Most students face an intimidating first year at university. For some of them, it takes months to adapt to the new rhythm, while others simply cannot cope with the challenge and end up leaving college. Using mobile apps by the beginning of the year seems to help students with these problems.

First year college students suffer countless problems; some of them miss their families, others have problems locating their classrooms, and others simply do not know when the library is open. Initial guidance is key to tackle demotivation and anxiety. Mobile apps are quite useful when dealing with these problems.

An example of an app used as a guiding tool is the one developed by the University of Texas A&M.

A study by OOHLALA (a company that creates education apps) at the University of Texas A&M in Galveston, revealed that 66.67% of the students surveyed claimed that the mobile app had reduced their stress levels during the first weeks of college life. Around 75% said the app helped them to gain more knowledge about the surroundings of their campus. 83.34% said it made them feel more confident and 95.83% said it provided a sense of belonging in campus.

Another investigation showed that 48% of the 25,000 students surveyed are keener to say they are satisfied when they use an app than when they use a website. In addition, 71% of students with poor guidance experience had regular to low grades.

In Latin American universities there are similar apps that students can use as they start college. In Mexico, the Technological Institute of Monterrey has a mobile device called “MiTec”. This app works as a guidance and assistance tool so users may locate the campus services, check their grades, class schedules, take online courses, read the news, attend events, etc.

Other Latin American universities that use mobile apps, which can be downloaded in Android and iOS stores, are the University Iberoamericana (Ibero Móvil), the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Mi UNAM), the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) of Brazil, and the University of Los Andes (MiUANDES) in Colombia.

Mobile technology already is a part of students’ lives. Apps with interactive maps, calendars, schedules, courses, among other functions, improve the beginning of university life. It is a good option for universities to commit and shelter new students through the use of powerful apps.