Using ChatGPT As a Student

Oct 21 / Route2Write
If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past year, you’ll know about the artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT that have been transforming the way students research, learn, and manage their academic lives. Whether you’re in high school, college, or graduate school, ChatGPT can be an invaluable resource (even if your teachers tell you that it is not!) However, it is essential that you use it correctly to benefit your writing and not commit major plagiarism while simultaneously harming your academic future. In this blog, we will look at ways to use ChatGPT and other generative AI tools to enhance your academic writing.
Homework Help

I’m sure you can think of a time you’ve been staring at your homework due the next day with no idea how to complete the task at hand. Well ChatGPT can be a great tool to explain complex concepts to you in order to better complete your homework. For example if asked to write a descriptive piece of writing containing personification, but you do not understand the technique, ChatGPT can explain the concept and give you examples, helping you complete that homework before it is due!

Editing Help

After writing your first draft of an essay, ChatGPT can be a great tool to revise and polish your writing. By asking for feedback on grammar or style, an AI model will offer you ways to improve these elements of your writing, much like a teacher would.

Research Aid

Gathering information for a longer essay or a school project is often overwhelming. Knowing where to go to find the information can be tough, and some people find it difficult if they don’t have a library located closeby. ChatGPT can be a great resource to point you in the right direction with your research. You can ask questions to generate information on your topic, giving you areas to further explore on your own. An extra tip is to ask ChatGPT for the references to support the point, allowing you to see if the sources are credible or not!

Study Buddy

Use ChatGPT as a study buddy to explain concepts to you in different ways or to quiz you on key areas of your topic you struggle with. Just tell it the topic and ask for questions on said topic for revision! Further, it can create a study guide, flashcards, or practice questions to develop your skills.

Second Language Learning
We all know the importance of consistent practice when learning a second language. However, that is not possible for many second language learners who do not live in a foreign country. ChatGPT can be a great practice partner, allowing you to speak your new language, provide translations, and correct your grammar mistakes.

Create a Schedule

Academic life can be very full sometimes! From homework and academic classes to extracurricular activities, finding time to fit each activity into your schedule consistently is never easy. Allowing ChatGPT to create a schedule for your day, create to-do lists, or remind you of deadlines will make sure you stay on top of your responsibilities.

Personalized Learning

Every student has unique learning needs. ChatGPT can help customize your learning experience by adapting explanations to your level of understanding and pace. Whether you need a quick overview or a deep dive, it can adjust its responses based on your requirements.

The Awkward Truth

While all of these benefits exist, there are students out there who will use ChatGPT as an attempt to complete homework assignments without any real work. These students, while perhaps not being aware at the time, are causing harm to their learning and their future chances for academic success. If we look at assignments as an opportunity to learn and practice new skills, then why remove these key learning opportunities by cheating on our assignments? Not to mention, teachers find it disrespectful to be handed an essay completed with ChatGPT, and yes, they can tell the difference!

Conclusion

While you may have been told differently in school, ChatGPT can be an amazing learning tool to make your academic journey smoother. As long as you are using it ethically and responsibly, there is no reason this cannot go hand in hand with the valuable experience of independent thinking and problem-solving.