As a uni student, there’s a lot to juggle – from lectures and weekly readings to assignments and practical placements (for some of us) - study life is a balancing act that requires focus and adaptability. Add in part-time work, family commitments, and a social life, it will quickly become clear that you’re in one of the busiest seasons of your life. Sometimes it may feel like a lot – but what if there were tools that could actually help you stay on top of your uni work, freeing up some time for the things you love in life?
Enter the world of note-taking AI—where smart tech helps you study smarter, not harder.
Whether you’re prepping for exams, trying to make sense of readings, or breaking down assignment instructions, AI note-taking tools can save you time and lighten your load.
Why use AI for note-taking?
Using AI for note-taking isn’t just about saving time—it’s about transforming how you learn. AI note-taking tools help by automating some of the most time-consuming study tasks, like summarising long readings, organising lecture notes, and extracting key information from videos or recordings. Instead of spending hours typing or scribbling everything down, you can focus on learning and engaging with your study material.
Let’s unpack the top three advantages of note-taking AI and your studies.
- AI tools can personalise your study experience. Whether you’re a visual learner who likes mind maps or someone who prefers neatly organised dot points, there are many tools that adapt to your preferred layout. These note-taking AI tools can break down information into manageable summaries, create flashcards for revision, and even generate quizzes to test your knowledge.
- AI tools are accessible and convenient. Did you miss a lecture? AI can transcribe and summarise recordings so you can catch up quickly. Struggling to pull key themes from a dense academic reading? AI can highlight the key takeaways.
- AI note-taking helps reduce stress, improves retention, and frees up more time for what really matters. It supports deeper learning by allowing you the space to focus on understanding your degree content and applying it in exams and assignments. By using these tools in your study, you're not replacing learning; you're enhancing it with technology designed to support how students learn today.
When using AI tools, it’s important to remember to use them ethically and responsibly. If you are unsure about what’s considered appropriate in your coursework, reach out to your university’s student support team or your course coordinator. Discover more about artificial intelligence and assessment at UniSQ.
It can be hard to know where to start when looking at AI tools for note-taking – there are so many options – but don’t worry, we’ve done some homework for you. Two standout tools that can support you with all your note-taking needs are Copilot (Microsoft 365) and NotebookLM (by Google). Let’s take a deep dive into these note-taking AI tools.
AI note-taking for lectures and readings: Your new study buddy
During lectures, you can’t absorb every detail and write (or type) the content at the same time. Then, add in any post-lecture reading you need to complete.... it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
How AI can help
Copilot (Microsoft 365): This clever AI note-taking app can listen in during online classes and transcribe everything in real-time. It can also highlight key points and summarise large chunks of info into bite-sized notes. Great for when you’re revising for exams and want to focus on the essentials.
Notebook LM (by Google): Think of this like your AI-powered tutor. It analyses lecture transcripts and reading materials, then creates summaries, highlights important concepts, and generates flashcards.
Weekly reading notes: Because you’ve got a lot to read
Weekly readings are part of most university courses, and if you don’t keep up, it’s easy to fall behind and become overwhelmed.
How AI can help
Copilot: Paste in a chapter or journal article, and Copilot will extract the key ideas, summarise the themes, and even suggest discussion questions you can use in class.
Notebook LM: This note-taking AI tool links ideas across multiple readings, so you can easily track recurring themes. Perfect for essays that require deep analysis or when you're prepping for tutorials.
Assignment notetaking: From task sheet to assignment plans
Assignments often come with a long list of criteria that must be met, and missing one or two can cost you marks. You need a clear assignment plan from the get-go.
How AI can help
Copilot: Upload your assignment task sheet into Microsoft Word or Teams, and let Copilot create a notetaking template. It’ll break the task into sections, suggest resources, and keep you on track. Think of it as a digital project manager.
Notebook LM: Great for organising your research and making sure your notes align with the assignment criteria. This AI note-taking app can even check your notes against the task sheet to make sure you're not missing anything important.
More AI note-taking tools to explore
Do you want to learn more about how AI and note-taking can make your university life less stressful? Here are a few more AI note-taking apps and tools that you might want to take a look at:
- Otter – Great for recording and transcribing in-person or online lectures. It highlights keywords, separates speakers, and makes everything searchable.
- Notion AI – A flexible workspace that summarises lecture notes, create assignment outlines, and keeps all your study material in one spot.
- Tactiq – A Chrome extension that adds live transcription and highlights to Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. Perfect for online classes and group work.
- Evernote - Unlike traditional note apps, Evernote AI can understand natural language queries and provide you with direct answers from your notes – even if the information is buried in PDFs, images or attachments.
Please note: These third-party tools are not officially supported or endorsed by the University of Southern Queensland, so we recommend doing your own research and using them at your own discretion, with consideration of academic integrity.
Strategic study starts with smart tools
Using AI note-taking tools doesn’t mean you're being lazy—it means you're being strategic. With smart tools like Copilot, Notebook LM, and Microsoft Word/Teams, you can stay organised, save time, and boost your learning outcomes. At UniSQ our students have access to AI note-taking apps within the Microsoft 365 products, including Copilot features in Word and Teams. So you’re already one step ahead—why not make the most of it?
