How to make study notes from documents and lectures
Good study notes are short, organised around the questions you will be asked, and written so you can test yourself. This guide explains a simple method that works by hand, and how an AI tool such as Brief can do the first draft for you.
1. Start from what the exam asks
Look at the syllabus or past papers first. List the topics and the kind of questions (definitions, essays, problem cases). Your notes should answer those, not copy the whole book.
2. Summarise, don't transcribe
For each topic write the key idea in a few sentences, then the details that support it. Use headings, bullet points and tables to compare similar ideas.
3. Turn notes into questions
Flashcards and practice questions make you recall information, which helps it stick much better than re-reading. For law, brief each important case: facts, issue, decision and reasoning.
4. Let AI do the first draft
Writing notes by hand takes hours. With Brief you upload the PDF, photos of the textbook, or a lecture recording, and get a summary, explainers, flashcards and case briefs in about a minute. You can then make a practice test from the notes and see what you got wrong and why.
Always read the AI notes against your sources and fix anything missing. Treat them as a strong first draft, not the final word.
5. Review regularly
Come back to your flashcards and tests over several days rather than once the night before. Short, repeated reviews work better than one long session.
Frequently asked questions
Are AI-generated notes as good as handwritten notes?
Writing notes yourself helps you think about the material, while AI notes save time. Many students combine both: an AI draft, then their own corrections and highlights.
Can I make notes from a lecture recording?
Yes. Brief can transcribe a lecture audio file and turn it into study notes.
Ready to spend less time writing notes?
Try it with your own material