Artificial Intelligence is everywhere these days, from the news headlines to the apps on your phone. But did you know it can also be a helpful companion in your studies? Tools like ChatGPT can support your learning journey if you use them thoughtfully and ethically.
Here at South College, we care deeply about academic integrity. The AI tools you might use, like ChatGPT, are incredibly powerful, but they are not meant to replace your own critical thinking or research skills. Think of them as a study buddy. They can help clarify tricky concepts or spark ideas, but they should never do the heavy lifting for you.
Ways to Use AI to Support (Not Replace) Your Learning
If you've ever stared blankly at a complicated journal article or dense textbook chapter, you’re not alone. One great way to use AI ethically is to ask it to paraphrase or simplify tough text so you can understand it better. You are still responsible for doing the actual work, like reading, analyzing, and forming your own conclusions, but this can help you get past that initial “what is this even saying?” moment.
Another helpful idea is to use ChatGPT to organize your time. Try feeding it all your upcoming assignments and due dates, then ask for a sample study schedule. You can adjust the plan to fit your style, but it is a great starting point when things feel overwhelming.
Need help brainstorming paper topics? You can bounce ideas off ChatGPT and get suggestions for themes or angles to explore. Just remember, coming up with the final thesis and arguments is your responsibility.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
While AI can be a great helper, there are lines you should not cross. For example, at South College, if you use AI-generated content in your assignments, you need to properly cite it. Submitting AI-generated work as your own without acknowledging it could lead to academic penalties under the Academic Honor Code.
It is also important not to use AI to do assignments that require your personal analysis, creative thinking, or moral reasoning. Your professors want to hear your voice and see your skills grow. AI is not capable of ethical judgment or genuine creativity. That is all you.
Plus, avoid using AI for tasks that involve interacting with people, like interviewing subjects for a research project. AI might sound smart, but it cannot replicate real human experiences or emotions.
Check Yourself Before You Submit
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, "Am I using this tool to understand and support my learning, or to do the work for me?"
When in doubt, always check the South College AI Policy. You can find it in the Student Handbook or on our library’s AI resource guide. It is always better to be safe than sorry, and it will help you feel confident that you are staying on the right side of academic integrity.
If you are curious to learn more about AI, we have a lot of additional resources available. From videos and documentaries to ebooks, you can take a deep dive into the history, use, and future potential of AI. You can find these through our AI library guide, which includes content from Films On Demand and carefully curated ebooks from the South College Library.
At the end of the day, AI can be an amazing partner in your education. Just remember, it should always help you shine, not take your place.
Finals period is a stressful time in the life of students. Looming deadlines, late-night study sessions, and fear of failure can create anxiety, loss of sleep, and potentially even impact student performance on final exams and papers. Students need healthy outlets and productive coping mechanisms for stress and in order to perform their academic best.
Believe it or not, a simple and accessible stress-busting strategy already exists: coloring.
The Case for Coloring
While most of us enjoyed (or at least, participated in) coloring as kids, not many of us have had an excuse to break out the crayon box since—until recently. Adult coloring as a trend has taken off since the mid-2010s, with many sources citing the publication of the Secret Garden coloring book by Johanna Basford in 2013 as a catalyst. Since then, many libraries have capitalized on the trend by offering coloring clubs and events for adults (Roy & Edwards, 2025; Blackburn & Chamley, 2016). These events have been very successful, with participants noting that they color to relieve stress or anxiety, unplug from technology, or as a form of socialization.
Why Coloring Works
Studies have shown that—even more than reading or even drawing—coloring boosts mood, mindfulness, and emotional regulation while also reducing anxiety (Holt et al., 2019; Turturro & Drake, 2022). Researchers have theorized that coloring, especially coloring repetitive patterns such as mandalas, promotes flow, or a positive state of mind in which an individual is fully absorbed with a focused task in front of them (Flicker et al., 2025). Coloring helps refocus the mind away from stressful thoughts of exams into a positive, creative mindset. This allows students to recenter, regroup, and cope better with the stressful finals period.
Come Color with Us
South College Library wants to help you de-stress this finals period by offering a variety of relaxing coloring sheets and colored pencils in each of its campus Resource Centers. Coloring supplies will be available December 12–18. We invite you to take a break from studying to Color and be Calm with us!
Get the Coloring Sheets
Can't make it to a library or resource center this week? No worries! Click an image below to download the corresponding coloring sheet. Print it out and color your stress away at home.
Library Resources
Still stressed out? Check out these library resources below on ways to reduce your stress through mindfulness and meditation.
Publication Date: 2021
Publication Date: 2022
Publication Date: 2023
Sources
Blackburn, H. & Chamley, C. E. (2016). Color Me Calm: Adult coloring and the university library. Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings, 6(1), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.4148/2160-942X.1053
Flicker, S. M., Sancier-Barbosa, F., Tang, A. N., Ho, A., Zhong, S., Alafranji, R. R., & Clemons-Castanos, C. R. (2025). Mechanisms of anxiety reduction during adult coloring: Mindfulness, flow, enjoyment, and distraction. Mindfulness, 16(6), 1693–1704. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-025-02586-9
Holt, N. J., Furbert, L. & Sweetingham, E. (2019). Cognitive and affective benefits of coloring: Two randomized controlled crossover studies. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 36(4), 200-208. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2019.1645498
Roy, A. & Edwards, B. F. R. (April 29, 2025). The Ol’ Medical Coloring Book: Reducing student stress through playful library outreach. The Journal of Creative Library Practice. Retrieved from: https://creativelibrarypractice.org/2025/04/29/the-ol-medical-colouring-book/
Turturro, N., & Drake, J. E. (2022). Does coloring reduce anxiety? Comparing the psychological and psychophysiological benefits of coloring versus drawing. Empirical Studies of the Arts, 40(1), 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/0276237420923290