Lots of students use AI, but it usually comes back to bite them in the butt. Despite rampant misuse of AI on essays and assignments, it can be a really good tool for studying. I myself use it to study for tests, and it has helped me be more efficient and thorough in my reviewing. Although I’m no expert, it has gone so well for me that I think it’s a solid strategy that others should be using. In this article, I’ll be going over how I use AI to study and hopefully teach you a new study strategy.
The first step is to open up your favorite AI bot and ask it specifically to “Search the web for”, then insert your chosen subject, and end with “train yourself on this, answering later prompts with the information you’ve learned.” It’s helpful to include as much detail about the subject as possible and the standards you are held to, such as “AP Psychology” or “9th grade Calculus to Minnesota public school standards”. This way, the bot knows exactly what info you’re supposed to know and what information it should be giving you. An example of one of my prompts was “Search the web for the curriculum and standards of AP European history and train yourself on it. Answer my further prompts with this information.”
Make sure you’ve chosen an AI that lets you submit pictures and files. It’s extremely helpful to be able to give the AI a teacher-provided PDF of a study guide (THAT IS NOT GRADED). The bot can then make its own filled-out study sheet using what you’ve trained it on and what the teacher wants you to know for the test. Although this isn’t foolproof, it helps a ton. I have been able to get a sheet filled out to the standards of the class, which gives me exactly what I’m supposed to know because the AI has analyzed the standards for the class.
AI can also be used for learning in many other ways. You can use it to make quizzes, to partner-study with as a chatbot, and even to help correct your writing’s grammar. Although AI is a powerful tool in school when used correctly, keep in mind that it doesn’t always tell the truth and sometimes makes things up. Despite the downsides, I hope I was able to share a helpful study tool with you. Please don’t use it to cheat!
