35 ChatGPT Prompts That Actually Help You Learn (Not Just Copy Answers)

I'm writing a [word count]-word [essay type: argumentative/analytical/expository] essay for my [course name] class. My thesis statement is: "[your thesis]." Create a detailed outline with: an introduction strategy that hooks the reader, [number] body paragraphs each with a clear topic sentence and 2-3 supporting points, suggestions for evidence I should find, counterargument placement, and a conclusion that doesn't just restate the thesis. For each section, explain WHY it belongs in that position.

Here's a paragraph from my [essay type] essay: "[paste paragraph]" Analyze it for: clarity of the topic sentence, logical flow between sentences, strength of evidence and analysis, whether I'm telling or showing, and any filler phrases that add words without adding meaning. Then rewrite it once showing improvements, and explain each change so I learn the pattern.

My essay argues: "[your thesis]." I'm writing this for a [course level: intro/advanced] [subject] class. Give me the 5 strongest counterarguments someone could make against my position. For each one: state the counterargument clearly, explain why a reasonable person might hold this view, rate its strength (weak/moderate/strong), and suggest how I could address it in my essay without abandoning my thesis.

I have these sources for my [topic] research paper: [Paste source titles, authors, and your rough notes about each] For each source, help me write an annotated bibliography entry that: cites it in [APA/MLA/Chicago] format, summarizes the key argument or findings in 2-3 sentences, evaluates the source's credibility and methodology, and explains how it connects to my thesis: "[your thesis]." Flag any sources that seem weak or redundant.

Rewrite this paragraph to sound more academic and formal while keeping my original argument and voice: "[paste casual paragraph]" Specifically: replace informal language with academic equivalents, remove first-person if the assignment requires it, add hedging language where claims are not absolute, and improve sentence variety. Show the before/after and explain each change.

I need to peer review a classmate's [essay type] essay for [course name]. The assignment requirements are: [paste assignment prompt or key requirements]. Create a detailed peer review checklist organized by: thesis and argument strength, evidence and source quality, organization and flow, paragraph structure, grammar and style, and formatting/citation compliance. Include specific questions I should ask about each area, not just "is it good?"

Here are my lecture notes from [course name], [topic]: [paste notes] Create a comprehensive study guide that: organizes the information by concept (not chronologically), identifies the 5 most important ideas a professor would test, explains each concept in simple language with an example, highlights connections between concepts, creates a "cheat sheet" summary I can review in 5 minutes, and flags anything in my notes that seems incomplete or confused.

I have an upcoming [exam type: midterm/final/quiz] in [course name] covering [topics]. The professor tends to ask [question types: multiple choice/short answer/essay/problem sets]. Based on these key concepts: [list 5-10 key concepts] Generate a practice exam with: [number] questions that match the format and difficulty level, answer explanations for each (hidden until I try), 3 "curve ball" questions that combine multiple concepts, and 1 question I probably can't answer yet (to identify gaps). Mark difficulty as easy/medium/hard.

I'm struggling to understand [concept] in [course name]. Explain it to me using the Feynman Technique: first explain it as if I'm 12 years old with zero background knowledge, then use a concrete analogy from everyday life, then show me the formal academic definition and how it connects to the simple explanation, then give me 3 examples in increasing complexity, and finally, tell me the one thing most students get wrong about this concept and why.

I need to memorize key information from [textbook name], Chapter [X]: [chapter title]. The main topics are: [list main topics or paste table of contents] Create 25 flashcards in Q&A format. Include: definitions of key terms, conceptual understanding questions (not just recall), application questions that test whether I can USE the knowledge, 3 cards that connect this chapter to previous material in [related topics], and mnemonics or memory tricks where helpful. Format: Front: [question] | Back: [answer]

I have [number] final exams coming up: [List each exam: course name, date, format, how confident you feel 1-10] I have [number] days to prepare. I can study [hours] per day. My weakest subjects are [list them]. Create a day-by-day study schedule that: prioritizes subjects by exam date and difficulty, alternates subjects to prevent burnout, includes specific study activities (not just "study math"), builds in review sessions for material studied earlier in the week, and includes breaks using the Pomodoro technique. Assume I will lose motivation by day 3 and front-load the hardest material.

My [course name] exam covers these topics: [paste syllabus topics or study guide] I'm going to rate my confidence in each area. For topics I rate below 7/10, create a focused review plan: [Topic 1: confidence X/10] [Topic 2: confidence X/10] [continue for all topics] For each weak area: identify what specifically I probably don't understand, suggest the most efficient way to review it (re-read, practice problems, watch a video, etc.), estimate how long the review should take, and provide 2 quick self-test questions I can use to verify I've actually learned it.

I'm interested in writing a research paper about [broad topic] for my [course name] class. The paper needs to be [length] and use [number] sources. Help me narrow this down: suggest 5 specific, arguable research questions within this topic, for each one explain what kind of sources I'd need and how easy they are to find, rate each question's feasibility for a [undergrad/grad] student with [weeks] to complete it, identify which question has the best balance of interesting + doable, and suggest 3 initial search terms I could use in my university library database.

I need to read and understand this academic article for my [course] class. Here are the key details: Title: [title] Authors: [authors] Abstract: [paste abstract] Key sections/headings: [list them] Based on this information: what is the main argument or finding, what methodology did they likely use, what gap in existing research are they addressing, what are the probable limitations, and how might this connect to [your research topic or course theme]? Also give me 3 questions I should answer as I read the full text to make sure I actually understand it.

I'm writing a literature review on [topic] for my [course/thesis]. The key scholars and works I've found so far are: [List authors and works] Help me map the intellectual landscape: what are the 2-3 major "camps" or perspectives in this debate, which scholars belong to which camp, what are the key points of disagreement, where is there consensus, and what questions remain unresolved? Organize this as a framework I can use to structure my literature review.

My research paper argues: "[thesis]." Here are the sources I'm planning to use: [List all sources with brief descriptions] Analyze my source list for: perspective gaps (am I only citing one side?), methodology gaps (all qualitative? all quantitative?), recency gaps (anything too old to be relevant?), authority gaps (am I relying on weak sources?), and geographic/cultural gaps (is my research too narrow?). Suggest what types of additional sources I should look for, and give me specific search terms to find them.

I need to write a literature review paragraph that synthesizes these sources on [subtopic]: Source 1: [author, year] argues [main point] Source 2: [author, year] found [main finding] Source 3: [author, year] suggests [key claim] Write a paragraph that: doesn't just summarize each source one after another, identifies the common thread or tension between them, uses my voice to analyze and connect the sources, transitions smoothly from previous paragraph about [topic], and ends with a sentence that sets up the next paragraph about [topic]. Show me the difference between "summary style" and "synthesis style."

I'm designing a research project for [course/thesis] on [topic]. My research question is: "[question]." I have [timeframe] to complete it and access to [resources: library databases, surveys, interviews, datasets, etc.]. Suggest a methodology that's realistic for my constraints: recommended research approach and why, data collection method with step-by-step process, sample size or scope that's achievable, analysis approach I can actually execute, potential ethical considerations, and limitations I should acknowledge upfront. Assume I'm a [undergrad/grad] student with [level] of research experience.

I was in [course name] lecture about [topic] but my notes have gaps. Here's what I captured: [paste your incomplete notes] Based on this topic, help me: identify where my notes likely have gaps (concepts that should connect but don't), fill in the probable missing information, add context that a professor would have explained verbally, highlight any concepts I may have written down incorrectly (common student misconceptions), and organize everything into a clean, structured format.

Summarize the key ideas from [textbook], Chapter [X]: [title]. The chapter covers: [paste headings/subheadings or main topics] Create a one-page summary (roughly 500 words) that: captures every concept I'd need for an exam, uses bullet points for quick scanning, bolds the most critical terms, includes one example for each major concept, and ends with a "big picture" paragraph connecting this chapter to [broader course theme].

I keep confusing these concepts in [course name]: [Concept A] vs [Concept B] (vs [Concept C] if applicable) Create a detailed comparison chart with these categories: definition of each, key characteristics, examples, when each applies, common misconceptions, how to tell them apart on an exam, and a one-sentence memory trick for each. Format as a clean table I can print out.

My professor posted these lecture slides for [topic] in [course]: [paste slide content — bullet points, headers, key terms] Slides are just keywords and fragments. Turn them into flowing narrative notes that: expand each bullet point into a full explanation, connect ideas across slides into a logical narrative, add transitions that show how concepts relate, explain any jargon or technical terms, and identify the 3 most likely exam questions from this material.

I have an open-note [course name] exam covering [topics]. I'm allowed [one page/one notecard/unlimited notes]. The exam focuses on [format: problem solving/essays/short answer]. Help me design the most strategic cheat sheet: what formulas, definitions, or frameworks are essential to include, how to organize it for quick lookup under pressure, what to leave OFF (things I should know from memory), any common mistakes to write as warnings, and a decision tree for choosing which concept to apply. Optimize for the format: [one-sided/two-sided] [paper size].

I need to review an entire semester of [course name]. Here are the main topics covered each week: [Week 1: topic] [Week 2: topic] [continue through semester] Create a comprehensive but concise semester review that: summarizes each topic in 2-3 sentences, draws connections between early and late topics, identifies the 10 most important concepts overall, highlights recurring themes the professor emphasized, and predicts the 5 topics most likely to appear on the final. Organize by theme, not by week.

I'm working on this [math/physics/chemistry/etc.] problem for [course name]: [paste problem] Don't just give me the answer. Walk me through the solution: what type of problem is this, and what strategy should I recognize for this type? What formulas or concepts apply, and why? Show each step with clear explanation of what you're doing and why. Point out where students commonly make mistakes on this type. Give me a similar practice problem to try on my own (with the answer hidden).

I tried solving this problem and got the wrong answer. Help me find my mistake: Problem: [paste problem] Correct answer: [if known] My work: [paste your step-by-step work] Don't solve it from scratch. Instead: follow my logic step by step, identify exactly where I went wrong and why, explain the misconception behind my error, show how to fix just that step, and tell me if this is a common mistake (so I can watch for it on exams).

In [course name], I have all these formulas but I don't know when to use which one: [List formulas] For each formula: explain what it calculates in plain English, describe the exact scenario where you'd use it, give a keyword or phrase in problems that signals "use this formula," show a simple example application, and explain how it relates to the other formulas on the list. Create a decision flowchart: "If the problem gives you X and asks for Y, use formula Z."

I'm studying [specific topic] in [course name]. My current skill level: I can solve basic problems but struggle with [specific difficulty]. Generate 10 practice problems with increasing difficulty: Problems 1-3: straightforward application of core concept. Problems 4-6: requires combining 2 concepts or an extra step. Problems 7-9: exam-level difficulty with word problems or real-world context. Problem 10: challenge problem that goes beyond what we've covered. Include answers and brief solution hints (not full solutions) for each.

I struggle with word problems. Help me break this one down: "[paste word problem]" Don't solve it yet. Instead: identify what the problem is actually asking for, list every given piece of information and assign variables, translate each sentence into mathematical expressions or equations, identify what type of math problem this really is, and write out the setup so I can solve it myself. Explain your translation process so I can learn to do this independently.

I'm applying to [school/program] and need to write a personal statement. The prompt is: "[paste application prompt]." Here's what I want to write about: Background: [brief personal background] Key experience: [the story or experience you want to focus on] What I learned: [how it changed you] Why this program: [why you're applying] Help me: find the most compelling angle for my story, create an outline with a strong opening hook, suggest specific details and moments to include (show, don't tell), connect my experience to why I'm a good fit for this program, and flag anything that sounds cliché or generic. Don't write the essay for me — give me the blueprint.

I have an interview for [position] at [company/organization]. I'm a [year] student studying [major]. The job description mentions: [paste key requirements]. Help me prepare: predict the 10 most likely interview questions for this role, for the 5 behavioral questions, help me structure answers using the STAR method based on my experiences: [list 3-4 relevant experiences], suggest 5 smart questions I should ask the interviewer, identify any red flags in my background they might ask about and how to address them, and give me a 30-second elevator pitch for "tell me about yourself."

I'm applying for [position] at [company]. Here's the job posting: [paste job description] And here's my current resume content: [paste resume bullet points and experiences] Help me: identify which of my experiences are most relevant, rewrite bullet points to match the job description's language and priorities, suggest which items to emphasize/de-emphasize/remove, add quantifiable results where possible (suggest realistic metrics if I don't have exact numbers), and flag any gaps between the job requirements and my experience (with suggestions for addressing them in my cover letter).

I want to reach out to [person's role/title] at [company] for [informational interview/advice/mentorship/referral]. I found them through [LinkedIn/alumni network/professor referral]. I'm a [year] student at [university] studying [major]. Write a short, professional email (under 150 words) that: has a specific, non-generic subject line, establishes a connection or common ground, clearly states what I'm asking for (be specific: 15-minute call, coffee chat, etc.), shows I've done research on them/their company, and makes it easy to say yes. Write 3 versions: formal, friendly-professional, and casual.

I'm a [year] student at [university] majoring in [major] with interests in [career interests]. Help me build a semester-by-semester plan: For each remaining semester: recommended courses and why (balance hard and light semesters), extracurricular priorities (clubs, research, leadership), skill-building activities (certifications, projects, languages), career prep milestones (internship applications, networking, portfolio building). Also include: summer plans for each year, a timeline for graduate school applications if relevant, and 3 "insurance" career paths if my first choice doesn't work out. Be realistic about what's achievable alongside a full course load.

I completed a [type] project for [course name] about [topic]. Here's what I did: [Describe the project, your role, tools used, outcomes] Help me turn this into a professional portfolio piece: write a project description for my resume/LinkedIn/portfolio website, identify transferable skills this project demonstrates, suggest how to present results in a compelling way (metrics, visuals, before/after), recommend improvements I could make to strengthen it (over a weekend, not a month), and explain which industries or roles would find this project impressive.

I need to ask [Professor Name] from [course] for a letter of recommendation for [application type: grad school/scholarship/job]. I earned a [grade] in their class and [any notable interactions: office hours, research, class participation]. Help me: write a polite request email that makes it easy for them to say yes (or gracefully decline), create a "brag sheet" of my accomplishments and goals to attach, suggest specific things I should remind them about our interactions, include a timeline and deadlines, and draft a follow-up/thank-you email for after they agree.