Students going back to school this fall will undoubtedly discover the benefits of ChatGPT’s Study Mode. With features that draft quizzes, flash cards and offer bullet points to truly grasp tough concepts, Study Mode can support better study habits, which I found out when I put ChatGPT Study Mode to the test myself. Although Study Mode sounds like it’s reserved for students, it’s actually far more versatile than that.
This feature can act as a personal coach for professionals, hobbyists and even parents. In other words, you don't have to be studying in the traditional sense to make use of this helpful feature. From brushing up on industry jargon, turning a dense report into something digestible or helping your kid tackle a homework assignment, Study Mode adapts to your professional and personal needs.
1. Master industry jargon before a big meeting
Prompt: “Pretend you’re prepping me for a 30-minute crash course in [industry topic]. Teach me the key terms, give me analogies and quiz me until I sound like I belong in the room.”
To get ahead in the workplace, you have to know your stuff. Yet, with industry trends changing all the time, that’s not as easy as it sounds, especially if you’re already juggling a full schedule. ChatGPT’s Study Mode can support your efforts to stay in-the-know by creating crash courses and then offering ways to help you study. This is useful if you’re trying to improve your knowledge at your current job or looking to transition to a new industry while catching up fast.
2. Turn dense reports into briefing packets
Prompt: “Here’s a 40-page PDF. Break it into sections like a study guide: key points, potential risks and 5 questions I should be ready to answer if challenged.”
If you’re like me, large PDFs and presentation decks can be daunting when you’re trying to soak in all the information quickly. As professionals looking to make the most of our work day, Study Mode can break down these types of assets to help you consume the knowledge in more efficient ways.
Breaking down documents and presentations can also help down the road as you look back at your progress or want to review concepts you may have forgotten
3. Rehearse presentations with a Q&A twist
Prompt: “Here’s my presentation. Act like an audience of three types: a friendly supporter, a skeptical critic, and a technical expert. Ask tough questions and grade my answers.”
This is a game-changer for those of us who struggle with public speaking. Upload a PDF, presentation deck or even a video of your presentation and let ChatGPT “grade” your style. The friendly supporter will give you confidence, while the skeptical critic will help you refine the small details that you may have missed.
4. Onboard faster at a new job
Prompt: “Teach me the essentials of [company software/policies/industry] as if I’m a new hire. Create flashcards, daily review questions, and scenarios I’ll likely encounter.”
Staring a new job can be overwhelming when you’re expected to learn a bunch of new terms, tasks and procedures quickly. Even the names of colleagues and clients can take time to learn without support. With Study Mode, you can learn faster with customized flashcards, quizzes and scheduled reviews.
Because Study Mode is on the mobile app, you can even bring the studying with you on your commute or to the gym.
5. Learn a new skill in micro-lessons
Prompt: “Break down [new skill] into 10-minute daily lessons. End each one with a practice exercise and a self-check quiz.”
As long as you have ten free minutes, you can add a few micro-lessons into your day. Just use this prompt and ChatGPT will break down the essential information into quick practices lessons to help you continuously learn. These can be done during a lunch break, a commercial break or sitting in the school pick-up line.
6. Prep like a journalist or researcher
Prompt: “I’m interviewing an expert on [topic]. Build me a study packet: background context, competing opinions and smart follow-up questions.”
This is one of my favorite prompts because it instantly gives you context from every opinion and background. The thoughts and ideas you may not have thought of on your own, appear almost instantly with the support of ChatGPT.
Learning in this way ensures you know the topic fully and are prepared for any question or opinion that comes your way. Prepping with the help of Study Mode rather than using ChatGPT as-is will help you dive deeper into any topic.
7. Use it as a parenting hack
Prompt: “Explain [topic my kid is learning] in two ways: first as if to an 8-year-old, then as if to me so I can help them study. Include fun quiz questions for both of us.”
If you’ve ever looked at your child’s homework and discovered the method in which they are learning something (math, in particular) is not the same as when you were a kid, you’re not alone. I’ve totally been there, especially when my child needs to “show the work.” The work he needs to show is nothing like what I used to show.
For that reason, Study Mode is something I lean on all the time. It helps break information down exactly the way my child is learning. Bonus: you can even upload an image of the child’s homework and ask the chatbot to explain the exact teaching method of your child’s teacher.
Final thoughts
Study Mode might have been designed with students in mind, but its potential stretches far beyond the classroom. From leveling up at work to smoothing out parenting challenges, it adapts to whatever you throw at it.
Give ChatGPT-5 Study Mode a shot and tell me what you think in the comments.
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