by Coleson Cunningham

AI for College Students?

AI has become a game-changer in the last few years, and its presence in education is only growing. For college students, mastering the available AI tools can enhance productivity, streamline tasks, and even provide learning support.

However, in this ever-changing field, it’s essential to use these tools responsibly and effectively.

Using AI Responsibly

Plagiarism. Even though it’s not written by a human, it is still an original work. Work written by AI must be properly cited. Check with your professors about the desired format on how to cite works created by artificial intelligence.

AI models and language LEARNING models. They can– and very often do–get things wrong. Always double-check work created by artificial intelligence.

Even if they cite sources, AI may draw the wrong conclusions or use unreliable sources. Protect your work by double-checking.

Finally, AI shouldn’t be a replacement for your work. AI is a tool that should be used to AID you in your work, help you gather resources, how to format, and collect your thoughts, and streamline the work process.

However, you are in school to learn, not to train an AI model, and use AI to be more efficient in your work, not as a reason not to do any work.

The Big Players

Copilot, Chat GPT, and Gemini. Each of these models is improving and changing all the time, yet they all have their quirks and specialties. 

Copilot 

Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant, is designed to be polished, friendly, and intuitive. While it offers human-like interactions and voice input, it also has quirks.

Key Features:

• Chat, image, and voice input capabilities.
• Minimalistic interface with warm, friendly responses.

Pros:

• Natural responses that feel conversational.
• Helpful for formatting and task automation.

Cons:

• Known for occasional bugs and glitches.
• Requires re-signing if you close the app.

As you can see, Copilot feels very friendly and human. It asks if there’s anything more, if you understand, and makes suggestions.

Copilot also uses emojis and feels fun to chat with. It feels less like you are talking to an artificial model, and more like you are chatting with a friend.

Chat GPT

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is known for its professional and concise responses, making it a favorite among students who need quick, to-the-point answers.

Key Features:

• Supports text, voice, and file uploads.
• Offers a variety of specialized GPT models for specific tasks.
• Clear, readable formatting with bullet points and summaries.

Pros:

• Ideal for quick answers or brainstorming.
• Enjoyable formatting and readability.

Cons:

• Responses may lack depth compared to other AI tools.
• Requires users to sign in every time it is closed.

Chat GPT is professional. It’ll give you what you asked for and not much more. The final line of Chat GPTs response usually justifies an answer in the context of your question.

I also want to note that both Copilot and Chat GPT are able to search the web in real time via Bing.

Gemini

Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, excels at providing in-depth, detailed explanations. It’s perfect for students who want to understand the “why” behind a concept rather than just getting an answer.

Key Features:

• Integration with Google’s suite (Docs, Gmail, Sheets, etc.).
• Supports images, audio, and text input.
• Allows customization of responses (shorter, longer, more casual, or more professional).

Pros:

• Comprehensive answers with explanations, dos, and don’ts.
• Easy export to Google Docs or Gmail.
• Provides suggested Google search queries.

Cons:

• Can be too verbose when you need a fast answer.
• Best used in conjunction with other Google tools.

Gemini is known to be the most creative of the three and thrives within the Google suite. You will see it popping up in Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Pixel phones, and everywhere. I really enjoy the vast number of additional features Google has added to its artificial intelligence model.

AI Tools for Specific Academic Needs

Beyond the big players, AI can be used in all aspects of your life, from health to beauty, to tutoring.

1. Notion

An all-in-one workspace for managing tasks, notes, and projects.

• Features: To-do lists, collaborative note-taking, project planning.
• Best For: Staying organized and managing classwork effectively.

2. Gradescope

AI-powered grading for students and instructors. This one is less for students to use, and more that students will be using it for their classes.

Gradescope takes the burden of mass grading away from the teacher and provides much faster feedback for students.

• Features: Auto-grades multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and coding questions.
• Best For: Instant feedback on assignments and tracking progress.

3. Khanmigo

An AI-based tutor that actually helps you learn, not just give answers. Additionally, Khanmigo is backed by the incredible Khan academy content library.

• Features: Personalized, patient tutoring, fun and engaging activities.
• Best For: Difficult subjects or assignments requiring extra support.

4. Knowt

An AI-powered app that turns notes into flashcards for study sessions.

• Features: Smart review sessions and quiz creation.
• Best For: Preparing for exams efficiently.

5. PerfectGPT

A specialized AI assistant for real-time beauty and skincare advice.

• Features: Personalized recommendations based on your needs.
• Best For: Self-care and wellness advice during stressful college days.

Conclusion: Building Your AI Toolkit

From general-purpose tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to specialized platforms like Gradescope and Notion, AI has a lot to offer college students.

By using these tools wisely, you can save time, stay organized, and deepen your understanding of various subjects. Remember, AI is here to assist—not replace—your efforts.

With thoughtful use, you can harness the power of AI to excel in your academic and personal journey.

Now that you have the software to support you on your college journey, take a look at some of the “hardware” that will lead you to success!