The app I would recommend above all else, for either a Mac or iPad, would be  Pages. Apple’s homemade version of Microsoft Word, Pages, is what you’d expect out of Apple when it comes to programming. It is easy, elegant, and turns out amazing results.

Pages can import work that was done in Word, and it can also export to Word, PDF, and more! It actually has some great publishing features, so if you wanted to make a poster, flyers, or maybe business cards – it can be done with Pages. With dozens of templates, and the ability to manipulate your documents with ease, makes Pages a must have. It is also an iCloud enabled program, so when you work in Pages, your documents will go into iCloud. What’s great about that is when your are creating a document on one Apple device with Pages, you can continue working on it with another Apple device with Pages. It is all automated as well, so no flash drives or self emailing necessary. You can get Pages for your Mac for $19.99, or your iOS device for $9.99.

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In the world of academia, presentation giving is commonplace. For many years while I was growing up, Powerpoint was the presentation software that dominated the landscape. That is likely still the case, but a young up and comer is likely taking its place in many classrooms out there. As I’ve admitted in the past, I’m an Apple fan boy, and I defend Apple software as much as possible. In many cases a program like Excel is needed. However, when it comes to presentation programs, Keynote blows Powerpoint away.

With its easier interface, its much nicer transitions and effects, Keynote is the presentation software that can really engage a crowd. A product that Steve Jobs kept to himself for years for his personal product keynote addresses, Keynote was a program that met his tough standards.

Keynote is cross compatible with Powerpoint, although make sure to look at your slides once you switch presentations from program to program, sometimes the conversation may move images and such.

Keynote, like Pages, is available for both Mac and iOS. It’s $19.99 for Mac and $9.99 for iOS.

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Many students out there have become accustomed to the service that many schools use call Canvas (formerly Blackboard). If the iPad is going to be the primary technological tool for a grad (maybe even the iPhone), this app will help them stay up to date on courses, assignments, grades, and class interactions!

This is a virtual must have for any student out there, and it’s free!

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One of the most no brainer apps out there for a student would be Dropbox. It’s simple, it’s a digital storage area where projects, homework, important documents, and really about anything can be stored.

One great feature of Dropbox, that students should be able to enjoy, is the ability to share folders. So if they are in a group project and want to share files, they can shared folders with others so everyone can access the groups files!

Dropbox has both iOS apps as well as a Mac app. So across devices you have easy access to any documents or files that you have stored.

Dropbox is free, unless you’d like more storage, and a great way for students to have their files stored!

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Passwords, we all have them, we all have thousands of them it seems.  If you are a recent high school grad, you probably have a lot of passwords, but the real world brings even more! That’s where an app like 1Password comes into play. 1Password is available for both iOS and Mac, and it gives you the best security you can find, while only having one password. Basically, you have a password to log into the app, and the app will do the password generation and filling for you. You can also store info like credit cards, bank accounts, notes, and more.

1Password also has its own browser for iOS, so you can do all your secure online activities through 1Password if you’d like.

1Password for iOS is $17.99, while it’s $49.99 for Mac.

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When a student ventures out on their own, the real world can be a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, there are so many apps available to make life easier. These are five that can help make things a little easier!