How I prep for engineering exams with AI without becoming dependent on it.
Engineering at Tsinghua is dense. AI is the only reason I keep up without burning out. Here's the rule I follow: AI explains, I solve. Never the other way around.
Before the lecture
I read the chapter once, fast, then ask Claude to quiz me on the core ideas. Wrong answers tell me what to focus on in lecture.
During problem sets
If I'm stuck, I ask for a hint, never the answer. Specifically: 'what's the first concept I should re-check?' This keeps me thinking.
The trap to avoid
Asking AI for full solutions on practice problems. You'll pass the homework and fail the exam. The point of homework is the struggle, not the answer.
Written by Holly in Beijing. Notes get longer as I learn more. If you spot something off, find me in the footer.