When college hits, many students like to run to the internet for sanctuary from stress. However, rather than just helping you escape from the pressures of heavy class loads, some websites can actually be problem-solvers as well.

Lifehacker.com

When leaving the comforts of home for the demands of the real world, some students come to the horrible realization that they do not know everything. Fortunately, there is Lifehacker, a website dedicated to giving advice on technology as well as the normal, day-to-day trials. At Lifehacker, users can find a large variety of articles covering topics such as how to improve your credit score, where to find the best smartphone apps for organization, and even how to fix furniture with mayonnaise.  In the chance that Lifehacker does not have an article for your question, users can send a request to the staff for free.

Linkedin.com

Facebook may be one of the largest social networks, but that does not mean it is the only one you should use. Linkedin is the network to join if you want a little boost in finding potential employers. According to Eric Spellman of Spellman Associates, an Amarillo company that specializes in helping businesses with online branding, Linkedin is a good website for small businesses and other professionals to network in their respective industries.

Paperrater.com and Noodletools.com

These two sites share the third spot on this list because both teach writing a better paper. If you’re strapped for time, Paperrater can give a quick and accurate assessment of an essay’s grammar, spelling, and usage. Just cut and paste the article into its editor, and it will grade your paper. Writing a proper bibliography can be just as tricky as writing the essay itself, unless you know to use Noodletools. Noodletools helps by showing how to cite a source and write an accurate bibliography according to MLA or AP styles.

Cracked.com

Sometimes all you really need is a good laugh to help unwind, and while there are plenty of comedy websites to browse, Cracked is unique. Unlike its competitors, Cracked offers the reader an opportunity to learn as they laugh. The Cracked.com staff writes articles over real-world topics such as religion, pop culture, history, economics and news. All articles are backed up by legitimate research done by respected experts in the topics being discussed. In fact, the writers regularly put links in their articles to cite their facts in order to allow readers to judge the writers’ works for themselves. Some of Cracked’s writers do include some mature content in their articles, such as descriptions of violence or adult language, so be aware.

StumbleUpon.com

For web junkies who do not like to spend hours browsing through Google, there is StumbleUpon. StumbleUpon works like flipping through channels on a TV, except the “channels” in this case are websites. All you need to do is fill out a profile and choose the kind of websites you need, and Stumbleupon will lead you through the rest.