General Interest

AI in Education: The Significance of AI on Student Life

By: Justin Li

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a big part of school life. Many students use tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and QuillBot to help with homework and classwork. While these tools save time, make hard topics easier to understand, and improve writing, some worry that excessive AI use could lead to cheating or cause students to think for themselves less likely.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that can do tasks that humans typically do. Students use AI in the classroom to research, compile essays, receive feedback, and respond to inquiries. In the article, "Artificial Intelligence in Education: The Learning Revolution", author Stephen Noonoo claims that Edutopia "can help teachers personalize instruction for students, providing real-time feedback and adjusting lessons to meet individual needs." This demonstrates how AI can be applied to learning in more flexible and specific ways.

At Bayside High School, many students have shared their experiences using AI tools. Bayside High School Junior Linh Huynh said, “AI tools allow information to flow faster and make things accessible at the tip of the finger. However, if one overuses it, they may become dependent and lack the skills needed in daily life.” Her comment highlights how AI can be helpful but also risky if students rely on it too much.

Bayside High School junior, Lucas Gao, explained, “It definitely makes learning easier, to an extent. However, AI can sometimes give wrong information, and it’s hard to tell if it’s right without doing more research.” His statement reminds students that they still need to double-check what AI tells them and not accept everything as fact.

Bayside High School Junior Ashton Fang shared a more balanced perspective. “I personally have mixed feelings about this. AI tools are extremely helpful for education because they are easily accessible, personalized, and somewhat accurate,” he said. “However, it is also the cause of laziness and a lack of critical thinking. Many end up relying on AI to cheat on homework and classwork, so no learning is being done. Overall, the benefits and harms of AI tools ultimately depend on the way you use it.”

Bayside High School Junior Kyle Huang shared a more positive experience. “AI tools help me learn better because they break things down and explain them clearly,” he said. “When I don’t understand something, I can ask AI to explain it step by step.” For students like Kyle, AI can be a great way to get extra help when they’re stuck.

These remarks demonstrate the positive and negative aspects of AI. Students may learn more quickly and experience less stress as a result. However, it can also be abused. Instead of learning the material themselves, some students may use artificial intelligence (AI) to complete their assignments. This may restrict their comprehension and make it more difficult for educators to determine whether the work is unique.

In the end, AI can be a great tool for learning if students use it the right way. To make the most of AI without fostering dependence on it, schools should teach students how to use AI responsibly. When used well, it can help students improve their skills, get ready for the future, and stay engaged in their learning.

Thriving in High School: Advice for Underclassmen

By: Dylan Uludag 

Everybody remembers their first day of high school—a daunting yet memorable milestone for many. Some people spend the best days of their lives in high school, but the first step is adjusting to the new environment. The transition from middle school to high school can be intimidating and overwhelming, but it is something that can be overcome with time and guidance.

There are many challenges students face when first entering high school. A clear one is the change in environment. After three years of middle school, incoming freshmen are placed into a new and often larger setting that can take time to adjust to. The combination of this unfamiliar environment and being separated from close friends can create anxiety for many. 

Additionally, high school introduces more rigorous academic expectations. Some students even begin taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes as freshmen, which are taught at a college level. This new academic pressure—combined with the unfamiliar environment and shifting social dynamics—adds to the struggle of starting high school.

Offering advice to new freshmen can be beneficial in many ways. Practical advice can help students face the obstacles of their first year and navigate its hardships. Furthermore, freshman year often lays the foundation for the rest of the high school journey. According to “Does Freshman Year of High School Matter?”, an article by Caroline Koppelman from The Koppelman Group, “[Freshman year] will be the year where you have the most time and flexibility to develop the best habits and plan for getting the most out of your high school experience.” Freshman year paves the path to senior year. Good habits developed early and advice learned during this time will be essential to both academic and personal growth.

One important piece of advice for freshmen is to develop time-management skills. This can be difficult to master later on in high school or even in life, so working on it early can be especially beneficial. Being on top of your work, using your time effectively to study, and avoiding procrastination are all key habits. By simply staying on top of these three things, a student can set themselves up for long-term success. 

According to “Time Management: What Is It and Why Is It Important?”, an article by Sarah Zoloth from The National Society of High School Scholars, “Students face a myriad of responsibilities, including coursework, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and social engagements. Without proper time management, these demands can quickly become overwhelming, leading to stress, missed deadlines, and a detrimental impact on their overall well-being.” Developing strong time-management skills early in high school makes balancing academics and personal life much easier—an increasingly important skill as the workload grows over the years.

Another crucial piece of advice for freshmen is to explore. Use your time to try different extracurriculars, join clubs, or participate in a sport. Freshman year is the perfect time to discover what interests you. If you start playing a sport as a freshman, you’ll have years to grow and improve by the time you’re a senior. If you begin learning an instrument, you’ll see significant progress by the time you graduate. One huge advantage freshmen have is time—so use that time wisely. Find a passion that excites you and pursue it throughout high school and even beyond.