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yuval mehta
yuval mehta

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I Built a Free Web App with Tools Students Actually Need

Introduction

As a developer and student, I constantly found myself searching for simple online tools like paraphrasers, calculators, or essay expanders. Most of what I found was either:

  • Overcomplicated
  • Hidden behind paywalls
  • Required sign-up just to access basic features

This made me realize there’s room for a better solution—something clean, fast, and genuinely useful. That’s what inspired Tools for Students: a no-login suite of web tools designed to help students be more productive.

🔗 https://toolsforstudents.netlify.app


What is “Tools for Students”?

Tools for Students is a growing collection of browser-based utilities tailored to academic needs. These tools are:

  • Instant-use: No login or registration required
  • Lightweight and mobile-friendly
  • Designed with performance and usability in mind

Tools Available

Here are some of the tools currently live:

  1. Paraphrasing Tool

    Helps reword text for essays and assignments while preserving meaning.

  2. Essay Expander

    Adds depth and elaboration to brief essay content, useful for drafts and brainstorming.

  3. GPA Calculator

    Calculates weighted or unweighted GPA quickly and accurately.

  4. Basic Calculator

    Simple math operations, always one click away.

Upcoming tools include a text summarizer, citation builder, and grammar checker.


Why This Project Matters

Most online tools either overcomplicate the experience or gatekeep basic functionality behind accounts or paywalls. This project takes a different approach:

  • Everything runs in the browser
  • No accounts or personal data needed
  • Designed specifically for student workflows

It’s built with simplicity and speed at the core.


Technical Overview

  • Frontend Only: HTML, Tailwind CSS, and lightweight JS Framework
  • Hosting: Deployed on Netlify as a static site
  • Performance: Optimized for fast loading and minimal page weight
  • No Backend: Tools operate entirely in-browser, which also makes maintenance easier

This architecture keeps hosting costs low while ensuring high availability.


What’s Next

  • Expanding the number of tools
  • Adding keyboard shortcuts and UI refinements
  • Integrating more educational utilities based on feedback

If you're a student or educator, give it a try and let me know what else you'd like to see.

🔗 Visit Tools for Students

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Joy White • Edited

The WGU Portal is the official student platform for Western Governors University, providing access to courses, assessments, and academic resources. It allows students to track their progress, connect with mentors, and manage their schedules. Designed for flexibility, the portal supports WGU’s competency-based learning model.