How to Use ChatGPT for Smart Studying?

By Dr. AK Rana

AI is everywhere—making our lives easier, faster, and smarter. For students, it’s nothing short of a revolution. Imagine having a private tutor available 24/7, ready to help you anytime you’re stuck. That’s what AI tools like ChatGPT offer—if used wisely.

But here’s the catch:

Using ChatGPT smartly doesn’t mean using it for everything.

Let’s walk through how to actually make it your study partner—and not your crutch.

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Step 1: Ask Your Doubt – But Don’t Stop There!

Got a question you don’t understand?

Take a photo of it and upload it to ChatGPT. It’ll give you a solution in seconds.

Write that solution down.

But is that enough?

Nope.

This is just the beginning.

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Step 2: Ask “Why?” – Dive Deeper

Ask ChatGPT to explain the solution in detail.

Break it down:

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What concept is being used?
Why was that formula applied?
Could there be other ways to solve it?

Then request more examples to practice that concept.

Note these down neatly, in your own words.

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Step 3: Go Back to Your Textbook

Now that you’ve understood the concept, return to your textbook or workbook.

Read the theory properly.

Solve similar questions on your own.

If you get stuck, don’t rush back to ChatGPT.

First, wrestle with the problem yourself.

Struggle = growth.

Only after serious effort, if you’re still confused, ask ChatGPT again. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

Why is this important?

Because,

Relying on AI for every little doubt takes away your critical thinking and problem-solving skills—the very traits you need in exams.

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Step 4: Let AI Save Time

ChatGPT can also:

Summarize your notes

Explain complex lecture videos

Give you quick paper solutions

This saves you time and effort running from video to video or book to book.

But again—use it to enhance, not replace, your learning.

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Step 5: No Pro Plan? No Problem!

Can’t upload images to ChatGPT again and again.

Use Google Lens to scan your question and convert it into text.

Then paste that into ChatGPT.

Boom—problem solved without the cost.

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Step 6: Practice Is the Real Game-Changer

Even if ChatGPT helps you with everything—it won’t enter the exam hall with you.

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👉 Do your homework first.
👉 Then ask AI to teach you better or correct you.
👉 Not the other way around.

This way, you build your skills, not just collect answers.

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Don’t Let AI Kill Your Confidence
Yes, AI is intelligent.
Yes, it’s fast.
But never forget—it was made by humans.
You’re just as powerful.
You created the tool; the tool didn’t create you.

Never doubt yourself.

Trust your potential.

Keep learning.

One last thing.

I have heard kids disrespecting their teachers because their AI teacher seems to be more intelligent than them, this is something you should never do.

As we progress with the modern technology, we should never forget our roots filled with ethics and moral values.

Always remember, AI is beautiful.

If it can solve your problem, why suffer?

Just make sure you’re the one in charge—not the machine.

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