Use AI to Study Smarter
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be an amazing study partner when you use it the right way. On this page you will learn how to use AI to:
- Turn your notes into flashcards
- Create practice quizzes and test questions
- Get explanations in plain language
- Plan your study time
The goal is simple: Use AI to learn more deeply, not to have it do your graded work for you.
Before you use AI for any class, always:
- Check your syllabus and assignments. Look for the section about AI use.
- Ask your instructor. If you are not sure whether a use of AI is allowed, ask.
- Remember the line:
- Allowed: Using AI to study, practice, and get feedback.
- Not allowed: Having AI write your papers, or solve your quizzes and tests.
Flashcards are great for memory and retrieval practice. AI can save time by turning your notes or textbook sections into clear, focused cards. AI platforms like Gemini are good for creating interactive online flashcards. Other AI platforms can give you text to create flashcards on your own.
Copy, paste, & edit this text into your chat platform:
I am a college student and I want to use you as a study tool. Please turn the text below into flashcards that I can study from.
Rules:
Only use the information I give you.
Focus on the most important ideas, definitions, and formulas.
Make each flashcard a question and answer pair.
Keep each question short and clear.
Group the flash cards into small sets of 5 to 10 cards.
Here are my notes: [paste your notes here]
Copy, paste, & edit this text into your chat platform:
I need flashcards to help me remember formulas and step by step procedures.
Use this information to create flashcards that:
Put the name of the formula or procedure on one side.
Put the formula, steps, and a very short example on the other side.
Here is the content to use: [paste formulas, steps, or examples here]
You can use AI to create practice questions from your own notes or textbook summaries. That way you practice recalling what you already learned instead of asking AI to predict the real test. AI platforms like Gemini are good for creating interactive quizzes.
Copy, paste, & edit this text into your chat platform:
I am going to paste my class notes. Please create a practice quiz from them.
Rules:
Only use the information I give you.
Create 10 multiple choice questions.
Each question should have 4 answer choices.
Mark the correct answer clearly after each question.
After the quiz, give me a short answer key that explains why each correct answer is right.
Here are my notes: [paste notes here]
Copy, paste, & edit this text into your chat platform:
I want to use you as a study tool. Please create a practice quiz to help me understand this topic: [insert topic, for example: photosynthesis, solving systems of equations, basic statistics, APA citation, etc.]
Rules for the quiz
Aim the questions at a community college level.
Create 10 questions.
Use a mix of multiple choice and short answer questions.
After each question, show the correct answer.
At the end, include a short section that explains the main ideas I should understand if I did well on this quiz.
Focus on teaching the core ideas of the topic.
Copy, paste, & edit this text into your chat platform:
I want to practice this topic: [insert topic here]. Please create a practice set that:
Starts with 3 easier questions to check basic understanding.
Then gives 4 medium questions to apply the ideas.
Then gives 3 harder questions that make me think through multiple steps.
After listing all questions, give a separate answer key with short explanations for each answer.
Use AI to explain ideas in different ways until they make sense. Then check your understanding by trying to explain it back yourself, without AI.
Copy, paste, & edit this text into your chat platform:
I am a college student and I am stuck on this concept: [paste concept or definition here]
Please:
1. Explain it in simple language as if I were new to the topic.
2. Give a real life example.
3. Then explain it in college level language.
4. Ask me a quick question to check my understanding.
Copy, paste, & edit this text into your chat platform:
Please explain this process step by step. [paste process, example, or problem here]
I want:
Each step numbered in order.
A short reason for why each step matters.
A simple practice question at the end so I can test myself.
AI can help you organize your time so you do not cram at the last minute. Use it to break large projects into smaller tasks, create study schedules that spread out your work, or set realistic deadlines for each step of an assignment.
Copy, paste, & edit this text into your chat platform:
I am taking this course: [course name], and I have an exam on [date].
Here is what we are covering: [paste topics or chapter list]
I have about [number] hours per week to study. Please create a study plan that:
Breaks the topics into daily tasks.
Includes time for review, flash cards, and practice questions.
Leaves one full day before the exam for a final review.
Copy, paste, & edit this text into your chat platform:
I have this project: [paste assignment instructions]
I do not want you to do the assignment for me. Please:
Break this project into smaller tasks.
Suggest a timeline so I can start early.
Suggest where it would be helpful to use AI as a study tool, such as brainstorming ideas, building an outline, or checking clarity.
You are using AI as a study tool when:
- You give AI your own notes or drafts, and ask it to quiz you.
- You answer questions yourself first, then ask AI to check or explain.
- You use AI to clarify confusing ideas, not to write the final answer for you.
- You can explain the answer without looking at AI.
You are moving toward cheating when:
- You ask AI to write your paper or discussion post and you submit that text.
- You copy AI generated answers into a graded assignment without major changes or your own thinking.
- You use AI during a test or quiz when your instructor has not allowed it.
- You do not understand the work that you are turning in.
If you feel nervous about whether your AI use is acceptable, that is a sign to stop and ask your instructor.
