Drowning in study materials?
I was too, until I discovered NotebookLM during my work experience at Intelligence Assist. I’m Christine, and I tested Google’s AI study assistant that promises to transform chaotic study notes into organised learning. I know the struggle of managing information – staring at piles of notes, countless PDFs, and dozens of open tabs while a deadline looms closer. The biggest hassle for me was discovering NotebookLM’s free version is only for users 18+, meaning I had to use the Pro version to try it out.
What is Notebook LM?
NotebookLM is Google’s solution to this information overload. It’s an AI research assistant designed to help organise information, summarise documents, and act like a personal tutor that guides you through all your study materials.
Key Features
NotebookLM processes documents quite efficiently – it can handle a large document in just a few minutes. The audio generation features do take longer than text-based responses though.
You can upload almost any type of file, with each notebook holding up to 50 sources in the free version, and up to 300 sources with Plus.
The tool functions as your own tutor, allowing you to:
- Create study guides with glossaries and practice questions
- Generate practice papers in HSC-format with allocated marks
- Make timelines highlighting key figures and events
- Have podcast-style conversations where you can ask questions
- Confirm information accuracy with source citations
- Organise your sources into mindmap-style categories
Unlike some AI tools, NotebookLM only uses information from sources you provide – nothing is made up or gathered from elsewhere, making it reliable for schoolwork.
Free VS Plus Version
Here’s how the two versions compare:
Feature | Free | Plus ($32.99/month) |
Notebooks | Up to 100 | Up to 500 |
Sources per notebook | 50 | 50 |
Words per source | Up to 500,000 | Unlimited |
Daily chat queries | Up to 50 | Up to 500 |
Daily audio generations | Up to 3 | Up to 20 |
The Plus version also offers personalised response styles, advanced sharing options, and usage analytics.
Limitations
Some drawbacks include:
- No direct image uploads (must be in documents)
- Can’t create visual mind maps or timelines
- Limited formatting options for responses
- Audio features are English-only and sometimes slow
- Requires 18+ age with a Google account for the free version
- No recovery for deleted content
Is it worth the price?
Let’s be honest – $32.99 per month for NotebookLM Plus is seriously expensive, especially for students. Who actually needs to ask 500 AI questions every day? The free version’s 50 daily queries are more than enough for most schoolwork.
While NotebookLM itself is an incredible tool, the Plus version simply doesn’t justify its steep price tag. The extra features are nice-to-haves, not must-haves, and they don’t solve any of the core limitations mentioned above.
The free version is more than enough for most uses – you’d only need the Plus version if you’re doing loads of research daily or plan to use the audio overviews constantly. For regular students, the free version would deliver everything you need without the hefty price tag.
Final Thoughts
NotebookLM is an absolute game-changer for tackling information overload. It transforms mountains of readings into organized, digestible study materials in minutes. The AI assistant truly shines at summarizing complex information, creating practice questions, and helping you understand difficult concepts. It’s interactive podcast feature is extremely helpful too.
I’ve really enjoyed testing NotebookLM Plus during my work experience – it’s been eye-opening to see how AI can transform study experiences. While the Plus version is too expensive, the free version would be perfect for students. I sincerely hope Google will make this brilliant tool available to students of all ages soon. Tools like these are changing how we learn, making education more accessible and engaging for everyone.
