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Generative Artificial Intelligence

ChatGPT Study Mode

On July 29th, OpenAI announced a new ChatGPT feature available to all users. ChatGPT Study Mode is designed for college students across all academic disciplines and serves as a 24/7 mentor for learning. Follow the instructions below to learn how you can use this new feature.

Why use Study Mode?

Many of the example prompts below might seem like they'd have the same effect in a regular chat, so why switch to Study Mode?

  • Purpose-Built for Learning – Study Mode was designed with input from teachers, scientists, and pedagogy experts to act as a true learning guide, not just a general assistant.
  • Less Likely to Hallucinate – Because it has a more defined role, it stays focused on your learning goals and provides clearer, more reliable answers.
  • Active Learning Support – While general ChatGPT is often used for passive techniques (flashcards, summaries, highlight notes, etc.), Study Mode specializes in research-backed active learning methods like debates, roleplay, think–pair–share, and Socratic questioning that deepen understanding.
  • Adaptive Feedback – Instead of just giving you the “right answer,” Study Mode challenges you, asks follow-up questions, and helps you uncover misconceptions.
  • Efficient Study Sessions – By keeping you on track and engaging you in interactive learning, Study Mode helps you learn more in less time.
  • Confidence for Class & Exams – The interactive practice builds the skills you’ll need in discussions, labs, and tests—not just rote memorization.

Check the visualization below to see what learning techniques you can prompt from Study Mode.

Visit this BYU site to learn more about active learning techniques.

    Activate Study Mode

    1. Open ChatGPT and log in.
    2. Click on the plus sign on the left side of the prompt textbox.
    3. Select "Study and learn."

    4. Study mode is now active.

    There are no buttons or menus to choose from within Study Mode. Instead, it is your job to select how the chat should interact. You can request a Socratic-style learning experience, comprehension checks, and other features, and the chat will maintain the conversation as requested.

    Study and Learn

    Think Socratically

    Use ChatGPT Study Mode to reason through problems and find answers in a more thoughtful way.

    Try a prompt like this one:

    
I'm preparing for an exam on macroeconomics. Teach me about monetary policy by guiding me only with Socratic-style questions that help me reason through how central banks influence inflation, employment, and growth. Keep questions concise and build from basics to advanced.

    Break It Down

    Ask Study Mode to break down concepts into something more understandable.

    
I’m taking an organic chemistry course. Teach me the mechanism of the aldol condensation reaction, starting with the basic idea and progressively adding the details — reagents, reaction steps, stereochemistry — in clearly labeled sections.

    Connect to Memory

    Study Mode can reach back to prior conversations and apply what you already know. Use a prompt like this one to refer back to prior conversations:

    
You remember last week we studied the fundamentals of cybersecurity hashing algorithms. Today I want to learn about public-key cryptography. Please connect it back to what I learned before — especially the difference between hashing and encryption — and use similar analogies to help me make the connection.

    Keep It Open

    Open-ended questions can give you a chance to lay out your thoughts and show what you know. A prompt like this one can give you the chance to lay out what you know and receive constructive feedback.

    
I’m studying abnormal psychology. First, teach me the main diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder according to the DSM-5. Then, ask me to explain in my own words how these criteria differ from persistent depressive disorder, and give me detailed feedback on my explanation.

    Upload Context

    College students are bombarded with syllabi, textbooks, articles, PowerPoint presentations, and any other possible source of knowledge. Use Study Mode to upload these resources and build on them for a more relevant learning experience.

    It's as simple as uploading the documents necessary and prompting the chat as needed.

    UPLOAD:

    PROMPT:

    
I’m uploading a PDF of my calculus lecture notes. Use the examples from these notes to teach me how to solve optimization problems involving related rates. Reference the diagrams and equations in the PDF so I can follow along step-by-step.

    Additional Tips

    Utilize Projects

    The Projects feature in ChatGPT is like a folder for your chats. Create a Project for your classes/subjects and save all related chats to keep everything in one place.

    1. Click the "New Project" button on the left side.

    2. Name your new project.

    3. This will add the project to your sidebar. Add chats here for easy access in the future.

    While this is not directly a Study Mode feature, it is a highly recommended feature to help organize your ChatGPT Study Mode conversations and provide an easier learning experience.