I may be a tad late, but typst does have a compiler you can use locally with your favorite local text editor.
The UX has been simply amazing, there is a VSCode extension that allows you to have the raw text content open in one tab on the left and the pdf on the right, with it updating everytime you save.
I also think it has translated to better grades, given some of the marks come from structure and presentation! For example, in my last essay I was using Binary Search Trees, wouldn't you know, there's a package that allows you to draw them easily!
Seriously, I can't sing it's praises enough. I'm sure if I was doing some more complex writing Latex may be the more appropriate choice but Typst's plug-n-play approach has been so smooth