The biggest distraction for today's generation is obvious: electronics. As Millennials, we focus our minds on cell phones, computers, and video games rather than our studies. With a swipe of a finger to unlock them, cell phones are easily the biggest distraction during class. If you simply look around a lecture hall, you will see at least five people texting, two or three tweeting, and one trying to go unnoticed taking a selfie on Snapchat.
Have no fear, there is an app that will force you to pay attention in class while earning discounts at local establishments. What do college students love more than not paying attention in class? Free food. Developed in 2014 by Mitch Gardner and Rob Richardson at California State University, Chico, the Pocket Points app, helps students earn points based off of how long their phone is locked. One point is earned after approximately 20 minutes of having your phone locked, and you can also gain points faster if more people are using the app. These points can later be unlocked and exchanged for money off at stores or restaurants nearby.
Gardner said that they created the app to help solve the problem of students being unfocused, and so that in the long run, "students have a stronger incentive to remain focused in class." He also added that just a few weeks ago, the app was launched at 100 new schools, totaling to 175 schools. Pocket Points has already been featured in Time, The Washington Post, and even Forbes.
Pocket Points is a gift sent from above for college students: free food and better grades, what more could you want? This could potentially be the best app ever created for us phone addicts.
What's next for Pocket Points? Gardner says that he and Richardson have some cool ideas coming up in the future. We can all rejoice in the amazing discounts for now.
