Ten apps for the new year

Austin Keefer, Staff Writer • January 10, 2019

TRL’s Austin Keefer assembled a list of 10 apps to help you achieve your New Year’s goals.

Every January we kick off the new calendar by attempting to better ourselves in some way. But, much like “I’ll call you later,” “Just one more” and “You’ve got my vote,” it’s usually a short-lived promise–which is no one’s fault. Resolutions are hard to keep up with, and old habits die hard. However, if you’re determined to make 2019 the year to achieve your New Year’s resolutions, perhaps this list of applications available on both iOS and Android will help.

MyFitnessPal (iOS/Android) – Weight Loss/Gain

Arguably the most brutally simple of the apps, MyFitnessPal functions as a calorie counter. After filling in your current weight and your goal weight, the app will set a goal date and then budget your calories for you. Entering what you’ve eaten that day will trigger notifications later about whether or not you should eat more.

Trivia Crack (iOS/Android) – Become more well-rounded

This app is relatively well-known, but its effectiveness can’t be denied. It can challenge you on topics you’re vague on and put your brain to work during your free time, rather than play some mindless game. And, if you lose a round or two, don’t worry about it. Just rage quit.

Relax Melodies (iOS/Android) – Get more sleep

This musical, melodious app will rock you to slumber with relaxing sounds. Drift off to anything from wind to rain to the ocean to film-noir lounge music. There’s even a music box audio option. Now frankly, I’ve seen WAY too many horror movies to be playing a music box in the nighttime, if at all. But, if that’s what’ll make you go lights out, more power to you.

Pocket Schedule (iOS) – Plan ahead

If you are one of those people who have five or six extracurriculars to deal with while juggling school and a part-time job, here’s some hope in the form of an app. It’s like a planner, but on your phone. Easy and effective.

Rosetta Stone (iOS/Android) – Learn a language

Whether you’re aiming to do business in China in the near future or you just want to get your correct order when you eat out on your vacation to Mexico, language skills are crucial. Most people like Duolingo, but Rosetta Stone is shorter, simpler, and gets you there faster. Soon you’ll be sitting on a beach, munching tacos. And they’ll taste all the better because you ordered them right.

Quotes Alarm (iOS/Android) – Start the Day Right

Waking up before 11 a.m. is difficult. Everyone knows this. But how about some famous utterance to inspire you to leap from your bed and yell “Carpe Diem!” This app allows you to wake up every morning to an inspirational quote on your phone. Unless Starbucks is having a sale, there’s not a better motivator to squirm out from under the sheets.

Reflectly (iOS/Android) – Remember That?

Have you noticed that you often find the smaller, less memorable good times you’ve had slipping from your mind? Well, nothing rectifies that problem like going the Greg Heffley route. Just go briefly to Reflectly and jot down the best part of your day. And maybe not mention the, uh, less satisfactory parts.

Skyview (iOS/Android) – Enjoy the Night Sky

Nothing cleanses the mind and body like enjoying the brisk nighttime air. If you’re sitting under the stars and feeling a little bored, Skyview might make things more interesting by showing you the names of the stars, constellations and planets that you’re looking at. Gives you a chance to reflect on how small we truly are in the world. Speaking of which, if your resolution is to be more reflective, consider this app killing two birds with one stone.

Zenscreen (iOS/Android) – Limit Phone Time

This app should make up for the counterproduction of spending all this time on your phone. Similar to the fitness app, Zenscreen will budget your phone usage, and set a goal date to your desired time.

Resolutions (iOS/Android) – Well…resolutions

This app is basically a combination of the nine. After entering your custom resolution, it will help you track your progress through a calendar, and you can enter in as many resolutions as you want.

Well, there you have it. Good luck. Because if you require the help of an app to follow through on your resolution, you’re going to need it.

About the Contributors

Austin Keefer, Staff Writer

Running on all caffeine and no sleep, Austin Keefer is 17 years young and in his senior year of high school, as well as his third year on The Red Ledger staff. In those three years, he has interviewed everyone from coaches to cops to Congressional candidates. He enjoys his role as the instigator and blood-boiler, a role that spans eight periods of school and beyond. Yeah, he’s that guy, with jokes and one-liners that range from witty to dirty and are found funny by few besides himself. He also prides himself on his old-school tastes, preferring fedoras to dye, talking to texting, and cards to Fort Night or whatever the heck it’s called. This third year coincides with his third year of acting in the school’s Theatre program, where he’s portrayed everyone from pirates to detectives to (gulp) Nazis. Now there are a few photo ops that are best kept buried….

Grace Nguyen, Section Editor

Fueled daily by three iced vanilla coffees, standing at 5’2”, Grace Nguyen will walk into the E103 door with no problem. Grace is entering senior year, and the only reason she is believed to have survived high school is because of the napping couch in the photography studio. During her time on staff, Grace has been to almost every football game, win or loss, and wouldn’t have changed a thing. Yes, Grace has been tackled by football players, run over by coaches, and body slammed by referees. Nonetheless, Grace will confidently walk on the field this year, bruises and all, alongside her sideline media team. Stepping outside the newsroom, which is rare, Grace enjoys playing softball, hanging out with family and friends, and finding excuses to go to every $3 Pazookie Tuesdays at BJ’s. After high school, Grace hopes to pursue a career in sports photojournalism, so watch out for her still getting run over by athletes on ESPN in the years to come. Although it’s bittersweet to leave newspaper upon graduation, Grace is thankful for all the opportunities that she’s had on staff. Through The Red Ledger, Grace created long-lasting friendships and won a lot of awards that she never imagined was possible. Grace hopes that current and future staffers will think of this national-award-winning publication the same way as she did–a second family and their home away from home.