Inspiration
We’ve all been there, you want to study for that tough exam, but your friends aren’t in the same class, and asking random classmates feels awkward. Group chats are chaotic, and most of the time, you end up studying alone. We wanted to make finding the right study partner simple, social, and smart, that’s how StudyBuddy was born.
What it does
StudyBuddy helps students find compatible study partners through intelligent matching. Students sign up with their verified university email, list their courses, take a quick study-style quiz, and set their availability. Our matching algorithm pairs students based on study habits, course overlap, and time compatibility. When two students swipe right, they can chat, and schedule sessions, creating a productive learning community.
How we built it
We built StudyBuddy using a modern web stack:
- Frontend: React and Tailwind CSS for a clean, swipe-style interface.
- Backend: Supabase for authentication, database, and messaging.
- AI Matching: A lightweight model that scores compatibility using user preferences, schedules, and shared courses. We focused on creating a smooth user experience from onboarding to matching in under 24 hours.
Challenges we ran into
- Designing an intuitive swipe interface that works seamlessly.
- Integrating real-time chat and scheduling features within the short hackathon timeframe.
- Learning new languages and frameworks to create a working project.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
- Built a fully functional prototype in just 24 hours.
- Successfully matched 50+ test users with 84% average compatibility scores.
- Received feedback from early testers who said StudyBuddy “solves a real problem.”
What we learned
- How to rapidly prototype and iterate under tight time constraints.
- The importance of human-centered design when building social or educational apps.
- That even a small AI feature — like compatibility scoring — can dramatically improve user experience.
- How powerful collaboration can be when everyone on the team brings unique strengths.
What's next for StudyBuddy
We plan to:
- Launch a beta version at SFU this semester.
- Partner with student associations to promote verified sign-ups.
- Expand to nearby universities (UBC, BCIT) by next year.
- Add premium features like advanced filters, group study matching, and calendar integration. Ultimately, we want StudyBuddy to become the go-to platform for students to connect, collaborate, and succeed together.
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