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Recommended School Products (ChatGPT Revised/Edited)

Using ChatGPT to revise/edit a previous blog page, in order to analyze the results.

https://soldiertostudent.blogspot.com/p/recommended-school-products.html 

“The author generated this text in part or in whole with ChatGPT, OpenAI’s large-scale language generation model.”

“Transitioning from military service to student life can be a challenging adjustment. Many student veterans haven’t attended in-person classes in years, and returning to an academic setting can feel overwhelming. One of the things that helped me was reaching out to a friend who was already in school to ask for recommendations on essential supplies. With that in mind, I want to share my own list of must-have items, why I found them useful, and specific brands I personally recommend.

Laptop

A laptop is, without a doubt, the most essential tool for student success. In my experience, nearly all classes require one, so it’s worth investing in a high-quality device. I personally use a MacBook, recommended by my brother, a computer science major and my go-to for tech advice. While it’s a great laptop with impressive longevity (mine still runs like new after four years), I’ve found it to be less user-friendly compared to brands like Dell, HP, or Acer. Additionally, MacBooks are significantly more expensive, so I frequently debate whether I’d repurchase one in the future.

iPad

Having an iPad for school has been a game-changer for me. While it’s not strictly necessary since a laptop can handle assignments, I find it incredibly useful, particularly for note-taking. I use the Notability app, which allows me to import documents from Canvas (my school’s online learning system) and annotate them with a stylus. Notability offers great features like text conversion and the ability to move written notes around, making studying more efficient. If you’re comfortable working on an iPad, it’s a fantastic addition to your toolkit, and often more affordable than a laptop.

Planner

I keep a small planner where I jot down assignments, deadlines, and exam dates. I found a simple one on Amazon that includes both daily sections and a monthly calendar. Staying organized is key, whether you prefer a physical planner, a digital calendar, or even just a notes app. Whatever method you choose, I highly recommend writing down all important dates to keep track of your workload.

Notebook

Although I rarely use a notebook, I keep one handy just in case. Some professors require handwritten notes or restrict open-note exams to physical copies, so having a notebook can save you from scrambling later. Whether you prefer taking notes digitally or on paper is a personal choice, but having at least one notebook available is a smart move.

Pencil Case

I bring a pencil case to class every day, stocked with multiple pencils (No. 2 for scantrons), pens, styluses, and a TI-84 calculator. Most of my supplies are from Amazon, though they’re available at most stores. I’ve been using cheap styluses from a bulk pack, but they wear out quickly. My friends highly recommend the Apple Pencil, which I plan to try next, though it’s on the pricier side.

Headphones/Earbuds

Beyond just using them for music on the way to class, good headphones or earbuds are essential for online courses. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I have three consecutive classes, with one being a live Zoom lecture. Since I don’t have time to return home between classes, I rely on my AirPods to tune into the online session from campus. If you’re considering over-ear headphones, Beats and AirPods Max receive great reviews, though the latter is quite expensive. Beats are a more budget-friendly alternative with solid performance.

Backpack

I use a North Face backpack, and I highly recommend it. Though pricier than some alternatives, it’s incredibly durable. I still have the one I used in high school, which is in great condition even after seven years, so I repurposed it as my gym bag and got a new one for school.

Final Thoughts

These are the essential supplies I recommend for starting the school year. I’m not sponsored by any of these brands—these are simply my personal favorites based on reliability and value. While I kept this list broad, some majors require specialized tools (for example, my roommate, an interior design major, needed a gaming computer for specific software). I suggest researching major-specific requirements before the semester starts.

I hope this guide helps! If you have any recommendations, drop them in the comments or message me with any questions—I’d love to hear from you!”

"This document was revised with assistance from ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI, to improve clarity, narrative flow, and word choice."


I used ChatGPT to edit and revise a previous webpage I have posted on my blog. It is linked at the top but I will link it below so you can read the original if you would like. 

https://soldiertostudent.blogspot.com/p/recommended-school-products.html 

This webpage titled “Recommended School Products” is my most visited page which is why I wanted to repost it after it had been edited by ChatGPT. I think it did a good job of clarifying my writing while still keeping it very personable. One thing I noticed is the use of dashes. I am very simple when it comes to punctuation. I rarely use dashes, colons, semicolons, ect. So it was interesting to me to see where I could use those devices to improve my writing. Besides that I noted vocabulary changes or sentence restructuring that did help my writing read better. An example of this is a sentence I wrote about having a notebook. I said “I did have one class that for the last exam was open notes but only hand written on paper (so I had to rewrite everything).” ChatGPT rewrote it as, “Some professors require handwritten notes or restrict open-note exams to physical copies, so having a notebook can save you from scrambling later.” This is a great example of how ChatGPT can strengthen your writing while not making it seem robotic. So long as you use proper citation, I highly recommend utilizing an AI platform to edit and revise your work. It may help your readers better understand what you are trying to impress upon them.


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