Do You Use ChatGPT to Study?

I’m in my mid-30s. I went to a traditional university and earned a BA. I also have an MA. I’m using WGU to get a BS in CS as a career change. I’m one of the only people back in school of my age group.

Things have changed since my college days over 15 years ago. I now use ChatGPT to study. I use it to bound ideas and questions off of. Its’s been a real game changer for studying.

Some of my friends that haven’t been in school since the Obama administration think ChatGPT is cheating. They’re asking me if I truly learn anything because I’m using it. I counter I’ve learned so much more because of it. I don’t have to wait for an instructor to send me a dumbass 30-45min rambling video explaining something ChatGPT can explain to me in 500 words or so. ChatGPT had the ability to explain a lot of things in a concise yet detailed manner. I speak to it like I’m speaking to another student.

Idk, I’m on my third degree, two earned the “traditional” way, I think I know if ChatGPT is cheating or not. I’ve never asked it to write me a paper, I can do that myself. It’s a tool, not a crutch.

Do you folks use ChatGPT to study or am I being sensitive?