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This content is intended to highlight best practices for AI use when it is allowed. Remember to check the syllabus for each course for instructors' guidelines. 

AI can be an incredible tool, but like any tool or resource, it’s only effective when used properly. This blog highlights common pitfalls students encounter when using AI and offers strategies to help you use it responsibly and effectively. 

In previous blogs, we outlined general best practices for using AI, as well as a framework for prompting AI. Now, we’re taking a closer look at some of the most frequent mistakes students make when using AI in their academic and everyday lives. 

1. Over Relying on AI 

AI can feel like a go-to solution for every challenge, whether you’re stuck on an assignment, unsure of how to start a paper, or need help editing and revising. 

However, leaning on it too often can hurt you and your ability to think for yourself. 

Many people use AI for “cognitive offloading,” or reducing mental effort by outsourcing tasks to tools. If you’ve ever written down your grocery list instead of remembering it, set an alarm to remind you of a meeting, or used a GPS to get somewhere, you’ve engaged in cognitive offloading! 

That can be helpful in daily life, but in educational settings, . Students who frequently turn to AI for cognitive offloading may be less likely to engage deeply with their coursework or develop their own problem-solving abilities. 

Use AI in a way that supports critical thinking, not replaces it. 

2. Skipping the Edit 

Have you ever read something and instantly thought, That sounds like it was written by a bot? You were probably right. 

AI tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini don’t understand language the way humans do. They predict the most likely next word based on patterns in the data they were trained on, which means their writing can sound robotic, overly formal, or just... off. 

since 2022. Overuse of these words can make writing feel generic or unnatural. 

Worse, AI is often known to hallucinate, or generate false or misleading information that sounds plausible but isn’t accurate. 

That’s why it’s critical to revise, fact-check, and add your own voice to anything AI produces. At the end of the day, you’re accountable for what you turn in, so make sure it reflects your thinking and meets your instructor’s expectations. 

3. Ignoring Course Policies 

As of April 2025, there’s no campus-wide policy on AI use at UL Lafayette, which means guidelines vary by college, department, and individual instructor. 

Some instructors may permit AI for brainstorming or outlining but prohibit its use in writing assignments. Others may not allow it at all. 

Using AI in ways that violate your course’s policies can be considered academic misconduct. That could result in a failing grade on the assignment or referral to . 

Before using AI in any course, review the syllabus and ask your instructor if you’re unsure what’s allowed. When in doubt, ask! 

4. Weak Prompting 

The quality of your AI output depends on the quality of your input. A vague or overly simple prompt is likely to result in a vague or unhelpful response from the AI tool you’re using. Think of it this way: garbage in, garbage out. 

A strong prompt includes details like: 

• The intended audience for the output
• What the output should look like (e.g. bullet points, outline, paragraph)
• The tone or voice (e.g. formal, conversational, persuasive)
• Any key points or requirements to include 

While AI can assist with a variety of tasks, crafting effective prompts is a skill that takes practice. Don’t expect perfect results right away, and don’t expect the tool to "do your work" for you. 

Final Thoughts 

AI can enhance your learning experience when used thoughtfully, but it isn’t a shortcut to success. Avoiding these common mistakes will help you make the most of AI while staying true to your academic goals. 

Use AI to support your learning, not replace it. Always revise, verify, and add your own voice. And most importantly, stay informed about your course’s AI policies. 

In the end, you — not the AI chat tool — are doing the learning.