Free tools and your 30-day plan
Tools with a free version
- Chat assistants: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Microsoft Copilot. All have a free version with limits. Try two and keep the one that understands you best.
- Search with sources: Perplexity answers and shows where it got it from, so you can check.
- Study from your documents: Google’s NotebookLM answers only from the notes or PDFs you upload.
- Translating: DeepL or Google Translate.
- Design and video: Canva and CapCut have AI features for backgrounds, subtitles and editing.
Free-tier terms and limits change often. Don’t pay for anything until you use it daily and know what for.
Your 30-day plan
1Week 1Use it to understand things: ask it everything you don’t get at school or work.
2Week 2Practise prompts: role, task, context and format. Use the builder.
3Week 3Use it for something real: a CV, an ad, a quote. Check everything.
4Week 4Pick one use that saves you time every week and make it a habit.
Checklist
- ☐ I’ve tried at least two assistants.
- ☐ I’ve written a prompt with role, task, context and format.
- ☐ I’ve checked an answer against an official source.
- ☐ I’ve reviewed the privacy settings.
- ☐ I’ve agreed a code word with my family.
- ☐ I use AI for something useful every week.
AI doesn’t replace learning: it helps you learn faster if you put in the effort.