Study BuddyWhat to ask Buddy, the Study Buddy helper
If you've used Study Buddy, you may have spotted Buddy: the little green book with a graduation cap in the bottom-right corner. Hover over him and he waves. Click him and a chat opens. He's an AI helper, so he isn't a teacher, but he's quick, patient and doesn't mind the same question twice. Here's how to get the best from him.
What Buddy can do
- Answer questions about a topic and explain it in plain words.
- Suggest how to revise, using methods like active recall and spaced repetition.
- Search the web for resources such as revision books, past papers or exam dates, and tell you which sites his suggestions came from.
- Open the tools for you, such as flashcards, quizzes or the scanner, if you ask.
- Use your progress. He can see which topics you've been scoring on, so he can suggest what to work on next.
Good things to ask
Planning
- "I've got a chemistry test in two weeks. Can you help me make a plan?"
- "What should I work on next?"
- "How do I revise efficiently when I only have 30 minutes?"
Understanding
- "Explain osmosis like I'm 12."
- "What's the difference between describe and explain in exam questions?"
- "Why do we use significant figures?"
Resources
- "What are the best revision books for GCSE history?"
- "Where can I find free past papers for my exam board?"
Motivation and study skills
- "I keep procrastinating. What's a first step I can take?"
- "How do I stop blanking in exams?"
Get better answers
- Say your level and subject. "GCSE biology, higher tier" gives a better answer than "biology".
- Tell him what you've tried. "I've read the chapter but I don't remember it" points to active recall.
- Ask him to quiz you. "Ask me five questions on cells, one at a time."
- Ask for the next step. "What's the first thing I should do?"
Remember his limits
- He can be wrong. Check important facts against your textbook or teacher. When he recommends a book or website, treat it as a lead and check it exists and suits your exam board.
- He isn't a counsellor. If you're feeling overwhelmed, talk to a trusted adult. Childline is free on 0800 1111.
- He uses your daily allowance. Each message counts as one AI request on your plan, so make them count.
- Keep it private. Don't share personal details such as your address or phone number.
He won't do your homework for you
Buddy is built to help you learn, so for homework questions he'll lean towards explaining the method and checking your understanding rather than handing over an answer to copy. That's on purpose: you'll need to do it yourself in the exam.
Try this first
Open Buddy and ask: "I'm studying [subject] and I've got [number] weeks until my exam. Can you help me plan my first week?" Then do the first task he suggests.