Note Taking Translates into Cash

By Jami Brinton, Reporter

Tools

By Jami Brinton

Story Created: Feb 4, 2009 at 5:37 PM CST

Story Updated: Feb 4, 2009 at 5:37 PM CST

IOWA CITY - A new trend at universities throughout the country seems to be helping students learn while earning some money.

Taking notes in class used to be just about writing down key excerpts from a professor's lecture to learn the material.

Who would have thought that a company would actually pay you for your notes and make them available to other students, for free?

Beginning this semester, StudyBlue.com allows students to post their classroom notes and flashcard decks on the site and earn cash.

Students earn cash rewards for the study materials they post.

Twenty-five dollars for every 25 files or flashcards uploaded, plus you get an extra 50 cents when a website user looks at your notes.

Some students say it's a nice to way earn some cash for what they're already doing.

"I don't use the site as a crutch for the notes," said Jared Garfield.
"You know everyone misses a class here or there, you're sick or have to travel. I think it's a good supplemental. I don't think it's a replacement of your own notes or definitely not the slacker path."

Garfield also told me that several of his friends use the website.

He said that he's aware of professors at the U-I who actually encourage foreign language students to use the flashcards posted on the site to help them learn the new language.

Here's how the money side works: students can cash out of their account after they reach 25 dollars.

They receive the money via check or as a deposit into their PayPal account.

From now through June 15, each student can earn up to 5-thousand dollars for posting their notes on the site.

The University had no comment.

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