Studying with NotebookLM: How to Make Better Notes

Many students make notes by copying sentences from a textbook or slide deck. The notebook looks full, but the learning can still feel weak because the student has not organised the ideas, tested memory, or turned information into something they can explain.

NotebookLM, sometimes typed as “Notebook LLM”, is Google’s AI notebook tool. Google describes it as a research assistant that works with the sources a user chooses, such as notes and documents, to summarise information, explain ideas and help make connections.^[1] Used carefully, it can help students turn messy notes into a clearer study system.

NotebookLM should not replace thinking. It works best when students use it to organise notes, ask better questions and check their understanding.

What NotebookLM can help with

According to Google’s NotebookLM Help, the tool can generate outputs based on a student’s sources, including notes, audio overviews, video overviews, mind maps, reports, study guides, flashcards, quizzes, slide decks and infographics.^[2] It can also summarise sources and answer questions about the information inside a notebook.^[3]

For students, the important part is not the number of features. The important part is building a repeatable note-making routine that leads to better recall and exam confidence.

1

Collect

Add trusted class notes and allowed sources.

2

Organise

Group ideas into topics, terms and examples.

3

Question

Ask for quiz questions and weak-spot checks.

4

Review

Practise from memory, then check sources.

Step 1: Start with good sources

NotebookLM is only as useful as the material students put into it. Before making notes, students should gather clean, allowed sources: class notes, teacher handouts, their own summaries, revision sheets, textbook extracts they are allowed to use, or links their school has provided.

Google Help says each source can contain up to 500,000 words or up to 200 MB, and a notebook can include up to 50 sources.^[3] That is more than most students need. For school study, smaller notebooks are usually better because they are easier to review.

Step 2: Build three layers of notes

A strong NotebookLM study notebook should not be one long summary. Students learn better when notes are layered from simple to active.

This matters because passive notes can feel neat without being memorable. Research reviews on learning techniques have found stronger support for active methods such as practice testing and distributed practice than for simply rereading notes.^[5] NotebookLM can help create study material, but the student still needs to answer, explain and review.

Step 3: Ask better prompts

Students should avoid vague prompts like “summarise everything”. Better prompts tell NotebookLM the year level, the goal and the output format.

Step 4: Use AI notes for active recall

The best way to use NotebookLM is not to read its output once and stop. Students should cover the answer, try from memory, then check against the source and explanation.

Read

Study the summary or mind map.

Hide

Close the answer or cover the notes.

Recall

Write what you remember.

Check

Correct gaps using the source.

A NotebookLM note template for maths

For maths, students should make notes that connect the concept to the question type. This is useful for NAPLAN maths practice, school tests and Selective Entry preparation.

After making this note, students can go to free sample quizzes, answer a few questions, and return to the notebook to repair anything unclear.

How parents can support NotebookLM study

Parents do not need to become AI experts. The main job is to help children use the tool responsibly and actively.

What students should not do

• ! Do not paste private information, passwords, student IDs or personal family details.
• ! Do not submit AI-generated notes as your own assignment if your teacher has not allowed it.
• ! Do not trust every answer automatically. Google itself advises fact-checking AI responses against the original source material.^[1]
• ! Do not stop at summaries. Convert summaries into questions and practise answering them.

A simple weekly routine

Final message

NotebookLM can make note-taking more organised, but the student still has to do the learning. The best notes are not the longest notes. They are notes that help a student explain the idea, remember the steps, avoid common mistakes and answer questions without looking.

Used this way, NotebookLM can support stronger study habits for school tests, maths revision, NAPLAN preparation and selective entry exam preparation.

---