1. Artificial Intelligence
  2. Students
  3. Guide to Artificial Intelligence
  4. Beyond Your Classes

Beyond Your Classes

AI can be a valuable assistant in your life. You can tap into it for help throughout your college experience. The list of uses is endless, but here are a few examples:

  • Set up a calendar that organizes your schedule.
  • Create a healthy living plan, including an exercise schedule, tips for high-quality sleep, easy menus for nutritious meals and ways to avoid stress.
  • Evaluate products or services you wish to purchase.
  • Create itineraries for study abroad experiences and time away from campus.
  • Pursue an independent research project, generating ideas, conducting a literature review, running simulations and critiquing your findings.
  • Plan activities for your student organization, such as service-learning or social events to engage group members.
  • Dig into social and political issues to help you consider many perspectives.
  • Find films, TV programs, books, music and games that fit your interests.

Trust Your People First

While it may be tempting to rely on AI in many aspects of your life, you should always turn to trusted family, friends, faculty, mentors, counselors, support groups or professionals for advice about issues such as:

  • Difficulties with or worries over your physical health, illnesses
  • Mental health questions and issues, including personal crises or emotional distress
  • Complex relationship issues
  • Spiritual and faith questions
  • Personal legal and financial matters (never share any bank account information, passwords or other sensitive information online)
  • Personal and family dilemmas, disappointments or deaths
  • Important life decisions and stressors, such as career choices, your responsibilities to those in your life, struggles with addiction, and so on

Adapted from the Student Guide to Artificial Intelligence (2025), developed by Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center in partnership with American Association of Colleges and Universities. Used with permission under the Creative Commons BY-NC-SA license.

Have a Question?

Take a look at frequently asked questions about AI at NIU and available resources.