How to Use ChatGPT as a Student

A female college student uses ChatGPT for schoolwork on a computer in a classroom.

Since its public launch on November 30, 2022, ChatGPT has quickly become one of the most successful AI tools. The program allows users to interact with a chatbot that generates content based on their prompts. Unfortunately, its release has posed an issue for colleges and universities, as students have resorted to using the program to take shortcuts on their schoolwork or to substitute their original writing altogether.

However, ChatGPT shouldn’t be discredited. It’s a helpful tool, and there are plenty of good reasons to use it.

Here are five ideas on how you can use ChatGPT for schoolwork.

1. Be open.

Before you use ChatGPT for schoolwork, have conversations with your professors; explain to them how you’ll use it and learn what’s acceptable. Chances are, they have a way of detecting AI-written material, and if you don’t discuss this with them beforehand, it could be considered cheating. That’s why it’s best to be open and understand what their policies are before you use the program.

If your professors don’t allow the use of ChatGPT, make sure you respect their policies. Your professors only want to see you learn and grow, and relying on AI can stifle your potential.

2. Analyze.

If you’re writing a paper based on a survey or interviews you’ve conducted, ChatGPT is an excellent tool to help analyze the responses. It can help you find patterns in the results, group them and point out keywords, saving you the time it would take to do it manually. It can also break down your responses and give you statistics to use in your paper. Then, you can revise the content, check it for errors and use it to answer your research questions.

3. Summarize.

Have you ever read an article that you thought could be a resource for an assignment, only to realize that it had nothing to do with your topic? Or have you ever needed a guide to help you understand a long, complex reading assignment? Using ChatGPT for schoolwork can save time by breaking down the text for you and giving you some key takeaways. You should always go back and read for yourself, but ChatGPT can help you sort through which resources to use and help you understand difficult texts.

Perhaps you need to make a presentation about an assignment you’ve written. ChatGPT can help you come up with a summary and outline of your work. Or, maybe you don’t know how to continue an essay. Have ChatGPT summarize what you’ve written so far and define your tone and writing style. This can help give you direction on what to write next, help you stay consistent in your style and help you write more clearly.

4. Organize.

Most college students have busy lives and have trouble finding time to sit down and organize their schedules. If you need help creating an agenda, type your class times into ChatGPT. The AI will create a schedule for you and help you decide when you can work, take a break or participate in activities.

If you have an event such as a club meeting or group presentation, ChatGPT can help you organize the agenda, brainstorm themes or create a template for a slideshow. Provide details such as what the meeting or presentation is about and who is involved, and let the program help you get organized.

5. Edit and proofread.

If you need help editing or proofreading a paper, consider using ChatGPT as a tool. It can give you basic grammar edits, clarify your sentences and help you make the best word choice. Other grammar AI tools like Grammarly charge you for extra features like suggestions on tone and word choice, but ChatGPT gives you recommendations for free. It can also explain your mistakes to you so that you learn from them and become a better writer.

No matter how you use ChatGPT for schoolwork, make sure to use it responsibly and always double-check the accuracy of the results. Never use ChatGPT instead of doing your research, writing your own essay or in place of your own creativity. Instead, use the content it generates as a guide to spark your ideas and help you be more efficient. You will be amazed at how it can inspire you!

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