In this article, we’ll show you some of the most effective ways that you can use Alexa to become a better student and how to set them up within minutes.

1. The Flashcard Blueprint

The Flashcard Blueprint makes an excellent alternative for the stack of cards many students use. The blueprint lets you create a customized skill to help master any topic for an upcoming exam. If you’re looking to use the skill for multiple modules, creating different skills for each subject is advisable.

To use the Flashcard Blueprint:

Navigate to the More tab on the Alexa app, available for iOS and Android, and tap Blueprints. Tap the Learning section, press Flashcards, then Make Your Own. Type in a suitable topic name for your subject. Then, fill out the terms, definitions, and the hint. Repeat until you have enough flashcards (remember, you can always add more later. ) Tap Next: Experience. Customize your welcome message, greetings, and exit message if desired. You can also set the number of card repetitions here. Finally, tap Next: Name and set the name of your skill to something suitable for the subject. For example, “Math Flashcards. " Then, tap Create Skill.

To use the skill, say, “Alexa, open [name of Flashcard skill].”.

2. The Quiz Blueprint

Like the Flashcard Blueprint, you can teach Alexa to ask questions about anything you like. The critical difference is that while the Flashcard skill will test you on terms and definitions, the Quiz skill will ask open-ended questions, such as “Who invented the telescope?”. Once you create the skill, you can play with up to four people—perfect for lighthearted group study sessions.

How to set up the Quiz Blueprint:

Navigate to the More tab on the Alexa app and tap Blueprints. Tap the Learning section, press Quiz, then Make Your Own. Delete the example questions, then begin adding your own. Repeat until you feel you have enough questions (you can always come back and edit them later. ) Tap Next: Experience. Customize your welcome message, greetings, and quiz responses if desired. Here, you can also edit the sounds played when a question is wrong/right. Note, that some default sounds could be distracting if trying to concentrate. Finally, tap Next: Name and set the name of your skill to something applicable to the subject. For example, “Chemistry Quiz. ” Then, tap Create Skill.

Just say, “Alexa, open [name of Quiz skill]" to use the skill.

3. Ask for Definitions, Spellings, and Synonyms

A handy feature Alexa offers is asking for definitions, spellings, and synonyms—no third-party Alexa skills are required. If you’re ever struggling with writing, use the built-in dictionary and thesaurus.

You can say things like:

“Alexa, what’s the definition of cantankerous?” “Alexa, how do you spell parliament?” “Alexa, give me a synonym for emphatic. ”

4. Reading From Wikipedia

Need a bit more information about a topic but don’t want to interrupt your flow? Just ask Alexa to read from the Wikipedia page.

To read from Wikipedia:

Alexa will read the first paragraph from the article, then ask you if you’d like to hear more. If you say “Yes,” Alexa will read the next paragraph, then repeat the question. Say “Alexa, stop” when you’ve heard enough.

5. Reading From Audible

If you have an Audible account, Alexa can play any audiobook in your library easily. This is an excellent feature if you’re studying a particular book, as Alexa recognizes chapters and can quickly stop, start, rewind or fast-forward at any point.

6. Playing Ambient Noises

Background noise boosts our ability to effectively make decisions and find different perspectives. It’s no surprise then that many students find ambient noises help them study.

One of the best Alexa skills for background noise is Ambient Sounds by Sleep Jar. The skill offers more 100 different sounds, from rainstorms to white noise, to the chorus of seagulls.

To use the Ambient Sounds skill:

Once you install the Alexa skill, you can say, “Alexa, ask Ambient Sounds to play [desired sound]. ” To stop, just say, “Alexa, stop. ” You can also say something like, “Alexa, stop in three hours” if you’d like a custom timer.

7. Set Alarms and Timers

Setting regular timers and alarms is essential for any good study practice. Luckily, Alexa has built-in alarms and timers for you to use at your disposal.

To set an alarm:

Say, “Alexa, set an alarm for [time]. ” You can also say things like “Alexa, set an alarm for [time] on [day],” or “Alexa, set an alarm for [time] tomorrow. ” For example, “Alexa, set an alarm for 4 p. m. on Tuesday. ”

To set a timer:

Say, “Alexa, set a timer for [length of time]. ” If you need multiple timers, you can give the timer a label by saying, “Alexa, set a [label] timer for [length of time]. " For example, “Alexa, set a laundry timer for 45 minutes. ”

You can also go into the Alexa app, tap More, then Alarms & Timers. Here, you can set new alarms/timers, delete old ones and review all of your existing alarms/timers.

8. Set Reminders

If there’s one universal grumble of all students, it’s the number of deadlines and commitments to keep track of. Alexa can relieve the pressure by acting as your personal planner. While the reminder will play on the Alexa device you set it on, you’ll also receive a notification via the Alexa app, so don’t worry if you’re out of the house.

To set a reminder via voice:

You can say, “Alexa, set a reminder," and Alexa will ask you what you’d like to be reminded of and when you’d like to be reminded. Alternatively, you can say, “Alexa, set a reminder for [task] at [time and date]. ” For example, “Alexa, set a reminder for my chemistry exam at 2 p. m. on Friday. ”

To set a reminder via the Alexa app:

Go into the Alexa app, tap More, then Reminders. Tap the Plus (+) to begin adding a new reminder. Here, you can fill out the details about what you need to be reminded of and when Alexa should remind you.

9. Add Items to Your To-Do List

Finally, Alexa can also keep track of your to-do list. Similar to its ability to add reminders, Alexa can log all of your academic obligations without needing a pen and paper. It’s easy to retrieve your to-do list: just ask Alexa, or check in the Alexa app.

To add, retrieve and delete items to your to-do list via voice:

To add an item, say, “Alexa, add [item] to my to-do list. ” To hear what’s on your to-do list, just ask, “Alexa, what’s on my to-do list?” To remove an item, say, “Alexa, remove [item] from my to-do list. " To remove everything from your to-do list, say, “Alexa, clear my to-do list. "

To add, retrieve and delete items to your to-do list via the Alexa app:

Go into the Alexa app, tap More, then Lists. Tap To-Do. Tap the Plus (+) to add an item. Tap the checkbox next to your item to remove it from your active to-do list. Tap the name of your item to edit. Once an item is complete, you can swipe left on the item to either restore or permanently delete the item.

Practicing With Alexa Can Lead to Positive Results

Now that you know precisely how Alexa can assist when you’re burning the midnight oil, it’s time to put these methods into practice. Take action and start by setting up your very own Flashcard skill, and see what difference it makes to your study practice.

Ultimately, Alexa is a wonderful smart assistant, so make sure that you take the initiative to help you get those straight A’s and succeed in your academic ambitions.