The best to-do app is the one you still open in week ten. That depends less on features and more on how you work. Here's a straight comparison of popular choices and who each one suits.
What students actually need
- Your classes in it without retyping. If you have to copy every assignment by hand, you'll stop.
- A clear "today" view. Not a giant backlog, just what matters now.
- Reminders that reach your phone.
- A reason to come back. Streaks, progress, anything that makes opening it feel good.
The options
Apple Reminders or Google Tasks
Free, already on your phone, simple. Great for errands. Weak for school because nothing comes in from Canvas and there's no motivation built in.
Todoist
Fast, clean and great at typing tasks in plain words like "essay Friday 5pm". Powerful for people who like organizing. Doesn't connect to Canvas on its own, and the best features need a paid plan.
Notion
Endlessly flexible, and you can build a beautiful student dashboard. The flip side is setup time: many students spend more time building the system than using it.
Student planners (like myHomework or MyStudyLife)
Built around classes and schedules, which is a real plus. Depending on your school, you may still be typing assignments in yourself.
lum9a
lum9a is a to-do list built for students, with a game on top. Paste your Canvas calendar link once and assignments show up by themselves. Add life tasks in plain words. Every task you finish earns XP and Glow, and your pixel character Lumi builds out a little world. It's free, with an optional Plus upgrade that removes ads and adds cosmetic extras.
Best for: students who want Canvas handled automatically and need a reason to actually open their list. Not ideal for: people who want deep project management or team boards.
Quick comparison
- Reads Canvas automatically: lum9a (via your Calendar Feed). Others usually need manual entry or extra tools.
- Fastest typing: Todoist and lum9a both understand plain words like "essay fri 5pm".
- Most flexible: Notion.
- Already on your phone: Apple Reminders and Google Tasks.
- Built-in motivation: lum9a (XP, streaks, a world that grows).
Questions to ask before you commit
- Where do my deadlines come from? If it's mostly Canvas, automatic import will save you hours over a semester.
- Will I open it every day? Be honest about past apps you've abandoned and why.
- Does it work on my phone and laptop? Your list needs to follow you to class.
- What does it cost after the trial? Free tiers that cover the basics are better than a trial that ends mid-semester.
A setup that works for most students
Keep it simple: one list for everything due, a calendar for classes and events, and a short check-in every night. Many students use their phone calendar for class times and a to-do app for assignments. The key is that every deadline lives in exactly one list, so you never have to wonder whether you checked the right place.
How to choose in 2 minutes
- If your work lives in Canvas, pick something that reads your Canvas feed.
- If you've quit apps before, pick something that rewards you for coming back.
- If you love building systems, Notion. If you love speed, Todoist.
Whatever you pick, give it two full weeks before switching. The habit matters more than the app.