Quick Start Guide to ChatGPT
Learn the basics. Ask better questions. Get better answers.
ChatGPT is a conversational AI that can help with research, writing, learning, and problem-solving. This page gives you the essentials to start quickly. For deep dives, use the side-nav tabs on the left and explore our Conversational AI Knowledge Base.
Getting Started
Tip: If available, sign in with your university/library account for the best access and settings continuity.
- Go to ChatGPT.
- Start with a simple task (e.g., “Explain X in two paragraphs for a college audience”).
- Iterate: ask follow-ups, provide context, and refine instructions.
Want a full walkthrough? Open the Getting Started tab in the side-nav for screenshots and account settings.
Asking Good Questions
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Golden Rule of Prompting
“If a human can’t follow your instructions clearly, the AI probably won’t either.”
✨ Short version: If it’s unclear to a person, it’s unclear to the model.
Better prompts → better answers. Use the Ask → Review → Revise method:
- Ask a clear, specific question with context and constraints.
- Review the answer for accuracy, scope, and missing pieces.
- Revise by adding details (audience, length, tone, examples, data you provide).
Example: — Vague: “Summarize this.” → Clear: “Summarize the 5 key findings in 3 bullets for non-experts.”
Example
❌ Weak: “Tell me about climate change.”
✅ Improved: “Summarize the key findings of the 2024 UN climate report in 200 words for a general-education science class. Include two cited data points.”
See the Asking Good Questions tab for templates, before/after examples, and common prompt patterns.
Using Study Mode
Study Mode guides you through a topic step-by-step with Socratic questions, short quizzes, and scaffolded explanations. It can also create practice sets from notes you provide.
- Great for concept review and exam prep.
- Upload your notes, readings, or slides to tailor practice.
- Use it for spaced retrieval practice.
Try this: “Create 10 flashcards from the attached lecture notes. Mix recall and application questions. Hide answers until clicked.”
Open the Using Study Mode tab for set-up steps and examples.
ChatGPT in Research
- Brainstorm and refine research questions.
- Summarize and compare sources you provide.
- Outline sections, explain methods, or generate study guides.
- Verify claims and track citations; avoid fabricated references.
Pro move: Pair ChatGPT with library databases. Paste key excerpts and ask for a compare/contrast table. Verify everything in the originals.
See the ChatGPT in Research tab for workflows and citation examples.
Tips & Best Practices
- Fact-check important claims; AI can be confidently wrong.
- Follow your institution’s AI use policy.
- Protect privacy—avoid sensitive data in prompts.
- Iterate with targeted follow-ups.
Checklist: Purpose → Audience → Scope/length → Examples/data → Format → Style/tone.
Open the Tips & Best Practices tab for more.
Next Steps
- Do one real task now (e.g., summarize a reading, draft an outline, make flashcards) and iterate twice.
- Explore more in the side-nav tabs.
- Visit the AI Knowledge Base for in-depth guides.
❓ Ready to test your skills? Take the ChatGPT Basics Quiz
A quick 10-question check to reinforce what you’ve learned on this page.
- 🧠 Covers prompts, sources/citations, and privacy best practices
- ⏱️ 3–4 minutes • instant feedback & score
- 📚 Links back to sections for review
Prefer more practice first? Try Study Mode.
