As for a amazing note taking app check out complete class organizer. I just downloaded it for college myself and it's turning out to be one of the best apps I've ever bought. Grade calculation, audio recording that synchs with the words you write at the same time for easy play back, web and picture attachment to your notes, iPad calendar support within the app, textbook finder, and man just way too many things to explain but seriously check it out. It's perfect for note taking on every aspect. $4.99 for it. Only one that pops up when you type in complete class organizer.
And for word excel and PowerPoint get the apple equivalents, pages(word) numbers(excel) and keynote(PowerPoint). They're what apple developed to compete with Microsoft office software and just about exactly the same, all the same features, templates, fonts, equations, slide transitions, and when you buy each it will come with a doc telling you how to do every single thing on it. They're $9.99 each and definitely all you'll need to type papers, make spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations for college I can promise you that!
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