If you need help studying, try...
Quizlet
With Quizlet you use virtual "flashcards" to study on a website or smartphone--and there's no chance of losing them.
Who should use this? If you like using paper flashcards to study definitions and facts, then you need Quizlet.
How does it work? Log into your account, or launch the mobile app, then either use the Search field to find a study set or create your own (Quizlet leads you through the process). You can review the "flashcards" by clicking through them ("turning them over" as you would paper index cards) or selecting a game to play.
What does it cost? The basic version is free, but contains ads (to remove ads and get advanced features, pay $20/year for Quizlet Plus). Sign up for an account at the Quizlet website, or go to the Apple App Store or Google Play to download the free mobile version.
Read&Write
Read&Write reads text in EPUB books, Microsoft Word files, PDFs, websites, and Google Docs. In addition, it allows you to highlight important passages and export that text into handy study guides.
Who should use this? Students who have reading challenges such as dyslexia, who speak English as a second language, and students who learn best by listening.
How does it work? It comes in Windows, Mac, and Chrome Extension versions. Watch this demo of the Chrome version to see the tool in action.
What does it cost? The premium version is $145 per year. There is a free 30-day trial (with writing and other features); after that, you can continue using the basic reading features for free.
How can I get it? You can download Read&Write from TextHelp.
Kurzweil 3000
Kurzweil 3000 reads articles, books, and other materials out loud--including web pages. It also allows you to highlight important passages and add "sticky notes," then export that text into a study guide--that you can then turn into an MP3 file to listen to on a mobile device.
Who should use this? Students who have reading challenges such as dyslexia, who speak English as a second language, and students who learn best by listening.
How does it work? Watch this reading demo to see Kurzweil 3000 in action. The program also offers very useful writing features; watch this video for details.
What does it cost? There is a free 30-day trial, and after that it is $700 per year.
How can I get it? Many colleges (including at SMCCCD) offer Kurzweil 3000 as an accommodation for their students. Check with your school's resource center.