Study Net

Inspiration

Many neurodivergent students struggle to study, revise, and learn using traditional methods that are designed for the majority of learners. Existing study tools are often generic and fail to provide the personalization needed for different learning styles.

This project is also deeply personal to our team. Two of us have parents who are neurodivergent, so we understand how challenging education can be without the right support. We wanted to create a platform that helps the next generation of neurodivergent students reach their full potential without facing the same barriers—especially in college, where grades and academic performance have a significant impact on future opportunities.

What it does

Study Net is a personalized study platform designed to support students from all neurodivergent backgrounds. It helps users discover learning techniques that work best for them while providing a supportive learning environment.

Key features include:

Personalized revision and study advice
Resource library with accessible learning materials
Study groups to encourage collaboration and peer support
User accounts with customizable profiles
Adjustable settings for a personalized experience

How we built it

We began by following the Waterfall development methodology. First, we gathered requirements and researched the needs of neurodivergent learners before designing the structure of our application.

As a team, we created algorithms and two flowchart diagrams to map out the user journey and application logic. Brainstorming played a huge role in shaping our final product, and we continuously refined our ideas throughout development.

We used AI-assisted ("vibe") coding with Gemini AI to develop the web application. We regularly wrote detailed prompts, tested new features, critiqued the results, and improved the application through multiple iterations. Finally, we carried out beta testing by using the application as real users would, identifying bugs, usability issues, and opportunities for improvement.

Challenges we ran into

Our original flowchart had several gaps, and after reviewing it with Gemini AI, we realised our project scope was too broad. We redesigned the flowchart to create a more focused and achievable product.
Early in development, we accidentally built the project on a platform that required payment to export the source code. Near the end of the hackathon, we discovered this limitation and had to manually transfer the code into GitHub, which cost valuable time.

Although these challenges were frustrating, they helped us improve our teamwork, planning, and problem-solving skills.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We collaborated exceptionally well as a team, combining our individual strengths and supporting one another throughout the hackathon.
We successfully applied computational thinking principles, particularly decomposition and abstraction, to break down complex problems into manageable tasks.
We significantly improved our coding skills and gained valuable experience using AI-assisted development tools.
Despite travel disruptions caused by Pride Festival events, we successfully completed a fully functional web application within the 12-hour hackathon.

What we learned

Always research your development platform before starting a hackathon. Choosing the wrong platform can create unnecessary obstacles later in the project.
The Waterfall methodology worked well for this hackathon because it helped us define clear requirements, organise our time effectively, and stay focused throughout development.
Iterative testing and continuous feedback greatly improved the quality and usability of our application.

What's next for Study Net

Our next goal is to expand Study Net by partnering with schools, colleges, and local communities so more neurodivergent students can benefit from personalized learning support. We also plan to continue developing the platform by adding new accessibility features, improving AI-driven recommendations, widening the broad of the study group by making a discord or WhatsApp community and using user feedback to make the experience even more effective and inclusive.