For the past several years, AI (artificial intelligence) platforms have dominated our online sphere while shaping our everyday lives. These tools are frequently used by college students of all backgrounds and experiences, allowing them to comprehend difficult concepts, brainstorm essays, and even prepare for interviews through these platforms’ advanced features. In fact, the Lumina Foundation-Gallup 2026 State of Higher Education study found that 57% of US college students use AI to supplement their studies at least once a week. If countless college students view AI as a valuable academic tool, can they have a place in academic environments?
As an English major who loves writing, I was initially hesitant towards AI platforms that complement academic pursuits. I believed that students should use their own critical thinking skills to construct essay outlines or reason through difficult homework problems. Although I still don’t use AI on a frequent basis, I’m currently taking an honors class dedicated to the analysis of AI uses and their broader cultural contexts. For better or for worse, AI is here to stay, and we can choose to harness these platforms in effective ways.
Before utilizing AI for your own academic and professional development, it’s important to consult with your university’s AI policies. While some schools permit AI use under certain conditions, others (such as Brown and most UC schools) have implemented partial or full bans on these algorithms. AI should never be used in ways that compromise academic integrity or substitute natural learning processes. Ultimately, AI is a privilege that must be used under your own discretion.
AI Platforms for elevating performance
Some common reasons for academic-related AI use include receiving clarity on advanced academic topics, saving time on tedious tasks (e.g., drafting an informal email to a classmate), and increasing academic performance. The ubiquitous chatbot ChatGPT, available on mobile and desktop platforms, can help you accomplish these goals by inputting varied data sources into the platform; for instance, the algorithm can analyze complex diagrams and summarize lengthy documents. If you’re struggling to understand a long research paper assigned by your professor, you can ask ChatGPT to provide a brief synopsis of the paper to help you absorb the material. Just make sure that you’re also actively reading and synthesizing the content.
In addition to academic pursuits, ChatGPT can also prepare students for job interviews with the right prompts. Interviews are often anxiety-provoking due to their uncertainty and competitive nature, but you can prompt ChatGPT to generate a “mock interview” for effective preparation. For instance, you can ask the chatbot to generate scenario-based interview questions or request feedback on your hypothetical interview responses. However, it’s crucial to ensure that you’re able to articulate your own thoughts without the assistance of technology.
Since ChatGPT boasts many advanced features, it can be tempting to explore everything the platform has to offer without thinking about your own unique learning approaches. Challenge yourself to master certain academic concepts without relying on these features. This can look like generating a short summary for a novel instead of asking the Chatbot for its themes; from the summary, think about themes and motifs that resonate with you.
Grammarly is another common AI platform dedicated to editing and refining one’s writing. Besides detecting spelling and grammatical errors, Grammarly can also help with brainstorming, improving conciseness, and modifying tone. Like ChatGPT, it’s easy to get carried away with its features. For essay writing, I recommend writing a rough draft of your paper without using Grammarly; simply jot down your thoughts and trust your own voice. When you’re done writing a rough draft, input your document onto Grammarly to assess any grammatical or style errors. Again, try to only use “basic” features such as fixing punctuation or syntax mistakes.
If you want to prepare for quizzes and exams, Quizlet has always been a go-to option for students. The platform is known for generating digital flashcards and practice tests from user-inputted data, but it also boasts a wide variety of AI-driven features. For instance, Quizlet subscribers can summarize PDFs and answer textbook homework questions with elaborate explanations. A similar program called ScholarAI shares similar features, but it specifically aids academic research and even connects students with academic scholarships.
What if I don’t want to use AI?
Some students cite privacy concerns and university policies as reasons they avoid these platforms. If you’d prefer not to use AI, there are other ways to reach your academic and professional goals. These strategies may seem overly-traditional, but they’re all backed by scientific evidence and have always been effective at aiding success.
One of my favorite ways to brainstorm essays without AI involves writing a document that simply asks what I’d like my piece to accomplish. In these documents, I write a tentative thesis statement (which can always be open to change) with my main arguments, supporting evidence, and links to sources that strengthen my claims. I also think about my essays’ intended audience, whether it’s other college students with no background knowledge of the topic or distinguished scholars with years of research experience. This information helps me draft outlines and eventually produce a finished piece.
Although most college students use electronic devices for notetaking, I find that physically writing my own notes helps me retain and understand information more efficiently. This isn’t just applicable to me; handwritten notes are proven to strengthen cognitive processing since the relatively slow action of writing (compared to typing) forces students to paraphrase and prioritize essential information. You can also use different-colored writing materials to differentiate main ideas from specific concepts; not only does it make your notes look visually appealing, but it can also help you differentiate important points from niche facts.
If you’ve tried these methods and still struggle to understand certain concepts, don’t hesitate to ask your classmates or professors for clarification (you’ve definitely heard this advice before, but it works!). Your fellow classmates may also share similar concerns, which essentially forces your professor to review challenging material. Take advantage of your professor’s office hours and emphasize any questions you may have. Professors appreciate when students take initiative, and it often leads to higher grades and even recommendations.
AI platforms can strengthen our capabilities inside and outside the classroom. When used properly, these tools can positively supplement our learning journeys. Think of AI as a glorified assistant: it may absolve you from routine tasks, but it cannot supersede the inherent complexities that make up your beautiful brain!