Studying with NotebookLM (and Why SceneSnap Might Be Better)
NotebookLM, originally launched by Google under the name Project Tailwind, was introduced at Google I/O 2023. Designed for students, researchers, and writers, its goal is to help users interact with their own documents using artificial intelligence. The “LM” stands for “Language Model,” as it’s built on Google’s powerful models like PaLM 2 and Gemini.
NotebookLM officially rolled out in the U.S. in 2024, offering features like summarization, question generation, and concept linking across files. It’s a promising tool for digesting complex material, though it still feels like a general-purpose assistant rather than a tailored academic tool.
If your aim is to study in a smarter, faster, and more structured way, there’s a tool that goes a step further: SceneSnap.
SceneSnap: The AI-Powered Study Tool Built for Students
While NotebookLM lets you interact with documents, SceneSnap is built specifically for learners. You can upload a lecture recording, audio, PDF, or even a Webex link — and SceneSnap turns it into:
Structured notes
Summaries broken into sections
Visual mindmaps
Auto-generated flashcards
A chat-based AI tutor (the Repeater) that answers questions based on your materials
It’s like a one-click system for creating a full study toolkit. Ideal for university students and anyone studying for exams with limited time.
How to Use NotebookLM for Studying
If you’re already using NotebookLM, here are a few tips to make it more effective:
Upload your lecture slides or notes (PDFs work great)
Ask focused questions like “What are the main concepts in this chapter?”
Copy and paste key insights into your personal notes (e.g. Notion)
Build your own flashcards manually based on the output
It’s a decent workflow, but it still requires effort and organization on your part.
SceneSnap vs. NotebookLM: What’s the Difference?
Feature | NotebookLM | SceneSnap |
Designed for studying | ❌ General purpose | ✅ Built for students |
Auto-generated notes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Flashcards | ❌ Manual creation only | ✅ Automatic |
Mindmaps | ❌ Not available | ✅ Yes |
AI Q&A | ✅ Yes, general | ✅ Yes, trained on your content |
Final Thoughts
NotebookLM is an exciting experiment in AI and productivity, especially if you’re managing a variety of documents and want some quick insights. But if you’re preparing for exams, reviewing lectures, or studying technical subjects, SceneSnap gives you everything you need — without the manual work.
Study less. Learn more. Let AI do the heavy lifting.