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9 Actually Helpful AI Tools To Use In College

It’s hard to balance everything in college. Not only are so many things new to you, but you’re also trying to figure out who you are — oh, and don’t even get me started on finals week. If you’ve had your head in the books, you may not have realized just how mainstream AI has become these days. There are so many helpful AI tools for college students now, just in time to get you through to walk across the stage in a cap and gown. 

Ready to revolutionize your academic game and conquer the challenges of college life with a touch of tech brilliance? I’ve brought you a curated list of game-changing AI tools that will streamline your workload and add that extra *sparkle* to your college journey. From polishing essays to mastering complex math problems, these tools are about to become your trusty sidekicks. So, let’s dive into the world of artificial intelligence and discover the must-have tools that will make you the ultimate tech-savvy scholar! (Major disclaimer here, of course: While most of these tools aren’t generative, for some that can do their own writing — like ChatGPT, QuillBot, or Notion AI — you’ll want to check with your professor about any rules they might have regarding AI before you use them on an assignment you’ll be turning in.)

Grammarly

Are you tired of those red squiggly lines haunting your essays? Enter Grammarly, the ultimate writing companion. It’s not just a spell-checker; it’s your grammar guru, ensuring your writing is as polished as your favorite pair of statement earrings. Grammarly will work wherever you choose to write, including emails, Google apps, Word, and many more. There is a free plan as well as a premium plan that totals $114 annually. Grammarly also has a free tool where you input your resume and job requirements to generate a personal cover letter

Otter.AI

If you can’t keep up with your professor’s slides and extra information in the lecture, this AI tool is for you. Say goodbye to chaotic note-taking during lectures! Otter.AI transcribes spoken words into text in real-time, letting you focus on the professor’s insights without missing a beat. It’s like having a personal note-taker in your pocket! If you’re also planning a career in the media field, Otter.AI will be a lifesaver for that long interview you need to transcribe, saving you hours of work. The basic plan is free to use but the paid plans start at $10 per user, per month.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT might be the most versatile — and notorious — AI available right now. Need a brainstorming partner for that group project or assistance in outlining your paper? ChatGPT is here to lend an AI-powered hand, helping you generate ideas, fine-tune your arguments, and tackle those academic challenges with finesse. Just don’t take advantage of it to write any of the content for you, or all your essays will sound like a robot wrote them. The best part? It’s completely free to use!

Unschooler

Unschooler is not just a planner; it’s your ticket to personalized learning. Tailor your study schedule, set goals, and watch your productivity soar. Consider it the GPS for your academic journey, guiding you to success one task at a time. It’s the advanced daily planner of our generation. Paid plans start from $20 a month. 

QuillBot

QuillBot is your go-to for paraphrasing and transforming your writing while retaining the essence. It’s the secret sauce to making your essays sound like a seasoned wordsmith crafted them. QuillBot also includes features like the summarizer, which helps break down complicated passages in your readings and the citation generator, which will help format your sources. It’s sure to help you rewrite your way to clarity (just check with your professor before you start playing around with it). QuillBot is a free Google Chrome extension, although you can upgrade to the premium plan for $99.95 annually. 

Stepwise Math

Stepwise Math breaks down complex problems into manageable steps, guiding you through the process and turning math into a puzzle you’ll love to solve. It’s basically like having a math tutor at your fingertips. The student plan starts at $9.99 a month, with the family plan coming to $27 per month. 

Slidesgo AI Presentation Maker

Discover the transformative power of Slidesgo, the ultimate hub for elevating your college presentations with effortless style and flair. The user-friendly interface makes customization a breeze: Drag, drop, and tweak your way to presentation perfection without the need for tech expertise. It is important to note that Slidesgo isn’t completely AI-powered, but the platform includes an AI presentation maker. Slides is free, you just have to sign up for an account before you use the website. 

Notion AI

Looking for a central hub to organize your notes, projects, and life in general? Notion is the answer. Think of it as your digital Swiss Army knife, adapting to your organizational needs with customizable databases and seamless collaboration features. Notion AI is a tool within Notion that shares similarities with ChatGPT. This tool allows you to write prompts to generate text and apply AI to text you’ve already written. Anyone can trial Notion AI for free, but it is an add-on cost of $8 per month, per member for paid plans and $10 per month, per member for anyone with a free Notion plan. 

Sizzle

Sizzle is a “free AI tutor for everyone,” according to their website. It is a platform to help you with all of your homework woes. You can enter a problem into the chat box or simply upload a photo. The website will then give you step-by-step help with any problem you throw at them.

So, there you have it — your tech toolkit for acing college life! Embrace the power of AI and let these tools redefine the way you learn, create, and succeed. Welcome to the future of academia, where innovation meets education, and the possibilities are limitless.

Shay Nicolay

Toronto MU '22

Shayna Nicolay has been a Her Campus National Writer since January 2023. She writes bi-weekly articles as well as covering timely content. She graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University in 2022, where she majored in journalism with a minor in graphic communications. Shayna was a contributing writer for her University's Chapter of Her Campus, and was the Editor-in-Chief of her University magazine, Folio. She also was the editorial intern for fashion content creator, Audree Kate Lopez, where she hired and managed a group of writers, ran the WordPress website, wrote and edited articles, and helped with social media copy. Shayna loves walks in nature, bingeing the newest TV show, beading jewelry, and is a mental health advocate. She loves storytelling and media, so content creation comes naturally to her. For the best memes, mental health tips, and bisexual visibility, follow Shayna @shaynicolay on Instagram and @shaynanicolay on TikTok.