An AI assistant such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot can be a handy study partner. It explains difficult material simply, makes a schedule or quizzes you. With these 10 tips you get the most out of it, without learning less yourself. The tips apply to ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and similar assistants.
10 tips
- Break a topic down. Ask for a difficult chapter to be explained in small pieces, with a comparison from everyday life. Explain photosynthesis as if I'm 14.
- Make a study schedule. Give your exam dates, your subjects and how many hours a day you have. Make a 3-week schedule with breaks and review moments.
- Come up with memory aids. Let the AI create a mnemonic, rhyme or acronym for lists, dates or formulas.
- Ask for feedback on your work. Paste your own text and ask what could be clearer or better supported. Don't let it rewrite your text if that's not allowed.
- Practice with real problems. Ask for an exercise on the theory and have the solution explained step by step, only after you've tried it yourself.
- Compare concepts. What's the difference between weather and climate? Make a table.
- Analyze your mistakes. Share your solution and ask where it went wrong and how to avoid that next time.
- Get quizzed. Ask me 10 questions about chapter 3, one at a time, and only give the right answers afterwards.
- Summarize long texts. Ask for the key points and conclusion of an article, then read the most important parts yourself.
- Find reliable sources. Ask where you can read more, and check those sources yourself. AI sometimes invents titles or links that don't exist.
What to watch out for
- Check the answers. AI sounds confident but can make mistakes, especially with calculations, dates and sources.
- Follow your school's rules. Many schools have rules about AI for assignments and exams. Work you hand in as your own must really be yours.
- Don't share personal or confidential data, such as your address, classmates' grades or documents from school or work.
- If you're below the service's minimum age, ask your parents for permission. Through school you may get an account with extra protection, such as Copilot with your school account.
Also see what is generative AI, Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat and Microsoft Reading Coach.
Read also
What is generative AI and what can you do with it?
Microsoft Reading Coach: practice reading for free with AI
Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat (formerly Bing Chat Enterprise)
Nederlandstalige versie: 10 tips om slim te studeren met ChatGPT of Microsoft Copilot
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