I’m halfway through a semester at ACU, which means a ten-week anniversary with my iPad. My iPad and I have a very strong relationship now. There are some people out there that are having issues with their iPads. Their devices become neglected and hidden away in a corner. Don’t let your device become a waste of tuition money. I want to tell you what I use my iPad for so that you can make the most of this “required” piece of hardware.

First, it has an alarm clock. Since I have 8 a.m. classes every day, it is great to wake up to some music instead of an obnoxious beeping sound.

Second, I can watch my money. With the app “Mint,” my finances are literally at my fingertips. I can watch what I spend, make budgets and, hopefully, invest sometime in the future.

Third, I can stay fit. There are so many apps that can track what you eat, how much you run, how many calories you’ve burned or even how well you sleep. I’m using an app that has a goal for me to do one hundred pushups nonstop. It has daily workouts to get me there. As of right now, I have a staggering record of twenty-two pushups. I’ll be Hercules in no time.

Fourth, organizing my ideas and keeping notes has never been easier. Since I have an iPad on me most of the time, I can jot down stories, tunes, phrases and lyrics as soon as they pop into my head. The comic strips I draw for The Optimist come from a long list of gags and jokes I’ve written down in my iPad.

Finally, and most importantly, I can play Pokémon. I have never played Pokémon until now because I never had a Gameboy or any other console as a kid. Thanks to my iPad, I can now catch up on the childhood that I never had. People say that I’ve been missing out, and they may be right.

So there are a few things that I do with my iPad. To some of you, this list is common sense, but there are others that don’t know the full potential of this device. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to decide whether I want a Bulbasaur, Charmander or a Squirtle. After that, maybe I’ll do some homework.