Key points:
- Academic burnout worries students–but generative AI tools can lighten the load
- HBCUs and the potential for disruptive AI innovation
- The ethical dilemma of AI in classrooms: Who decides what we teach?
- For more news on leveraging AI for learning, visit eCN’s AI in Education hub
College students often find it challenging to read, organize, and create large volumes of course materials across multiple subjects each semester. This level of investment in tedious, administrative work–like managing and preparing study materials–can lead to burnout and detract from meaningful learning.
Balancing resources such as textbooks, articles, lecture slides, syllabi, notes, and study guides can overwhelm students, affecting their comprehension and potentially impacting their readiness for life after graduation.
To better understand these challenges, Adobe Acrobat surveyed 1,000 college students across the U.S. to identify their common study struggles. In addition, the Adobe Acrobat team analyzed student handbooks and guidelines from colleges and universities nationwide to explore how higher education is incorporating generative AI policies that support faculty and students in using these tools safely and responsibly in their academic work.
According to the survey, 61 percent of college students cited heavy reading as a leading cause of academic burnout. On average, full-time students spend 28 hours each month reading and comprehending course materials to complete their assignments, and they spend an average of 24 hours each month creating new study materials to prepare for exams.
What causes academic burnout? Heavy reading or assignment loads (61 percent), balancing work and studying (60 percent), lack of sleep (58 percent), poor time management (56 percent), pressure to achieve high grades (54 percent), and financial stress (52 percent).
Students’ top studying challenge is procrastination (72 percent), followed by academic burnout (63 percent), getting distracted on social media (60 percent), managing time efficiently between multiple classes (59 percent), coping with anxiety and stress relating to academic performance (57 percent), and retaining information for long periods of time (51 percent).
Female students experience academic burnout 28 percent more than male students.
College students are increasingly turning to generative AI tools to enhance their learning and recognize the importance of developing AI skills for their future careers. With nearly 80 percent of respondents expressing interest in AI courses to better prepare for the workforce, the survey findings highlight the growing impact of generative AI on the college experience.
Generative AI is widely adopted in coursework, with 9 out of 10 students using these tools–and over half (54 percent) relying on them at least once a week. Despite this, 80 percent expressed concern about the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content.
Additionally, 77 percent of students believe colleges should offer AI skills courses to better prepare them for future careers. Among four-year universities analyzed, 79 percent permit the use of AI tools for study prep, such as creating notecards and study guides.
The survey revealed that students who use AI tools weekly are 17 percent less likely to experience anxiety and stress related to academic performance compared to those who do not use AI.
According to the survey, these are the top types of AI tools that students rely on most to assist with studies:
- Writing tools (55 percent)
- Chatbots (45 percent)
- Research tools (40 percent)
- Reading and document summary tools (33 percent)
- Despite cost barriers, many have confidence in higher ed - May 21, 2025
- When it comes to microcredentials, students are all in - May 15, 2025
- Community college students have mixed feelings about AI - May 14, 2025