The Internet is becoming a helpful tool to college students seeking to improve their grades.

A new Web site, www.TheClassConnection.com, is aiming to help students to get better grades in less time.

Created by two UW-Madison students, “TheClassConnection” is becoming a great resource at the college level.

“We want to help students to study more efficiently, cutting their study time,” said Benn Jedd, chief of communications for the site.

Sharing notes, flash cards, study and test reminders and online study groups are some of the many tools that the site offers to help students achieve better grades, he added.

Another tool that “TheClassConnection” offers is chapter summaries for over 100 textbooks and class notes from students all over the country.

“A student from UW-Eau Claire can share his notes with other students from Harvard or Princeton,” Jedd said. “We have students from more than 600 colleges.”

To encourage students to share their notes, “TheClassConnection” is offering up to $100 for those who take good notes and want to get paid for them.

According to the Web site, students are able to connect with other classmates through a social network that they offer and online study groups can be created as well.

Despite the site’s growth, some students are unaware of it. Students like junior Danielle Smith had never heard of it. However, she said she was interested in what “TheClassConnection” has to offer.

“I believe it is a great idea,” Smith said. “I think the idea that you can talk with your classmates online and get help with your classes sounds really interesting. I might check it out.”

Obtaining notes online is not a suitable substitute for taking notes in class, said accounting department chair D’Arcy Becker.

“In my opinion, the ability to listen to someone and get the essence of their message is extremely necessary for success in life,” Becker said.

Senior Kenneth Hartman agreed that students should take their own notes and not rely on a Web site.

“A student is in college to learn how to think, analyze and think for themselves,” Hartman said. “People aren’t always going to give you nice organized notes or information so that you can do well in something. You should have to do your own work.”

If a student’s grade point average fails to improve after one semester using their tools, “TheClassConnection” founders are offering online tutoring worth $1,000, from www.smartthinking.com, Jedd said.

“The students should go check out our Web site and see the options that they have to help their studies.”