What if you had a digital file cabinet where you could keep word documents, pictures, audio recording, web snippets, email and contacts? What if this file cabinet could be accessed on any computer connected to the Internet – oh and did I mention you can access it on your phone as well? Ya, that’s right, they got an app for that.

This magical file cabinet I speak of is called Evernote. I stumbled upon this tool when I was trying to find a good note taking program for my laptop. After using Evernote for a while, I can honestly say, I don’t know how I would live without it.

Features

Chances are, if you can see it or think of it, Evernote can help you remember it. With Evernote you can:

• Type a text note.
• Clip a web page.
• Snap a photo.
• Grab a screenshot.

Evernote then instantly syncs your data so that it’s available on your computer, phone, and on the web. Everything you capture is automatically processed, indexed, and made searchable. If you like, you can add tags or organize notes into different notebooks. Search for notes by keywords, titles, and tags. Evernote magically makes printed and handwritten text inside your images searchable, too.

How it is Useful for Students

There are literally thousands of ways to use Evernote. Here are the ways I use it.

• Class Notes. Keep notes from your classes all in one place. You can also take a picture of a whiteboard and you’ll be able to find it later.
• Research. So you’re doing research at the library on your laptop. Instantly clip pages directly from your browser or take a photo with your phone of a book or newspaper article. Evernote will index it and make it searchable.
• Favorite Things. Keep a record of your favorite foods, drinks, wines, or beers by snapping a photo of the label when you find one you like. Great for grocery shopping
• To-Do Lists. Remember the things you were supposed to remember. Create to-do lists, jot down random thoughts, leave a voice memo, and more.
• Idea Journal. Don’t have a pen and paper? No worries. Jot down ideas when they come to you on your phone and have it available when you get home on your computer.

Get Started

Head on over to Evernote.com and sign up for a free account. It works on both Mac and PC computers. Make sure to pick up the Evernote app for you phone too – supports almost every phone out there.

The only thing Evernote can’t do is sync Microsoft Word documents. This feature is available in the paid version of Evernote, which is only 5 dollars a month, but for the sake of keeping things free, check out my review of Dropbox. I personally use both Dropbox and Evernote to keep myself organized. So now’s your chance – quit procrastinating, and organize your life!

How do you stay organized? I would love to hear your input in the comments below.