports information — all at least a couple years old. Yes, the app was last updated in 2011, so if you want relevant information about the university, use the Internet or something.
Look: Bland. Red. Maybe its lack of update has something to do with this.
Random review: “One star. I love the Terps but this app is horrible.”
Description: If the UMD Mobiles app that predates millions of dollars in construction isn’t working for you, find your way around the campus with this handy app. Not only does it have all the buildings and their never-confusing abbreviations (FYI: Caroline Hall is CAR and Carroll Hall is CRL), but it also has other campus staples with the names we actually call them, like The DenCon and Frat Row.
Look: Pretty generic, but it makes up for that by offering satellite, map and hybrid views as well as a search bar.
Random review: “Five stars. Better than Google Maps for on campus buildings.”
UMD Student Affairs, aka TerpLife
Description: Created by this university’s Student Affairs, this app allows you to download various guides, such as those regarding the 2015 Maryland Student Affairs Conference, homecoming, the career fair, family weekend, Department of Resident Life and New Student Orientation, among others. For each guide, the app features key information pertaining to the specific event, like schedules and parking information.
Look: Really sleek, and downloading each guide instead of creating several separate apps is incredibly convenient.
Random review: None yet, which means it’s new and no one’s complaining.
Description: This app is quick, social media-friendly way to share your schedule and communicate with classmates. By linking with Facebook, you can quickly see your friends’ schedules and who’s in your classes. The app also includes information about class locations and meeting times.
Look: Red. (I’m sensing a theme.) But it’s also very well-made and efficient.
Random review: “Three stars. Awesome app!! Except when I tap on the ‘classes’ tab it immediately crashes.” (The app has since been updated.)
Description: Everything you need for finals is now in the palm of your hand. Seriously, this app lets you program your schedule and check the hours of clutch studying locations, a GPA calendar and a bus schedule. There are also some fun bits, such as time management tips, a quote of the day (“It’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln) and stress-relief advice.
Look: This one is yellow! So I like it. It’s a pretty simple design, but the Maryland flag border is a nice touch.
Random review: “Five stars. Definitely helpful. Whoever made this app is definitely in the double digit club when it comes to sausage length.”
Description: The SOS here stands for “Stop. Observe. Seek information.” The app stores important information for emergencies, such as phone numbers, campus resources, the latest alerts and information on what to do in criminal, weather, hazardous conditions, mental health or other emergencies.
Look: Simple, but this app doesn’t really need to be all that fancy. I appreciate the black turtle shell background, though.
Random review: “Great App for Terps! I would definitely recommend fellow terps to download this app.”
Description: Don’t fret, Terps fans! This app updates sports junkies with access to the latest news, scores, schedules, rosters and more for your favorite Terps teams. You can even view photos and video highlights. The app also lets you filter by the sports you like and is organized conveniently for all your latest Terps-loving needs.
Look: Sleek and user-friendly, but also kind of boring. Maybe a different font would spice it up.
Random review: “Fearing the Turtle just got better when I found this app….A must have for MD fans!”
Description: This nifty app allows you to save your favorite routes and buses so you can see how long it will take for your Shuttle-UM ride to arrive. It’s as simple as that — for instance, a quick check of when the 115 Orange shuttle will arrive at Ritchie Coliseum gives you the next three times.
Look: Very red and not much else to comment on.
Random review: “Five stars. This app is amazing! It tells me exactly what I need to know. Thank you!”
