AI Skills for Academic Support

Getting Through Rough Times 👐

Zia Hassan

How do you know when you're stressed?

First, let's get it straight.

AI is not human. It is not a replacement for a diagnosis.

Also, be data privacy-conscious.

How AI helped me with anxiety

Themes

  1. Emotional Overwhelm and Isolation
  2. Procrastination and Decision Paralysis
  3. Pressure to meet expectations

Did you know?

ChatGPT has a memory

What are some prompts that could help us solve some of these problems?

Strategies for Emotional Overwhelm

"What are some prompts I can journal about that will help me feel less overwhelmed?"

"I feel disconnected from friends. What can I do to reconnect that's low-effort?"

"What are some affirmations I could use to speak to my saboteur?"

Quick note about saboteurs

Strategies for Procrastination and Decision Paralysis

"I have to write a 10 page research paper on x topic. Can you create a ten-day step-by-step plan to break it down into manageable chunks?"

"I have three assignments, a part-time job, and a study group this week. How should I organize my time effectively?"

"I’m feeling stuck and can’t start studying. Can you give me a motivational message or strategy to help me get going?"

Pressure to Meet Expectations

“How can I politely explain to my professor that I need an extension on my project?”

“Help me write a kind but firm message to my family about not overloading me with holiday plans.”

“I need to study for finals but also manage my part-time job. Can you help me create three realistic goals for this week using the SMART framework?”

"Help me reframe this thought..."

Meet Maya

Maya is a first-year student who moved away from home for the first time. She’s feeling homesick, lonely, and unmotivated to engage with her classmates. On top of that, she’s finding it hard to manage her emotions as finals approach, often procrastinating on assignments because she feels so disconnected and overwhelmed.

Meet Sam:

Sam is a third-year engineering major juggling two big group projects, a part-time job, and studying for finals. He keeps getting stuck in a cycle of procrastination, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work and unsure where to begin. He spends hours scrolling on his phone instead of tackling his responsibilities, which only makes him feel worse.

Meet Jordan:

Jordan is a senior finishing up their degree while helping care for their younger siblings at home. With finals and family holiday planning on the horizon, Jordan feels pulled in too many directions. They’re stressed about meeting their professors’ expectations, spending time with their family, and preparing for graduation. They want to set boundaries but feel guilty about letting anyone down.

Final tip: think in dialogue, not in search query# Questions?

zia.hassan@edtechbff.com

linkedin.com/in/zia-s-hassan

These slides are available at ziahassan.com/AIEmotional