3 helpful ChatGPT use cases for students

Have you ever felt like your class is so difficult that you don't even know where to start? How about feeling so overwhelmed because you haven't started your school assignment that's due in a few days?

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

The good news is that tools like ChatGPT can help you learn, stay organized, and build confidence, as long as you use them wisely.

Scott is feeling stuck. He's been reading this paragraph in the chemistry textbook over and over again, but he just can't get it!

Wouldn't it be nice if he could just talk to a tutor who can break down this complicated concept into more digestible segments?

ChatGPT can do that for you! Some example prompts are:

• Explain photosynthesis like I'm 15 years old."

• "Summarize the causes of World War I."

• "Show me a step-by-step example of solving this algebra problem."

• "Tell me what 'renaissance' means."

No matter what subject you're studying, you can ask ChatGPT personalized questions to better understand exactly what doesn't make sense to you! Here are some tips to make it more effective:

• Be specific about what exactly you need ChatGPT to explain. Do you want to learn about the whole World War I or just a particular time period?

• Tell ChatGPT how you want it to respond. Do you need a long paragraph response or just a 2-sentence summary?

• Ask follow-up questions. If anything ChatGPT explains to you is unclear, don't be shy to ask follow-up questions!

• Ask for references. If you wish to learn more, you can request the sources of information for further learning.

• Verify the information. ChatGPT can sometimes give you inaccurate information, so it's important that you verify everything yourself.

Amy is panicking because the essay assignment for her English class is due in a few days but she just doesn't have any idea on what to write about!

Wouldn't it be nice if there were someone she could bounce ideas off with?

ChatGPT can do that for you! You can use ChatGPT to brainstorm and improve your writing by:

• Generating essay topic ideas.

• Creating outlines before writing.

• Suggesting clearer wording for sentences.

• Identifying grammar and spelling mistakes.

• Providing feedback on the structure of a paper.

Quiz

It's Michelle's first semester at the university, and she wants to get help with writing a final essay for her Canadian Indigenous history class. Which of the following prompts would be good examples of using ChatGPT as a brainstorming buddy?

A. "Give me 3-5 specific, actionable feedback items for my first draft."

B. "Create a first draft for my history essay about Canadian Indigenous history."

C. "Pick 3-5 essay topics for my history essay from Canadian Indigenous history."

D. "Pick the easiest essay topic that will get me the top marks."

James wants to do really well in his classes but he finds it hard to stay organized and keep his motivation high throughout the semester.

Wouldn't it be nice if someone helped him create a study schedule and make studying fun?

ChatGPT can do that for you! It can help you:

Stay organized:

• Create a study plan for an exam or a whole class

• Create a schedule for writing an essay or working on a project

• Organize your study notes

Make studying interactive:

• Create a mock test for your exam

• Create flashcard for your exam

• Help you practice your presentation

• Quiz you on a subject

You might be thinking, "Well, all of this is great, but I don't know if I can remember all the prompts and different ways of using ChatGPT!"

I have good news for you. ChatGPT has something super cool, called Study Mode!

Study Mode turns ChatGPT into a learning coach. Instead of giving you the answer straight away, it helps you work through problems, asks guiding questions, and builds your understanding.

Just like any other tool, it's important to know the limitations and considerations when using ChatGPT for studying.

Always double check.

• Verify important facts, calculations, and citations.

• Compare information with your textbook, class notes, or reliable sources.

• Don't assume every answer is correct.

• Also double check your school's policy around AI usage!

It's still YOUR school work!

• Use ChatGPT to guide your learning, not to complete your assignments.

• Follow your school's guidelines for using AI.

• Make sure the final work reflects your own understanding.

Learn from your classes.

• Ask your teachers and classmates questions.

• Participate in classroom discussions.

• Use ChatGPT to support, not replace, your learning.

You're ready to conquer your next semester with the help of ChatGPT now!