While technology like smartphones, iPads and the Internet are usually considered to be a distraction from finals studying, there are also ways to use them to your advantage while you’re trying to cram for exams. Whether you’re calculating the grades you need to pass or trying to memorize facts, as always, there’s an app for that.

h2. SelfControl for Mac

This OS X application will block access to certain websites, but still allow you to get to the rest of the Web. For example, you can set the app to block your Facebook, email, Twitter and any other distractions for a certain length of time, such as 30 minutes or three hours. The best — and worst — part: Once you start the timer, there’s no stopping it. Even if you delete the program or turn off your computer, you can’t get to those sites until the time runs out. There’s no turning back!

h2. Flash Card Apps

Flash cards are a key study tool, but carrying them everywhere can be a hassle. Fortunately, there are apps for Mac, iPhone, Android and iPad that provide the usefulness of flash cards with the convenience of constantly having them with you. There are a lot of applications out there for this, both free and with a low cost. Some even allow you to upload premade flash cards from certain websites, along with the option of making your own. The best part is that you can easily review your cards anywhere, from the library to the bus ride to class, without having to deal with the stack of paper.

h2. Content-Specific Apps

There are plenty of applications out there to be your personal tutor in whatever subject you need. Depending on your market, you can download apps for history, physics, psychology and many other topics. Some are better and more specific than others, so reading the reviews before downloading is always a good idea.

h2. iTunes U

This treasure trove is full of podcast lectures on various topics. Although the University does not have much available, there are lectures by professors at other major universities on everything from U.S. history to anatomy to computer programming. This is a useful tool if you’re suddenly realizing that you’ve, ahem, missed a few classes this semester and are looking for a basic overview of the topic. Keep in mind, however, that these podcasts are given by professors teaching other classes and may not be specific to what you need to know for your own exams.

h2. Grade Calculators

If you’re trying to figure out how hard to study for that final in order to pass the class, these apps will make your life easier.

There are plenty available on the markets, and each works differently, but this app will allow you to calculate the exact scores you need to pull off a certain grade in the class.

Basically, you’ll put in the percentages each assignment in a class is worth and keep track of what grades you have received. From there, you can estimate your final exam results to predict a final grade or choose a goal for your final grade and calculate how well you need to do on the exam.

h2. U of I’s GPA Calculator

Luckily for students, the University provides simple ways to calculate and predict your GPA, app-free. Online, the Office of the Registrar gives simple instructions on how to figure out your GPA for the semester and directions for how to find your cumulative GPA on your transcripts. The advising department also provides a very easy to use GPA calculator online — just type in your cumulative GPA, total graded hours and grade and credit hours for each class you’re taking this semester, and it will compute your semester and cumulative GPA so far.