How to Use ChatGPT & Gemini for AI Note Taking

AI note-taking with ChatGPT and Gemini helps me turn raw lectures, PDFs, and slides into clean, searchable study notes fast. I get structured headings, key terms, and recall checks I can reuse across classes. Bookmark this guide and share it with classmates. Use it as the starter playbook for every prompt in the library. Research indicates generative AI can cut task time by ~40% while improving quality, which translates into faster, clearer notes for students Science, 2023. Browse the full prompt library

Evidence-backed study habits matter. Spacing and retrieval practice remain two of the most reliable learning strategies for long-term retention Nature Reviews Psychology, 2022. Note-taking during instructional videos can also improve learning outcomes Hefter et al., 2024.

A) Setup, Inputs, and Output Format (1–20)

1. I’m a [grade level] student; expertly organize and format my notes with H2 headings and bullet takeaways & action items now.
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2. I pasted captions; remove filler, fix casing, and keep timestamps every 90 seconds.
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3. I study biology; extract glossary terms with short definitions and one example each.
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4. I need Cornell Notes; generate cue questions, notes, and a three-sentence summary.
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5. I’m a high-schooler; align notes to syllabus objectives and standards I pasted.
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6. I prefer concise notes; cap bullets at 12 words and avoid redundancy.
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7. I’m visual; convert processes into numbered steps with simple ASCII diagrams when helpful.
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8. I pasted messy notes; normalize headings, merge duplicates, and flag unclear fragments.
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9. I need study priorities; label bullets as must-know, good-to-know, or enrichment.
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10. I’m short on time; produce a 150-word executive summary with 5 key terms.
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11. I study math; capture formulas in LaTeX and provide variable meanings quickly.
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12. I need definitions; convert jargon into plain-language paraphrases with original terms preserved.
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13. I’m prepping exams; add quick checks after each section with one correct answer.
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14. I prefer tags; assign topic tags and difficulty levels to each bullet list.
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15. I need sources; extract cited studies, years, and links present in the material.
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16. I want accessibility; produce alt-text style captions for any embedded figures.
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17. I need comparisons; build a two-column table of concepts, contrasts, and examples.
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18. I’m overwhelmed; identify 20% of content that drives 80% understanding for exams.
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19. I need consistency; apply the same template across all sections and weeks.
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20. I’m exporting; output Markdown with H2s, H3s, and a final key-terms block.
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B) Audio & Video to Notes (21–40)

For lectures, Zoom, or YouTube, I extract reliable outlines, timestamps, and action items. When possible I attach captions; otherwise I paste summary notes and let AI fill gaps conservatively.

21. I pasted Zoom captions; summarize each segment with a timestamped heading and tasks.
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22. I watched a video; extract three examples and one misconception per major concept.
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23. I need a TOC; build a time-coded table of contents with clickable timestamps.
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24. I missed parts; flag likely gaps and suggest questions to ask my instructor.
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25. I need recap slides; turn this lecture into 6 concise recap slides with speaker notes.
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26. I want clarity; rewrite technical terms in plain English without losing precision.
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27. I need context; list prerequisites and refresher links for each confusing section.
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28. I prefer dialogue; convert lecture explanations into student–tutor Q&A pairs.
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29. I track actions; extract assignments, due dates, and deliverables with owners and status.
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30. I study STEM; translate spoken equations into formatted expressions with units defined.
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31. I need transitions; connect segments with one-sentence bridges to improve coherence.
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32. I seek themes; cluster topics into 3–5 themes and label with memorable names.
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33. I need examples; convert definitions into real-world applications with short scenarios.
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34. I want fairness; separate facts, opinions, and assumptions across the lecture content.
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35. I’m revising; output only differences between today’s lecture and last week’s notes.
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36. I need keywords; generate search terms to find better examples and explanations later.
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37. I track uncertainty; list unclear points and propose two follow-up resources each.
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38. I want inclusivity; expand acronyms on first use and define community jargon.
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39. I manage length; provide a 60-second recap and a 6-minute deep summary.
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40. I export; produce a neatly indented Markdown outline ready for Google Docs paste.
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C) PDFs & Slides to Notes (41–60)

Dense readings and decks become skimmable when I enforce headings, extract glossaries, and summarize figures. I keep citations intact and note page numbers for quick review.

41. I pasted a PDF; create a chapter outline with page anchors and subheads.
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42. I need figures; summarize each figure with purpose, variables, and takeaway in one line.
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43. I want citations; extract authors, year, title, and DOI for each referenced source.
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44. I need evidence; convert claims into claim-evidence-reasoning bullets per section.
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45. I’m scanning; flag definitional sentences and bold the term being defined.
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46. I need slide notes; convert slide titles into one-sentence thesis statements each.
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47. I plan review; produce end-of-chapter questions with short answers and page references.
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48. I compare sources; output a matrix comparing methods, assumptions, and limitations.
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49. I need definitions; extract 25 key terms with friendly examples and non-examples.
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50. I want coherence; rewrite slide bullets into parallel grammar and consistent verbs.
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51. I verify; list assumptions the author makes and any missing counter-evidence.
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52. I annotate; add margin-style prompts for reflection beside each major idea.
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53. I need accessibility; produce slide speaker notes in complete, readable sentences.
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54. I compress; distill chapters into 10 bullet insights and three must-remember formulas.
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55. I seek relevance; highlight content likely to appear on exams with one-line rationales.
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56. I need datasets; list tables and figures that support key claims with page numbers.
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57. I want memory; convert bullets into cloze deletions for future flashcards.
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58. I need vocabulary; provide morphology clues and etymology for complex scientific terms.
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59. I track citations; build a reference list in APA or MLA from extracted metadata.
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60. I export; output a CSV with term, definition, example, page, and tag columns.
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D) Organize, Compress, and Tag Notes (61–80)

I keep one consistent structure across classes, compress to essentials, and tag for quick retrieval. This reduces cram stress and makes spaced review trivial.

61. I need a template; enforce H2 Topic, H3 Concept, bullets, and end-summary blocks.
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62. I compress; produce a six-sentence recap titled “60-Minute Lecture in 6.”
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63. I retag; assign tags for chapter, topic, and exam objective for each section.
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64. I sort; split notes into must-study this week versus defer to review week.
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65. I detect fluff; remove redundancy and keep one canonical phrasing per idea.
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66. I want mnemonics; propose memory hooks for lists and processes I highlighted.
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67. I map ideas; output a text-based mind map with branches and cross-links.
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68. I chunk; rewrite long paragraphs into atomic bullets limited to one concept.
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69. I mark difficulty; tag sections as easy, medium, or hard with brief rationales.
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70. I cross-classify; link related ideas across weeks and note dependency order.
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71. I study collaboratively; output shareable checkpoints and questions for group review.
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72. I track progress; add checkboxes after each concept to mark mastered or revisit.
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73. I want coherence; harmonize terminology and symbols across the entire notebook.
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74. I mark assumptions; list implicit premises and where they might fail in practice.
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75. I need errors; collect common mistakes and corrections for each formula or rule.
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76. I match outcomes; map lecture concepts to exam objectives and textbook sections.
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77. I build indices; generate an alphabetical index with page or timestamp references.
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78. I need cross-links; add “See also” suggestions after each key term for review.
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79. I timebox; create a one-hour review plan prioritizing hardest, most testable concepts.
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80. I finalize; generate a printable one-page summary with QR links to sources.
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E) Retrieval, Study Guides, and Quizzes (81–100)

I convert notes into active recall, spaced reviews, and quick quizzes to match how memory works best over time.

81. I need retrieval; generate five short-answer questions per section with model answers.
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82. I want spacing; schedule 1-3-7-14-30-day reviews with bullet goals and tasks.
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83. I need MCQs; produce three MCQs per topic with plausible distractors and keys.
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84. I use flashcards; create cloze deletions for each definition in CSV columns.
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85. I want mistakes; generate false-friend pairs and near-miss errors with corrections.
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86. I’m last-minute; produce a night-before checklist of must-remember points and risks.
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87. I need mapping; output a concept map legend and 10 relations to memorize.
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88. I study with friends; generate a group quiz with roles and timing suggestions.
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89. I need analogies; create cross-domain analogies and sanity checks for each concept.
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90. I track mastery; add a one-line reflection question after each quiz item.
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91. I reduce load; propose two simpler practice items for every difficult question.
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92. I need formulas; create plug-and-chug practice with units and common pitfalls.
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93. I want transfer; write one novel scenario applying each concept to a new context.
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94. I need feedback; include brief rationales for right and wrong answers in quizzes.
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95. I schedule; generate a two-week sprint plan with daily focus blocks and tasks.
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96. I check gaps; compare my notes to objectives and propose catch-up micro-tasks.
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97. I need diagrams; turn text processes into labeled step-by-step visuals I can sketch.
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98. I export test; output a printable quiz with answer key on a separate page.
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99. I reflect; create three metacognitive prompts to evaluate my understanding after practice.
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100. I finalize; produce a one-page review sheet with key terms and quick checks.
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