Category: Task Managers

Apple Reminders vs Things 3 for Students

Persona: Student | Focus: You need a task app just for school and exams that is quick to learn and easy to stop using later.

1-Second Verdict

Best choice

Apple Reminders

Best for students who need academic task tracking for a term.

Things 3 fails first because learning the app takes longer than the term.

Verdict

Apple Reminders wins for students who only need academic task tracking for a term. You can create simple lists for each class and start immediately. Things 3 introduces projects, areas, and planning views that take time to understand. If learning the app takes longer than the term, Things fails first.

Rule: If learning the app takes longer than the term, Things fails first.

Quick filter

Easy to quit later

Open full filter →

Things 3 fails first (Hard to stop quickly).

Choose Apple Reminders.

Why this matters for Students

You said you need tasks only for school and exams. As a student, you want something you can set up quickly and abandon after the semester ends. Spending time learning a system reduces the benefit of a short term tool.

Where Things 3 wins

Structured system with Areas, Projects, and headings
You can organize subjects deeply, but understanding how Areas differ from Projects takes time.
Today and Upcoming views tied to scheduled tasks
You see deadlines clearly, yet learning how scheduling interacts with projects adds a small learning curve.
Clean interface designed around long term planning
It supports ongoing productivity, but that depth may exceed a single term need.

Where Apple Reminders wins

Simple lists that can be named after each class
You can create a list per subject without understanding project structures.
Quick task entry with optional due dates
You can add assignments in seconds without navigating planning views.
No required system to maintain after exams
You can delete or ignore lists once the term ends with no cleanup process.

Where each tool can break down

Things 3 (Option Y)

Fails when

You spend time understanding Areas and Projects instead of simply listing assignments.

What to do instead

Use Apple Reminders if you want immediate academic tracking.

Apple Reminders (Option X)

Fails when

You need more structured long term planning across multiple life areas.

What to do instead

Use Things 3 if your academic work extends into ongoing personal systems.

When this verdict might flip

If you plan to continue using the app beyond school and want a structured system for long term projects, Things 3 may justify its learning curve.

Quick decision rules

If you need quick setup for one semester, choose Apple Reminders.
If learning a system feels like extra work, avoid Things 3.
If you want a long term productivity structure, Things 3 may fit better.

FAQs

Is Things 3 difficult to learn?

It is clean but introduces concepts like Areas and Projects that require a short learning period.

Can Apple Reminders handle exam deadlines?

Yes, you can set due dates and reminders for exams and assignments easily.

Which app is easier to stop using after school?

Apple Reminders is easier to abandon because it does not require maintaining a structured system.

Does Things 3 support academic projects well?

Yes, it supports structured projects, but that depth may exceed short term academic needs.