Data Analysis Presentation
KU student says she’s “just surviving” as AI shortcuts reshape coursework
LAWRENCE, Kan. — It was almost 11 p.m. when Addey Wade, a sophomore journalism student at the University of Kansas, opened ChatGPT in a new tab. She had a 10-page essay due at midnight, a 40-hour-a-week job, and a full course load. Burned out and out of time, she pasted the prompt in.
Wade is not alone. A generation of college students has come to treat coursework as a checklist of tasks to clear rather than material to learn. A 2025 Inside Higher Ed survey found that 85 percent of college students used generative AI for schoolwork in the past year. At KU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, staff say they’re seeing the cost, burnout, anxiety and a quiet sense among students that something has gone missing.
Wade woke up at 9 a.m. most days to keep up with 17 credit hours. She worked double shifts to be able to pay for housing and groceries, and tries to maintain her relationships with her friends in between. By the time she sits down to do her coursework, she said, there’s nothing left.
“I am just surviving. I am overwhelmed by what life is throwing at me,” Wade said. “Allowing AI to help me every once in a while is not wrong, I just want to graduate.”
A 2026 USC study surveyed 1,000 U.S. college students, and found that students use AI as a way a shortcut for quick answers that do not require a lot of work. A separate study from researchers at Wharton found that students who use AI scored higher on practice problems but learned less in the long run.
Wade turned to AI to assist her with an assignment that she did not understand completely, and it is too late to ask her professor for assistance. She pasted her prompt and notes into ChatGPT and asked it to simplify the task or build an outline. She did not submit assignments that were entirely AI-generated, she said. She uses it to spark ideas and get a better understanding of what she is supposed to do.
The cost is showing up across Wade’s life. She skipped meals because there are not enough hours in the day, found herself wanting to be alone, and said her physical and mental health have both taken a hit since college got harder. She sought medical help to manage her mental health. Friends she used to enjoy spending time with have started to feel like a hassle.
Wade’s experience matches what national data has tracked for years. A 2024-2025 study found 37 percent of U.S. college students screened positive for moderate or severe depression, and 33 percent for anxiety. At KU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, staff are seeing the same pattern.
Sally Burns, outreach coordinator and embedded clinician at KU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, said students typically experience their greatest stress at the end of the semester. In her 13 years in college counseling, end-of-semester demand has always spiked, she said. CAPS expanded its drop-in availability during the last two weeks of every semester to meet rising demand, she said.
When students describe burnout, Burns said, they often talk about feeling unmotivated and pulling back from self-care. This is the same feeling that Wade described in her own life. Burns said the pressure to perform for GPA, jobs and graduation increases stress and anxiety, which in turn affects concentration and self-care.
She also mentioned seeing something new this year. Some students are using AI not just for coursework, but for emotional support, advice and guidance. Students turn to chatbots in moments they might once have brought to a friend or a counselor.
KU CAPS offers same-day drop-in support from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays at Watkins Health Building. First-time appointments are covered by the campus wellness fee. Students can also access Mantra Health, a free 24-hour mental health service available to KU students.
Months after that 11 p.m. paste into ChatGPT, Wade is still pushing through to graduation. But she said the system she’s pushing through isn’t really working.
“College’s structure fails to see the main goal,” Wade said. “I’m scared I am not going to get a job to support myself.”
Script:
[0:00]
It was almost 11 p.m. when Addey Wade, a sophomore at KU, opened ChatGPT to finish a 10-page
essay due at midnight.
[0:08]
Wade works a 40-hour-a-week job, carries 17 credit hours, and says by the time she sits down to
do schoolwork, there’s nothing left.
[0:18]
She isn’t alone. A national survey this year found 85 percent of college students used AI for
coursework.
[0:25]
At KU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, staff say they’re seeing the cost — burnout,
anxiety, and students pulling back from the people and habits that used to keep them going.
[0:34]
Outreach coordinator Sally Burns says some students are now using AI not just for
coursework, but for emotional support — turning to chatbots in moments they might once have
brought to a friend.
[0:44]
For Wade, college has started to feel like a checklist of tasks to clear. She says she’s just
trying to graduate.
[0:52]
But she’s not sure the system she’s pushing through is preparing her for what comes next.
Contact Info:
Addey Wade
813-964-9495
Sally Burns
sally.burns@ku.edu
Work Cited:
Insider Ed Survey
USC Study
Wharton Study
Mantra Health
High 5 Study
Download Article - CLICK HERE
KU student says she’s “just surviving” as AI shortcuts reshape coursework
LAWRENCE, Kan. — It was almost 11 p.m. when Addey Wade, a sophomore journalism student at the University of Kansas, opened ChatGPT in a new tab. She had a 10-page essay due at midnight, a 40-hour-a-week job, and a full course load. Burned out and out of time, she pasted the prompt in.
Wade is not alone. A generation of college students has come to treat coursework as a checklist of tasks to clear rather than material to learn. A 2025 Inside Higher Ed survey found that 85 percent of college students used generative AI for schoolwork in the past year. At KU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, staff say they’re seeing the cost, burnout, anxiety and a quiet sense among students that something has gone missing.
Wade woke up at 9 a.m. most days to keep up with 17 credit hours. She worked double shifts to be able to pay for housing and groceries, and tries to maintain her relationships with her friends in between. By the time she sits down to do her coursework, she said, there’s nothing left.
“I am just surviving. I am overwhelmed by what life is throwing at me,” Wade said. “Allowing AI to help me every once in a while is not wrong, I just want to graduate.”
A 2026 USC study surveyed 1,000 U.S. college students, and found that students use AI as a way a shortcut for quick answers that do not require a lot of work. A separate study from researchers at Wharton found that students who use AI scored higher on practice problems but learned less in the long run.
Wade turned to AI to assist her with an assignment that she did not understand completely, and it is too late to ask her professor for assistance. She pasted her prompt and notes into ChatGPT and asked it to simplify the task or build an outline. She did not submit assignments that were entirely AI-generated, she said. She uses it to spark ideas and get a better understanding of what she is supposed to do.
The cost is showing up across Wade’s life. She skipped meals because there are not enough hours in the day, found herself wanting to be alone, and said her physical and mental health have both taken a hit since college got harder. She sought medical help to manage her mental health. Friends she used to enjoy spending time with have started to feel like a hassle.
Wade’s experience matches what national data has tracked for years. A 2024-2025 study found 37 percent of U.S. college students screened positive for moderate or severe depression, and 33 percent for anxiety. At KU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, staff are seeing the same pattern.
Sally Burns, outreach coordinator and embedded clinician at KU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, said students typically experience their greatest stress at the end of the semester. In her 13 years in college counseling, end-of-semester demand has always spiked, she said. CAPS expanded its drop-in availability during the last two weeks of every semester to meet rising demand, she said.
When students describe burnout, Burns said, they often talk about feeling unmotivated and pulling back from self-care. This is the same feeling that Wade described in her own life. Burns said the pressure to perform for GPA, jobs and graduation increases stress and anxiety, which in turn affects concentration and self-care.
She also mentioned seeing something new this year. Some students are using AI not just for coursework, but for emotional support, advice and guidance. Students turn to chatbots in moments they might once have brought to a friend or a counselor.
KU CAPS offers same-day drop-in support from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays at Watkins Health Building. First-time appointments are covered by the campus wellness fee. Students can also access Mantra Health, a free 24-hour mental health service available to KU students.
Months after that 11 p.m. paste into ChatGPT, Wade is still pushing through to graduation. But she said the system she’s pushing through isn’t really working.
“College’s structure fails to see the main goal,” Wade said. “I’m scared I am not going to get a job to support myself.”
Script:
[0:00]
It was almost 11 p.m. when Addey Wade, a sophomore at KU, opened ChatGPT to finish a 10-page
essay due at midnight.
[0:08]
Wade works a 40-hour-a-week job, carries 17 credit hours, and says by the time she sits down to
do schoolwork, there’s nothing left.
[0:18]
She isn’t alone. A national survey this year found 85 percent of college students used AI for
coursework.
[0:25]
At KU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, staff say they’re seeing the cost — burnout,
anxiety, and students pulling back from the people and habits that used to keep them going.
[0:34]
Outreach coordinator Sally Burns says some students are now using AI not just for
coursework, but for emotional support — turning to chatbots in moments they might once have
brought to a friend.
[0:44]
For Wade, college has started to feel like a checklist of tasks to clear. She says she’s just
trying to graduate.
[0:52]
But she’s not sure the system she’s pushing through is preparing her for what comes next.
Contact Info:
Addey Wade
813-964-9495
Sally Burns
sally.burns@ku.edu
Work Cited:
Insider Ed Survey
USC Study
Wharton Study
Mantra Health
High 5 Study
Download Article - CLICK HERE
About This Project
Chiefs Dynasty Data
Addey Wade · Olivia Cooper · Mia Ramirez
JMC 309, Spring 2026
This project explores the 2023 season of the Kansas City Chiefs, including both the regular season and postseason, to understand what factors contributed to their championship success. Using game-by-game data, we analyzed performance trends such as turnovers, passing yards, and defensive strength. The goal was to turn raw numbers into a clear, compelling story that explains how and why the team ultimately won the Super Bowl LVII.
Origin of the Data:
This dataset was manually compiled using publicly available game statistics from the Chiefs 2023 season. Every two rows represent a single game–the first being Chiefs data and the second being the opponents data–weeks 1-18 and all playoff games. Each row includes:
Game results (score,win/loss)
Location (home or away)
Game conditions (temperature, attendance, time)
Performance metrics (turnovers, passing yards, rushing yards)
How the Data Was Collected:
We referenced official game summaries and box scores from reliable sports sources such as:
All stats were entered manually into a spreadsheet to ensure consistency across all variables.
Why This Matters:
We wanted reliable and consistent data to make our project as accurate as possible. Because we built the dataset ourselves, we had full control over:
What variables to include
How data was formatted
Ensuring accuracy across all games
Spreadsheet Structure:
We organized our data into a spreadsheet using Excel, this is how we did it:
Columns Included:
Week
Team
Score
Home/Away
Location
Data
Win or Loss
Attendance
Temperature
Game Time
Total Rushing Yards
Total Passing Yards
Turnovers
How It Was Structured:
Each game is set up twice; top is Chiefs data from game and under is opponents data from game (analysis focused on Chiefs rows only)
Consistent formatting has made analysis easier
Replication Steps:
Open an Excel spreadsheet
Create the column headers listed above
Input each games data (Chiefs and opponents) row by row
Double check for consistency and no missing or mismatched values
Data Transformation:
Before analysis we did:
Colored each week so it was easy to identify them
Labeled the playoff games so they stood out
Why This is Important:
Identify trends
Prepare data for final submission
Data Analysis:
We explored relationships between performance outcomes and game outcomes.
Key Questions We Asked:
Do turnovers impact winning?
Does passing performance affect success?
How strong was the defense in the playoffs?
Did playing at home matter?
Methods Used:
Calculating averages
Passing yards in wins vs losses
Counting frequencies
Number of wins with low turnovers
Comparing across categories
Home vs away, regular vs postseason)
Insights:
Insight 1: Turnovers by Week
Highest turnovers (5) occurred in a loss
Multiple losses were tied to higher turnover counts
Turnover consistently hurt performance
Explanation: The “Turnovers by Week” insight created by comparing the Chiefs turnover totals to each game’s outcome throughout the season. A clear pattern showed that higher turnovers often led to worse performances. The biggest example was Week 8 against the Denver Broncos, when the Chiefs had their season-high of five turnovers in a 24-9 loss. Other losses, including games against the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and Las Vegas Raiders, also occurred during games with multiple turnovers. By comparing turnovers to wins and losses week by week, the data showed that turnovers consistently hurt the Chiefs overall performance.
Insight 2: Wins vs. Turnover Level
Record was strongest when turnovers 0 or 1
Ball security is a major factor in winning
Explanation: The “Wins vs. Turnover Level” insight was created by grouping games based on the number of turnovers committed and then comparing those totals to the Chiefs win-loss record. The data showed that the team performed best when committing zero or one turnover, winning many of those games, including playoff victories against the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins. In contrast, games with multiple turnovers were more likely to end in losses, such as the Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos with five turnovers. This comparison revealed that ball security was one of the biggest factors contributing to the Chiefs success throughout the season.
Insight 3: Passing Yards by Week
8 games with 250+ passing yards
Peak performance: 415 yards
Passing game was explosive but varied
Explanation: The “Passing Yards by Week” insight was created by tracking the Chiefs passing totals throughout the season and identifying trends in offensive production. The data showed that the team recorded over 250 passing yards in eight different games, demonstrating the strength of their passing attack. Their highest total came in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers, when they reached a season-high 415 passing yards. While the Chiefs consistently showed the ability to produce explosive passing performances, the weekly totals varied significantly from game to game, revealing that the passing offense was powerful but not always consistent.
Insight 4: Playoff Margin of Victory
3 of 4 wins by <7 points
Games were close–team performed under pressure
Explanation: The “Playoff Margin of Victory” insight came from comparing the final scores of the Chiefs postseason games and calculating the point differences in each win. The data showed that three of their four playoff victories were decided by fewer than seven points, including close wins over the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers. These narrow margins demonstrated that many playoff games were highly competitive, but the Chiefs consistently executed well in pressure situations and were able to finish close games successfully.
Insight 5: Defensive Strength
Allowed <17 points in 3 playoff games
Defense stepped up significantly in postseason
Explanation: The “Defensive Strength” insight was developed by anal.yzing how many points the Chiefs allowed during their playoff run. The data showed that in three of their four post season games, the defense held opponents to fewer than 17 points, including strong performances against the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers. Compared to some regular season performances, the defense became more effective and consistent in the playoffs, showing that defensive improvement played a major role in the team's postseason success.
The Data Story:
The story revealed that the data:
During the regular season, the Chiefs were inconsistent, especially when turning the ball over or struggling in the passing game
However, in the playoffs they adapted:
Reduced mistakes
Improved defense
Won close games under pressure
Big Picture:
This wasn't a dominant, blowout-heavy championship run. Instead, it was defined by:
Discipline
Efficiency
Clutch performance
Words and Communication:
We focused on making insights easy to understand audience by:
Avoiding jargon
Using clear comparisons
Including comparisons to league averages where helpful
Visualizations:
All visualizations were created using Flourish
Charts Created:
Column charts
Line charts
Tools and Sources:
Tools Used:
Flourish (Visualizations)
Excel spreadsheet softwares
Data Sources:
Group Contributions:
Olivia Cooper:
Insight 2 (wins vs losses by turnover level)
Introduction
Data analysis
Insights
The data story
The Chiefs 2023 season shows that championships are not always about dominance, they are about adaptation. While regular-season performance revealed weaknesses, the team improved in the areas that mattered most:
Fewer turnovers
Stronger defense
Better performance in class games
By combining careful data collection, clear analysis, and strong visual storytelling, this project demonstrates how numbers can explain success in a way that highlights both patterns and turning points.