"Five Digital Tools to Manage Your Time Abroad (with links!)" by Destiny Magnett
MyHomework
The (free!) app MyHomework has been my ultimate homework tracker and planner since my high school days, and I have also found it remarkably good at helping me organize my assignments, study time, and blog posts. My favorite part is that the app works on my phone and laptop, so I can stay on top of things from any device.
Done: A Simple Habit Tracker
Done is a new app that I’ve been using since I arrived in Jordan, and I’ve found it ideal for tracking all of the non-class related things I’ve wanted to incorporate into my schedule, like journaling, exercising, and staying in touch with friends and family from home. It allows you to start streaks for each activity and helps make sure my self-care activities don’t slip through the cracks with my busy schedule.
Download it: Apple (only available on iOS)
Clockify
Clockify has been my absolute go-to tool for managing my work-life balance in Jordan. Since my classes, community-based learning placement, and remote internship in the U.S. all have their own time commitments, I use Clockify to make sure I’m not being over-extended. The app lets you track each of your activities in one place (kind of like a multi-purpose time sheet), so you know exactly how all of your hours are being spent. I also like being able to add in non-work/school activities (like sleep!) to really have a good idea of what balance makes me feel best.
Forest
Do you ever find yourself sitting down to do an assignment, but then scrolling on tik-tok for hours instead? Then this app may be for you! When you start an assignment, you open Forest and plant a seed; if you make it through the assignment without closing the app, a tree will grow! Before long, you’ll have your own forest of digital trees. Even better, the app plants real trees for all of the ones you grow in-app, so you can also feel good about your eco impact.
Destiny Magnett is a senior at Grinnell College studying on the Area and Arabic Studies program in Amman, Jordan this fall.
