#student apps

[inkskinned]

i have chronic pain. i am neurodivergent. i understand - deeply - the allure of a "quick fix" like AI. i also just grew up in a different time. we have been warned about this.

15 entire years ago i heard about this. in my forensics class in high school, we watched a documentary about how AI-based "crime solving" software was inevitably biased against people of color.

my teacher stressed that AI is like a book: when someone writes it, some part of the author will remain within the result. the internet existed but not as loudly at that point - we didn't know that AI would be able to teach itself off already-biased Reddit threads. i googled it: yes, this bias is still happening. yes, it's just as bad if not worse.

i can't actually stop you. if you wanna use ChatGPT to slide through your classes, that's on you. it's your money and it's your time. you will spend none of it thinking, you will learn nothing, and, in college, you will piss away hundreds of thousands of dollars. you will stand at the podium having done nothing, accomplished nothing. a cold and bitter pyrrhic victory.

i'm not even sure students actually read the essays or summaries or emails they have ChatGPT pump out. i think it just flows over them and they use the first answer they get. my brother teaches engineering - he recently got fifty-three copies of almost-the-exact-same lab reports. no one had even changed the wording.

and yes: AI itself (as a concept and practice) isn't always evil. there's AI that can help detect cancer, for example. and yet: when i ask my students if they'd be okay with a doctor that learned from AI, many of them balk. it is one thing if they don't read their engineering textbook or if they don't write the critical-thinking essay. it's another when it starts to affect them. they know it's wrong for AI to broad-spectrum deny insurance claims, but they swear their use of AI is different.

there's a strange desire to sort of divorce real-world AI malpractice over "personal use". for example, is it moral to use AI to write your cover letters? cover letters are essentially only templates, and besides: AI is going to be reading your job app, so isn't it kind of fair?

i recently found out that people use AI as a romantic or sexual partner. it seems like teenagers particularly enjoy this connection, and this is one of those "sticky" moments as a teacher. honestly - you can roast me for this - but if it was an actually-safe AI, i think teenagers exploring their sexuality with a fake partner is amazing. it prevents them from making permanent mistakes, it can teach them about their bodies and their desires, and it can help their confidence. but the problem is that it's not safe. there isn't a well-educated, sensitive AI specifically to help teens explore their hormones. it's just internet-fed cycle. who knows what they're learning. who knows what misinformation they're getting.

the most common pushback i get involves therapy. none of us have access to the therapist of our dreams - it's expensive, elusive, and involves an annoying amount of insurance claims. someone once asked me: are you going to be mad when AI saves someone's life?

therapists are not just trained on the book, they're trained on patient management and helping you see things you don't see yourself. part of it will involve discomfort. i don't know that AI is ever going to be able to analyze the words you feed it and answer with a mind towards the "whole person" writing those words. but also - if it keeps/kept you alive, i'm not a purist. i've done terrible things to myself when i was at rock bottom. in an emergency, we kind of forgive the seatbelt for leaving bruises. it's just that chat shouldn't be your only form of self-care and recovery.

and i worry that the influence chat has is expanding. more and more i see people use chat for the smallest, most easily-navigated situations. and i can't like, make you worry about that in your own life. i often think about how easy it was for social media to take over all my time - how i can't have a tiktok because i spend hours on it. i don't want that to happen with chat. i want to enjoy thinking. i want to enjoy writing. i want to be here. i've already really been struggling to put the phone down. this feels like another way to get you to pick the phone up.

the other day, i was frustrated by a book i was reading. it's far in the series and is about a character i resent. i googled if i had to read it, or if it was one of those "in between" books that don't actually affect the plot (you know, one of those ".5" books). someone said something that really stuck with me - theoretically you're reading this series for enjoyment, so while you don't actually have to read it, one would assume you want to read it.

i am watching a generation of people learn they don't have to read the thing in their hand. and it is kind of a strange sort of doom that comes over me: i read because it's genuinely fun. i learn because even though it's hard, it feels good. i try because it makes me happy to try. and i'm watching a generation of people all lay down and say: but i don't want to try.

[koiblossom5]

As a chinese-canadian and a long-time user of xhs (xiaohongshu/little red book) I thought it might help to have some information and gentle reminders addressing the many rules + what kinds of content you can post on the app :)

To start, there's a lot of misconception about being able to post anime content. We aren't averse to Japanese content or media- as a matter of fact, there's a pretty big anime and cosplay community, especially on xhs!

Here are some photos from my trip to suzhou! (dungeon meshi and skip to loafer content was a mythical pull lol)

With that being said, it is disrespectful and offensive to post media and content containing or associating with the glorification/apologia, themes, symbols, etc., of Japanese imperialism and involvement during WWII. This includes AOT, MHA, and many other other popular animes.

Please note that I do not support censorship: I believe that people should have the freedom to post, express, and create media on social media platforms as well as have the ability to watch different kinds of shows - but considering xhs is an app from a foreign country, it is important to contextualize its local policies through historical lens. I strongly implore non-Chinese users to research Unit 731 and the Nanjing Massacre to better understand why certain types of content from Japan are banned and blacklisted in China.

2. There are active LGBTQ+ communities on xhs- and for many queer people in China, where the country's ideologies are still pre-dominantly conservative, social media platforms is one the few safe spaces where they can express their sexuality and/or gender identity, particularly for wlw (or le). It is important to keep in mind that progress in the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the East, specifically China, is at a very different stage compared to the West; please be respectful of the fact that the Chinese LGBTQ+ community has their own culture, their own slang, and their own ways of expression in a country where LGBTQ+ people continue to face legal and social discrimination.

3. When you first create your account, you might be quite daunted by the long, long, long list of rules and community guidelines, specifically the first section, where it states, "1. Values - XiaoHongShu encourages users to post content that aligns with current positive social values. All content posted should:

Adhere to the Chinese Constitution and laws.

Practice the core socialist values. (A list of values promoted by the Chinese government, which includes: prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, the rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, and friendship)

Promote patriotism, collectivism, and socialism.

Spread the correct views on history, nationality, state, and culture.

Promote the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation.

Uphold social ethics, professional ethics, family and personal virtues, and respect public order and good customs.

Promote scientific thinking and popularize scientific knowledge.

Advocate a positive, healthy, and progressive lifestyle and social trends."

No, this does not mean the content you post or interact with has to be about praising the CCP or saying, "I love communism!! 🤩". It just means you cannot be comparing Xi Jinping to W*nnie the P*oh (ifyyk).

The point is, try to avoid political discourse or criticism regarding the Chinese government on xhs, especially since xhs is a platform more akin to Pinterest or Instagram, where its more so a lighthearted place for travel tips, recipes, aesthetic fashion and makeup tips and inspiration, cosplay, cute animal videos, productive lifestyle and snapshots of simple life, etc! You can still discuss different things about Chinese culture and society, such as healthcare system, attitudes toward foreigners, income and spending, etc. But please be mindful that there are real people behind the screen; people who are not their government. I promise you, Chinese people are just as capable of poking fun, referencing brainrot, and interacting with non-Chinese people normally 💀.

Anyways, please take the time to review these rules and guidelines, especially since xhs is very strict about implementing them and can potentially lead to your account getting banned. This includes things such as:

excessive displays of wealth (be considerate of others' financial situations)

only sharing scientifically proven information/avoiding misinformation (no pseudoscience)

respecting boundaries (no nudity or sexual/sexually suggestive behavior; you can definitely show skin, but if you're making a grwm video please don't show up in your underwear - even on tiktok I never understood why influencers do that 😅)

etc, etc.

Many of the community guidelines are in line with social norms that are prominent in East Asia, which is understanding that a social media platform is a public space to be shared with others in a civil and respectful manner. And many of these guidelines refer to explicitness as a measurement - (fake) blood is fine, but gore and other such obscenities are not. You can kiss your significant other in a cute video, but you shouldn't be posting each other fornicating (this applies to both heterosexual and homosexual couples). You can swear, but you shouldn't be yelling racial slurs. Honestly, a lot of this is just common sense - xhs is supposed to be a wholesome, inspirational, and chill space!

4. Take this as an opportunity to learn about another culture, another language, and even make new friends! As long as you're civil, kind and respectful, xhs is super fun and entertaining! Of course, it's not representative of the Chinese internet space as a whole; the majority of users are women (so consider using "sis" or 姐 instead of "dude" or "bro" ). With that in mind, please be respectful in your comments - many of the women posting makeup edits or fashion videos are seeking appreciation, not sexual harassment 😅 even if a someone is posting a thirst trap, try to be tastefully humorous! If you're trying to communicate in Mandarin, I would suggest using the simplified Chinese Pinyin keyboard (QWERTY) and start learning the four different intonations of each character so you are able to sound out and type sentences using the alphabetical keyboard!

I hope this was helpful and legible, even if by a marginal amount (if this was actually incoherent, I apologize, I learned English by watching My Little Pony💀), and I hope everyone has a really fun experience on the app!

[radios-universe]

oh no… diagnosis is loneliness… my heart is breaking… i need a non-dating dating app to find aroace people in my area NOW STAT

[stripedstarsblueflags]

Fanfiction is not an industry.

There are no publishing houses, professional editors, algorithms, distribution managers, talent agents, or, in almost all cases, profit.

Fanfiction is the result of hardworking creative individuals choosing to share their passions and imaginations with no tangible benefit to themselves.

Fanfiction is not, and never has been, an industry.

[mi-studies]

[research life]

Studied at the library during the morning (class was canceled for the week), and then studied with friends in the afternoon :) very productive day since i’m going on a mini vacation tomorrow 🥹🌤️

🎧: first burn

📚: you, again by kate goldbeck (actually really enjoying this😭)

[ashs-reverie]

2nd May - 10 Days until Finals

I studied for a long time but it wasn't very productive. I read one page over 3 times before it actually went in my head, then more time for making notes of it. It was so frustrating. I am already behind schedule and the days left for finals are going to be single digits from tmrw. Lets hope i don't die from anxiety till then..

I hope today is better :)

[tranquilstudy]

march 28th 2025

manifesting good news 🧿 reminder that you can tag me in your stuff with #hiyatranquil !

📖: mockingjay — suzanne collins

🎥: Dracula (1992)

🎮: Ace Attorney Investigations: Prosecutor’s Gambit (A Turnabout Forsaken)

📺: The Pitt

🎧: lasts forever — scenic route to alaska

[lovesodeepandwideandwell]

Some days it's important to dress up nice and proper to feel great, and SOME days it's important to dress like a deranged weirdo to emphasize that It's Not That Important Actually

[firefly-factory]

WIP Wednesday!

Thanks for tagging me @skyrim-forever @thequeenofthewinter @theoneandonlysemla @pocket-vvardvark @lillxart I love seeing what yall have been working on <3

Pretty late so I'm not sure who's already been tagged, but I'll go ahead and get @emicat1159 @changelingsandothernonsense and @edgy-dragon-trash No pressure as always :)

So I'm still in skyrim brain today, with some college of winterhold shenanigans! Orthorn is the most pituful character i know and so I had to write something about him. Not sure how far I'll go with this, but thought I'd share nevertheless. Below the cut for length

-

Orthorn disappeared in the wee smalls of the morning, although it was only hours later, after two meals had passed, that anyone noticed he was missing. It was not unusual for students at the College of Winterhold to wander. Beyond that, it was not terribly unusual for students to disappear.

To put it bluntly, there was little interest in Orthorn, or his disappearance, until weeks after the event. Even then, they were more interested in what he had disappeared with, rather than why he had vanished in the first place.

He was a weak-willed man, known for blindly following anyone more powerful than him (which is to say, anyone at all). The few impressions he left were those of vague association, which made investigation that much harder.

In the initial stages of the investigation the students were asked simply, "Has anyone seen Orthorn recently?"

However, more often than not the answer was simply, "Who?"

"Orthorn."

"No, I don't think so."

Occasionally they would talk to someone with a clearer recollection of the mer, though even then it was in association with someone else:

"Wasn't he the fellow who used to follow Yisra around before she vanished? Nope, haven't seen him in ages."

A spare handful were less surprised to hear he was missing, and more shocked that it was a (relatively) recent event.

"Wait. He still goes here?"

"Apparently not. Went missing or something."

"Huh. Oh by the way, did you hear Collete's tirade about those notes? Apparently. . ."

All in all, there were few people who had noticed Orthorn, and even fewer who noticed he was gone. Poor sod.

-

[solarsapphic]

a day at the library <3

got some work done for my government and anthropology classes today !! also i need to find a new studying playlist bc i cannot keep looping the one i have now lol

[lecouchpotat0]

9.11.2024. || Saturday

Hii ❤️

◇ Study time: 3h 23min

Continued studying for my object-oriented programming test 👩‍💻

- 14/50 problems solved

◇ My mom invited guests over today, so I didn't have time to study enough. At least the food was bomb 💯

◇ Workout ✅ - Le Sserafim workout day 7! I think I did something to my shoulder 🥲

_____________

📚Currently reading: Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) - Sahra J. Maas (progress: 492 /981 pages)

[hsslilly-blog]

rehashing an old post but i think a lot about how in trying to absolve hunt instead of seriously addressing the power imbalance/impropriety of the relationship between him and the mc, pixelberry chose to make it so it’s the mc “pursuing” hunt and being really forceful about it. in this case, it’d be okay because it’s not him being weird and, well, the mc really, really wants this! this was not an well thought out decision because 1. it doesn’t remove the need to address a professor dating his student, and whatever that means for both parts + the story they’re in, and 2. in the process they make mc a person with no respect for boundaries who quite literally stalks this man and assaults him under false pretences. not to mention how the writing in these quests is confusing and contradictory (the mc is written in two different ways at different times, whatever the plot is in need). just… really bad on all fronts

[medicineinside]

28 September 2023

Another day - another study session 📑 Studying cytology 🔬

[studywithmith]

How to study for long hours/

I find it easier to study with the pomodoro method, where you focus for 25 minutes at least and then take a break.

However during exam preparation or whenever we have situations where there’s a lot of portions to cover, focusing is really hard. We often get distracted by our phones and devices as well as social media.

So I introduce my favourite life changing app!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this app, it’s available on both android and iOS.

It basically has a feature where you can choose the apps you want for studying and the rest of the apps are blocked.

It also has a study log where it basically tracks how long you study for a subject.

It allows me to use the apps that I WANT for studying as well as block social media. It reduces my screen time and distractions immensely and I’m able to focus much better !

(Ps- this is not sponsored)

I hope this helps!

Love,

Mith <3

[snonkerdoodlefizzy221b]

you should ALWAYS ask who it is if a random number texts u. cuz i had a thing going on at school and someone texted me to give them some information and i thought it was one of the student leaders so i texted using a very minimal amount of Gen z slang. asked who it was. turns out it was a teacher

[coffeeismycallsign]

study night ✈️