First year of university, and all that change can be overwhelming, we totally understand.

So we’re going to make things as easy as possible for you. We’ll give you tips and tricks to enjoy and make the most of your first year of university, all in the palm of your hand.

We’ve got the apps that can make your life so much easier from the moment you download them. Take a look, install them, and feel the difference.

The essential apps for your university life in Madrid

Language apps for your first year of university in Madrid

Whether you’ve come to Madrid on Erasmus and already know the language well, or you’re studying a second or third language, these language apps will be fantastic for you.

Let’s start with Busuu, an app that helps you learn a new language with a large number of short lessons and interactive courses. One of the great advantages of Busuu is its online community of native speakers, with whom you can interact.

Duolingo is a classic that’s a must-have. It’s probably one of the most famous apps in the world, and its popularity is more than justified by its well-organized structure and a proven learning plan.

Of all its features, perhaps the best and most effective is its persistent reminders. It encourages you to spend a few minutes each day learning with practical and engaging exercises.

In general, we recommend that you dedicate at least 15 minutes daily to reviewing what you’ve learned and continuing to grow. Ideally, you could combine these apps with other materials such as reading short stories or watching YouTube videos. Although there’s nothing like going out into the street and putting what you’ve learned into practice. 

Transportation app for your first year of university in Madrid

And since we’ve mentioned the street, we’ll have to get out for a while, right? And that’s what this is all about: going out, exploring, and discovering a new city, and if that city is Madrid, the experience is going to be amazing.

To begin our urban adventure, the first thing you should have on your phone is Google Maps. And you might say, “What a novelty!” Well, maybe you’ve only used it for getting around by car, and if you stop for a moment and really explore it, you’ll discover what could be one of the most comprehensive guides to Madrid.

Google Maps offers real-time updates on any incidents on streets and roads, so however you travel, you’ll appreciate it. It can also provide information on any establishment nearby. Pay attention to this, as it’s very important, because you’ll know where the nearest supermarket or café is when you need it.

When it comes to urban mobility, Moovit is another of the best-known and most effective apps we’ve reviewed. Save yourself the stress of figuring out how to get from point A to point B. With Moovit, you’ll be aware of all the stops, their names, the travel time, and its “Let’s Go!” feature will tell you when to get off, without you even having to count the stops.

Although we recommend paying attention, because that way you can eventually move freely around the city without needing tools or apps, which is the ultimate goal: to get around Madrid like a local.

Organization app for your first year of university in Madrid

It’s only a matter of time before you realize that there aren’t enough hours in the day for everything you have to do or want to do. You’ll need to be very organized if you want to go to class, study, prepare projects, have coffee, play sports, go out, explore Madrid, and a long list of other things to do.

To avoid panic and make the most of your week, one of our favorite apps is Trello. Its function is to bring order to the chaos your life can become.

Although initially designed for leading and organizing a project or team, you can apply it to anything; from your personal life to your study and class schedule. You decide where and how to use it.

If you want to see your student and personal productivity skyrocket, another great option in the world of apps is Notion. Here you can organize notes, documents, schedules, and tasks of all kinds. Activate reminders and use it as a notebook that you can move and save.

It’s truly amazing and so practical that once you get used to it, you won’t remember how you were able to organize yourself before.

Wellness app for your first year of university in Madrid

It’s not all about running and rushing. Relax, stop, and breathe. You’re in one of the best cities in the world to visit and live in, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose your mind doing things. First and foremost, there’s you.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the first few days, or even in the middle of exam season, we have the solution for you, in addition to recommending a getaway to a place with beautiful views of Madrid or one of its charming cafes, whether alone or with good company.

Headspace is a meditation and mind-training app. Here, mindfulness is at the heart of everything, a way of life, and they’ll teach you to connect with yourself and improve your quality of life. It sounds mystical, but we assure you it works and is beneficial from the very beginning.

Don’t let any of the stages you’ll experience here cloud your ability to enjoy life and smile. From guided meditation to healthy habits, including breathing techniques. Yes, you have no idea about breathing; in fact, you’re lucky to be alive.

Our final recommendation in this area is the Calm app, which will help you not only meditate but also sleep better. It has tools that will improve your sleep and, therefore, your quality of life.