Students at Kansas State are cashing in on a new app that gives users deals and coupons to local stores for not using their phones while in class.
The app allows users to accrue points for the time their phone is locked while on campus, which the app determines by using the phone’s location services.
Meredith Clark, sophomore in nutritional sciences and Student Governing Association student promotional manager for Pocket Points, said she communicates and builds partnerships with businesses affiliated with Pocket Points that want to advertise to K-State students.
“My favorite reward is the ‘buy one, get one free’ at Mr. Goodcents,” Clark said. She said the app helps motivate her to stay focused in class.
Adam Carr, sophomore in human resources, said his favorite thing about the Pocket Points app is getting a free bagel with his drinks at Einstein Bros. Bagels and $2 off at Just Salad.
“It has given me more of a push to eat healthier foods,” Carr said.
Carr said he uses the app in most classes, or at least when he can remember to. He said he frequently uses the app in his Tuesday classes because there are double points offered on that day.
One tip Carr offered prospective users is to follow Pocket Points on Twitter for the promotional codes they occasionally tweet. The codes allow users to earn more points or rewards for staying off their phones during set times.
Trevyn Sell, senior in architectural engineering, said his favorite reward is getting free pizza at Jeff’s Pizza Shop. Sell was second on the app’s campus leaderboard for the week as of 10 p.m. Thursday night.
“I always use (Pocket Points) when I’m in class,” Sell said.
Sell said the app motivates him to stay off his phone in class, and instead of unlocking his phone every time he gets a new notification, he checks his lock screen and decides if it can wait until after class or not.
Pocket Points is available on the Google Play and Apple app stores.
