ChatGPT: Your Assistant, Not Your Wingman or Grade Booster
When should we use ChatGPT—and when shouldn’t we?
Asking ChatGPT to write your paper for you? Bad idea. It strips away authenticity and the hard-won effort that makes writing meaningful. I learned this the hard way when I used ChatGPT to help with an essay in one course at NYU—just one—where the professor and I had conflicting ideas and didn’t get along. She ended up giving me an F, which lowered my GPA to a B+ instead of the A I rightfully deserved. This led to a debate with my university about plagiarism and its potential consequences. I managed to win the argument enough to graduate on time, walk at commencement with my roommate, and celebrate my degree. But it was enough of a scandal for my old-school dad to call it blatant cheating—and he refused to attend my graduation. For the record, 99.9% of my NYU work was authentically mine. This was a one-time lapse in judgment.
Rather than fearing technology, we need to learn how to use it properly. ChatGPT is great for improving work you’ve already done, not replacing original thought. For instance, I write my own interview prep notes and then ask ChatGPT to summarize key points into bullet form. I’ll have it scan my completed resume to ensure it includes the right industry terms for healthcare and pharma PR—keeping my wording intact. I even use it to proofread emails, ensuring grammar and spelling are solid—something I’ve struggled with due to the cognitive effects of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. But I still make sure my voice remains intact.
Over time, ChatGPT learns my writing style, so its suggestions align more closely with what I want. When drafting blog posts, I often get a second opinion from a human editor, then feed their comments into ChatGPT for a third take. If I’m preparing for an interview, I’ll have it review my questions based on the job description and suggest improvements. I pick what works best.
Of course, I haven’t always used it wisely. Case in point: online dating. I’ve been on Hinge since I was 18, and as someone in a wheelchair, landing matches has been tough. Despite my quirky personality, I’d get ghosted or unmatched quickly. Losing confidence, I thought, “Hey, maybe ChatGPT can help make my texts a little sexier.” One of its responses cracked me up, so I used it—quotation marks and all. The girl instantly caught on, got turned off, and unmatched me even faster. A true Black Mirror moment.
At the end of the day, AI can assist us, but it can’t replace genuine human connection. Whether in writing or dating, authenticity wins. As NYU professor Scott Galloway puts it: “AI won’t take your job. Someone using AI will.” AI isn’t a savior, but those who use it smartly can work more efficiently and stand out. Ignore it completely, and you risk being outpaced by someone who knows how to key-term their resume just enough to land the job.
So, rather than fear technology, learn to integrate it wisely. Just don’t outsource your love life—or your degree—to a chatbot.
