Inspiration
Our inspiration came from the heart of nature — the forest. Walking through the forest, we noticed how every leaf, every branch, and every tree is unique, yet together they create a harmonious, thriving ecosystem. This made us reflect on our school life at USYD: each student is like a leaf, carrying their own stories, dreams, and experiences. Alone we are fragile, but together, we form a living and breathing forest.
We imagined a place where this forest could flourish digitally, where every student could contribute and support one another. Just like in nature, every small action nurtures the whole. Through this metaphor, we felt inspired to create a platform that mirrors the beauty, unity, and endless possibilities of the forest.
The Forest Metaphor — Features as Forest Elements
Forum — the trees: provide structure and a space for ideas to grow.
Review — the sunlight: helps students see clearly and make better decisions.
Connect — the roots: supports mentorship, tutoring, and knowledge flow between students.
Marketplace — the cycle of fallen leaves: items get reused and given a second life.
What it does
Forum: Connect with other students at the university and exchange information.
Reviews: Evaluate student facilities to share recommendations or avoid potential issues.
Connect: Learn from others or teach your knowledge, with the option to earn money as a tutor.
Marketplace: Buy and sell second-hand items conveniently within the student community.
Overall, the platform helps students communicate, learn, share resources, and support each other anytime, anywhere.
How we built it
Tools we used: We relied on GitHub for collaboration and version control, and Firebase for hosting and database management.
Planning the structure: First, we mapped out the overall structure of the platform, defining the main sections and their purposes.
Core coding: We wrote the basic code for the four main categories: Forum*, **Reviews, Connect, and Marketplace.
Detailed expansion: Once the foundation was ready, we started to subdivide each section:
Forum: 12 different categories for varied discussions
Reviews: 4 subcategories for organized the feedback from different facilities.
Connect: distinguishing between students and tutors, with mentorship and paid tutoring options
Iteration and refinement: With the basic structure in place, we refined the design and functionality, ensuring each section could serve the community effectively.
Challenges we ran into
Platform reliability: Ensuring the web app could run 24/7 and handle multiple users simultaneously required extensive testing and debugging.
Database management: Using Firebase, we had to carefully structure data for four main categories (Forum, Reviews, Connect, Marketplace) and their subcategories to ensure smooth retrieval and updates.
Complex feature integration: Implementing features like 12 forum categories, 4 review subcategories, and student/tutor roles in Connect required careful planning to avoid bugs and ensure a consistent user experience.
Collaboration and version control: Coordinating the team on GitHub was sometimes tricky, especially when merging code or managing overlapping tasks.
Balancing functionality and simplicity: We had to make sure the platform was powerful enough to meet user needs while remaining easy to use, which required multiple design iterations.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
24/7 web platform: Successfully developed a reliable, always-available web app for students.
Structured and functional sections: Implemented four main categories (Forum, Reviews, Connect, Marketplace) with multiple subcategories, providing clear organization and usability.
Student-tutor system in Connect: Built a system allowing students to learn from tutors, including the option for paid tutoring for advanced contributors.
User-friendly design: Balanced functionality and simplicity, making the platform accessible while still offering robust features.
Real-world impact: Created a tool that allows students to share knowledge, buy/sell items, and connect with peers — meeting actual student needs.
What we learned
Turning ideas into reality: we learned how to transform an abstract metaphor — the forest — into a practical, functioning platform.
Listening and adapting: we learned to listen to feedback and adapt our designs to meet the real needs of students.
Problem-solving under uncertainty: we faced technical and organizational challenges, and learned that patience, iteration, and shared vision can overcome them.
The impact of small actions: even small features, like a helpful review or a single forum post, can ripple through the community.
Overall, we realized that creating this platform was not just about coding or design — it was about nurturing a living ecosystem of learning, support, and growth.
What's next for 24/7
Enhanced features: Adding new tools such as personalized recommendations, social, and advanced search to improve user experience.
Community growth: Encouraging more students to join and actively participate, increasing interactions and engagement.
Continuous feedback loop: Collecting user feedback regularly to refine existing features and prioritize future development.
Security and scalability: Strengthening security measures and ensuring the platform can scale smoothly as more users join. Maintains a list of banned words (screened words).
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