ChatGPT for Students: Ways to Use the GenAI Tool to Enhance Your Learning

Key takeaways

Students can use OpenAI’s popular generative AI tool ChatGPT to achieve different academic and career goals. 

• Students can activate “Study Mode” on ChatGPT to use the tool to prepare for assignments and tests in a way that cultivates greater understanding [1].  

• Students can also use ChatGPT to create study plans, better understand difficult concepts, and get job application support. 

• As with all GenAI outputs, students should double-check ChatGPT information for accuracy.  

Learn more about ChatGPT for students, including helpful prompts to get started with the tool. Afterward, strengthen your learning abilities with Vanderbilt University’s Accelerate Your Learning with ChatGPT. Co-taught by professors Barbara Oakley and Jules White, you’ll learn how to create engaging study hooks, connect ideas to personal experiences, and expand your working memory capacity using AI.

What is ChatGPT for students?

Many users prompt ChatGPT in a way that provides them with fast answers. But for students intent on developing or strengthening their knowledge, there are different ways to use the tool.  

“Study Mode” is a specific setting within ChatGPT designed for students—or anyone looking to learn about a subject. When activated, “Study Mode” will employ different learning techniques to ensure you’re grasping the material and can actively recall and explain it [1]. 

How do you access ChatGPT’s Study Mode?

You can activate “Study Mode” by selecting “Study” in ChatGPT’s chat settings. From there, ChatGPT will provide three pre-set options: “Help me with my homework,” “Explain a topic to me,” or “Create a practice quiz.”  

What are different ways students can use ChatGPT? 

Students can use ChatGPT to address their different academic needs or to get career support. 

6 ways students can use ChatGPT for academic support

OpenAI likens ChatGPT for students to a “study partner” you can use for all facets of your academic life, including creating a study schedule, brainstorming, and working through problems step-by-step. Some different use cases include: 

Researching

• Initial topic exploration and brainstorming

• Finding credible sources and research directions

• Explaining complex concepts in simpler terms

• Getting background context on unfamiliar subjects

Writing support

• Brainstorming ideas and outlines

• Grammar and style feedback

• Help with structure and organization

• Vocabulary and word choice suggestions

Studying 

• Planning a study schedule 

• Check your learning progress

• Creating practice questions and quizzes

• Explaining difficult concepts from multiple angles

• Generating mnemonics and memory aids

• Summarizing long texts or lectures

Learning a foreign language

• Practicing conversation and pronunciation 

• Explaining grammar

• Providing cultural contexts

• Helping with translation

Problem-solving

• Working through math problems step-by-step

• Coding assistance and debugging

• Analyzing case studies

• Exploring different perspectives on issues

Supporting creative project development

• Story ideation and creative writing prompts

• Art project concepts

• Presentation ideas and formats

Learn more: Reimagining Work and Learning with AI: Expert Insights from Dr. Jules White

3 ways students can use ChatGPT for career support

Beyond learning, ChatGPT can be a useful tool to explore careers, refine your job application materials, and generate helpful scripts to improve your networking. Some career support use cases include: 

Career development

• Exploring career paths and job market insights

• Identifying transferable skills from coursework and prior experience

• Creating professional development goals

• Networking conversation starters and scripts

• Practicing salary negotiation strategies

• Building personal brand messaging

Job search

• Researching companies and industry trends

• Optimizing LinkedIn profiles and professional bios

Job applications

• Tailoring resumes for specific positions

• Writing compelling cover letters

• Preparing for common interview questions

• Crafting follow-up emails after interviews

Sample prompts to get started with ChatGPT for students

Writing strong ChatGPT prompts to get the most out of your time with the tool is important. As much as possible, provide context, explain what ChatGPT’s role should be, and outline any constraints the LLM should be aware of to get the best possible outputs. Use the sample prompts below as guides. 

Academic sample prompt

"I need to write a 10-page research paper on the impact of social media on teenage mental health. Can you help me create an outline with 7 main sections, suggest 3-4 key points for each section, and identify what types of sources I should look for to support each point?"

Scheduling sample prompt

"I have three exams coming up: Biology (cell biology and genetics) on March 15th, Statistics (hypothesis testing and regression) on March 18th, and Spanish (past tenses and vocabulary) on March 20th. I have 2 hours available each weekday and 4 hours each weekend day. Can you create a detailed study schedule that breaks down what I should focus on each day?"

Career support sample prompt

"I'm a junior majoring in psychology with experience in peer tutoring, research assistance, and volunteer work at a crisis helpline. I'm interested in either clinical psychology or UX research careers. Can you help me identify transferable skills from my experiences and suggest 3-4 internship types that would help me explore both paths?"

Important considerations when using ChatGPT as a student

As with any GenAI tool, it’s important to be aware of ChatGPT’s limitations, especially for students seeking to learn. Keep the following considerations in mind as you use ChatGPT in Study Mode.

1. Fact-checking and hallucinations

ChatGPT can sometimes generate incorrect information or fabricate sources that don't exist. Always verify facts, statistics, and citations before including them in your work. Treat ChatGPT's responses as starting points that require confirmation, not definitive answers.

2. Academic integrity and plagiarism

Submitting AI-generated work as your own is a form of plagiarism that may violate your university’s academic integrity policy. Check your school's specific guidelines about AI tool usage before using. If you have any doubts, ask your instructors before using AI assistance and make sure to disclose such usage as needed. 

3. Over-reliance

While ChatGPT is a powerful tool, becoming too dependent on it can weaken your own analytical and problem-solving skills. Use it to enhance your thinking process, not replace it. Always engage critically with the responses and develop your own insights.

4. Privacy and data security

Conversations may be stored and used for training purposes, so treat it like a public forum rather than a private workspace. Avoid sharing sensitive personal information, proprietary research, or confidential data when using ChatGPT. 

5. Limited perspective and potential for bias

ChatGPT's responses can reflect biases present in its training data and may not represent diverse perspectives [2]. Seek out multiple viewpoints, especially on controversial topics, and consult human experts and diverse sources for well-rounded understanding.

6. Information cutoff dates 

ChatGPT's knowledge has cutoff dates and may not include the most recent developments in rapidly evolving fields [3]. Always check for updated information, especially for current events, recent research, or fast-changing industries like technology.

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