Last updated Mar. 11, 2023 by Peter Jakes
Are you a college student searching for a method to earn some extra cash? Study Soup is an intriguing choice. Signing up to take notes in class can sometimes reward you with $300 — or more.
And there’s a reasonable probability that taking meticulous notes for this task can help you achieve better scores. Working as a notetaker for StudySoup is one method to supplement your income while in college.
The article “StudySoup Review: Is This a Legit Way to Make Money in College?” explains everything you need to know.
What is StudySoup?
StudySoup is a marketplace for students to learn from each other. It opened in 2014. Notes, helpful guides, and course materials made by students for students are all on StudySoup.
StudySoup has class notes for more than 1.2 million students and more than a million other documents you can use for study.
You can look at their top schools and subjects. StudySoup also has materials to help you prepare for tests like the MCAT. You can make money by uploading your notes to the platform. If they sell, you’ll get a small commission.
You only need an email address or a Facebook account to sign up. Signing up is free, but you must pay a subscription fee if you want to use other students’ notes (see below for the subscription price breakdown).
Remember that the site isn’t meant to help you find someone to write your term paper or give you information that will help you cheat or get out of work. It’s just a place to study, with notes and guides for each course.
StudySoup Review: Pros
- Get paid to accomplish something you’re already doing.
- Many students regard it well.
- Taking better notes can help you study more effectively.
- You may help others by using StudySoup.
StudySoup Review: Cons
- The payment mechanism of StudySoup is perplexing.
- You may not be able to sell notes, reducing your earning potential.
- Professors and your college may frown upon students selling notes.
- Poor Customer service complaints
Is StudySoup Legitimate?
StudySoup is a real website that allows students to make extra money by taking notes. Of course, it won’t make you a lot of money, but because it has so much to do with school, you might want to try it out.
On Glassdoor, you can read reviews from people who have used StudySoup before and from people who have reviewed it.
Those who liked it said it was a great way to make extra money while still in school. One person who gave StudySoup a good review noted that working for the company helped him get better grades because it made him pay more attention in class so he could take better notes.
Why wouldn’t you, as a student, want to make money doing something related to your classes and studies? You might as well keep studying and learning and make some money simultaneously.
If you want to be successful as an Elite Notetaker, putting together materials for standardized tests is an excellent way to make extra money and give yourself something to do when you’re not as busy.
People who had trouble with the site said that StudySoup’s customer service was slow to respond or that they didn’t get paid on time. Some users also noted that it wasn’t clear what to do to make money.
What Is an Elite Notetaker?
Elite Notetakers provides course notes and study guides to students with impairments and paying members. Finally, the students close the loop by paying for the notes they use.
Who can Become an Elite Notetaker?
You can become an Elite Notetaker in a class with 50 or more students or study for a test to get into grad school, like the MCAT.
The (free) application process for Elite Notetakers includes a training session. From there, you can start posting your notes and making money.
You don’t have to be able to write well or even take the most detailed notes. However, if your notes help you study, they might help someone else, too, so uploading them is worth a shot.
So do yourself a favor and type them up if you want to sell them better (and if you’re going to understand the material better, too!).
Once accepted as an Elite Notetaker, you can start uploading your class notes and study guides (one set per week per class). Most likely, typed materials will do better in the market, but you can still upload handwritten notes if you want.
How Do You Make Money on StudySoup?
You can start earning money simply by taking notes, and StudySoup’s Elite Notetaker gig is just what you’re looking for. So, how exactly does it work?
Elite Notetakers are in charge of posting two kinds of materials:
Class Notes
You updated the notes weekly for eight weeks. It features the most crucial takeaways from class discussions and assigned readings.
Study Guides
When you’re not uploading class notes, you need to upload a study guide for an exam, midterm, unit test, or final.
Each course needs three study guides. Each should summarize what you need to know for a big test and should be uploaded at least four days before the test. If you upload a set of notes or a study guide, you’ll get a 50% commission on each download. There is also a base pay of up to $60 for each study guide.
How Much Can You Earn With StudySoup?
StudySoup says that you can make up to $500 per course for up to two courses per semester. Of course, how much you make will depend on how many students are in your class. Some of the best Elite Notetakers have even said they got extra money at the end of a course.
Consequently, if you upload the notes you already bring to StudySoup, you could make more than $2,000 per school year.
Even though StudySoup doesn’t have a specific note format, your notes will be reviewed to ensure they’re good.
To approve your notes, ensure you give enough background information, organize them well, and write original content.
The company suggests uploading in PDF format, using templates like these, and uploading study materials that are longer than one page. The upload will help you get the OK from your classmates and get more downloads from them.
StudySoup Review: Referral Program
The referral program on StudySoup can help you make more money and reach your financial goals more quickly. After you sign up for the platform, you’ll get a referral code that you can send via email or post on Facebook.
When a friend signs up using your code and uploads their first class notes or study guides, you get $5.
StudySoup doesn’t say how many friends you can refer, so you can make a lot of money by telling your friends about the chance to make money.
What Can I Sell as a Student to Make Money
You can make money by selling study guides and notes. However, please remember that flashcards are not the same as study aids or class notes; hence, there is no compensation.
You are not required to utilize a specific method or structure when taking notes on this site. That is an excellent thing.
However, it suggests that you look at the notes taken by those skilled at taking notes. As a result, you can see what types of notes they most commonly use.
In addition, there is a “Hall of Fame” on the site where you can check which goods are producing money.
The service is intriguing since it allows you to create your notes and study guides using templates.
This is quite useful and might help you get started faster. To begin selling your notes, click the “Sell Your Materials” icon at the top right corner of the screen.
StudySoup Review: How Reliable is StudySoup?
StudySoup is a real company, and many who have taken notes for it received their pay. Even though some users say they get paid too little and have to wait a long time, there’s no reason to think the gig is a scam.
Most reviews on Glassdoor, which give StudySoup an average rating of four stars, talk about good times working on the platform.
You shouldn’t get in trouble with your school if you join StudySoup. Even though there are probably some wrong ideas about the site, you won’t be breaking college rules as long as you don’t plagiarize, which is also against StudySoup’s rules.
The company doesn’t like cheating, so it never sends old tests or essays that can be downloaded. So, they will ask you to write study guides that help your peers do well in school.
How to Make Money as a Student Online
● Take Up Freelancing
You can earn money online as a freelancer if you are strong at writing, programming, editing, photography, design, or any other ability. You only need to sign up as a freelancer on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Truelancer. Then you can begin marketing your abilities to prospective clients.
● Start Tutoring Online
College students continuously learn new things, so sharing part of this knowledge is an easy way to earn money online. Moreover, you only need a fast internet connection to tutor schoolchildren or provide courses for individuals who wish to learn something new.
You may either sign up with a virtual tutoring site like Udemy, SkillShare, or Coursera or promote your online tutoring classes to friends and family on social media.
● Beta Testing Apps and Websites
With almost every student having a phone or computer, testing out apps and websites is a good way for college students to make money on the side.
When a company or app developer creates a new website or app, they hire people to test it. It is called “Beta Testing.”
You need to try out their websites or apps and tell them how you use them. It would be best to let them know about any bugs or problems you found before they go live to the public.
You can sign up for these jobs on sites like beta testing, Tester Work, Test.io, and TryMyUI.
StudySoup Review: How Much Does StudySoup Pay?
During our research, we found that the site isn’t clear about how much notetakers can make per note or study guide. In addition, the way payments are made is a little strange.
In simple terms, the site says you can make up to $500 per course. So, that sounds pretty good. However, there are a few more things about payment on the site:
When people download or buy your course materials, you get a 50% commission. For every subscription that a study guide brings in, you get $35.
A new registration is a subscription in which a customer pays the company for products and services over time. You also get an extra $2 each time a customer or free trial user adds your content to their library.
They call it “unlocking.” Keep in mind that the way you pay can be a little confusing.
Students can, on average, make up to $500 per class. You can get paid for up to three classes, making $1,500 or more for those three classes.
What are Karma Points?
StudySoup has its currency called “Karma Points,” which students can use to get the materials they need for their classes. Those who sign up and pay for the subscription automatically get Karma Points.
You can also get Karma Points by becoming an Elite Notetaker. With those points, you can buy more notes and study guides from other Elite Notetakers.
If you want to join to get access to notes and study guides, there are three ways to do so:
- $133.87 for a year, or $11 per month
- $133.87 for six months (1 semester) or $22 per month
- One month costs $32.87.
Subscriptions are non-refundable, and you will be charged immediately after subscribing.
Can You Sell Your Notes Online?
You definitely can, and many of the best note-selling websites have thousands or millions of students who buy notes from other students.
However, it’s important to remember that while selling your notes is an easy way to make some extra cash to help out with school, it’s probably not going to make you rich.
Just like we already said in this review, if you like the idea of selling college notes for entire courses to get paid, StudySoup is a good website like OneClass you can make money with.
How Much Can You Make From OneClass?
As a OneClass Note Taker, you will:
- Get paid for uploading your weekly lecture notes from college.
- Gain great experience that will look great on your resume
- Help other college students get ready for their midterms and finals.
Also, 60% of students who start taking notes get better grades (according to an Annual Note Taker Survey)
You will receive OneClass credits for each university lecture note, textbook note, chapter summary, or study guide you upload to OneClass. You can redeem the credits for the following:
- Obtaining more notes and study guides from your university
- Prepaid Mastercard
- Cash payments via PayPal and other options
Becoming a University Note Taker will require you to:
- Upload Weekly unit notes.
- Contribute your unit’s syllabus
- Please include the ISBN of the textbook you used for your units.
- Assist with creating a midterm and final exam study guide for your units.
Bottom Line
Overall, StudySoup is a legitimate firm that allows college students to earn money by doing what they already do. However, there are a few aspects of the site that I did not enjoy—specifically, the perplexing pay structure.
The site claims you can “earn up to $500 each course” but doesn’t go into any detail. A 50% commission is also mentioned.
Keeping up with your coursework is difficult, but you must also worry about paying for college living expenses, budgeting, and impending student loans.
College is difficult! Making extra money through a service like StudySoup can be a wise way to save money, pay your tuition, and reduce future debt.
Frequently Asked Questions related to StudySoup
How do I cancel StudySoup?
You can cancel any ongoing billing by clicking the “Cancel Subscription” button in the Edit Account Settings section of your Service User Profile. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with them at [email protected]. Cancellations will take effect within seven business days.
Can you get paid to take notes for people?
StudySoup is looking for Elite Notetakers to join its team. As an Elite Notetaker, you can make up to $500 per course by helping other students keep track of their notes.
How does StudySoup Pay?
For each new customer, the site releases your payment two to five business days after your exam date. And Unlocks are paid for 3–7 days after the last test in a course. After that, you get paid right into your PayPal account.
How do you make money from OneClass?
- 1. Submit Application: Fill out a brief application indicating which classes you’d like to take notes for.
- 2. Performance Trial Period: Submit a sample of your registered classes’ notes. Reward with a Gift Card
- 3. Begin Taking Notes: Upload your notes every week to make a lasting impact on a student in need!3
