How a Learner Built a Simple GenAI Study System (That You Can Copy in 15 Minutes)
What if you could turn free AI tools into your personal tutor — no subscriptions, no complicated tech, no fluff?
That’s exactly what one adult learner in Korea did. They put together a smart little system using Perplexity AI, Microsoft Word (or Google Sheet), and NotebookLM, and it’s helping them learn faster, deeper, and with more confidence.
In this post, I’ll show you how their setup works — step-by-step — so you can try it too.
🧠 Step 1: Use Perplexity AI for Reliable Research
This learner starts with Perplexity.ai, a research-focused AI tool that gives you answers backed by real sources.
Instead of asking something broad like “What is marketing?”, they’ll ask:
“Explain the 4 Ps of Marketing with examples. Include citations.”
The cool part? Perplexity doesn’t just answer — it pulls in links from trusted sites like Harvard Business Review or Investopedia. No guessing whether the info is legit.
✅ Why it’s great:
You’re not just Googling. You’re building a research base you can trust.
📄 Step 2: Paste into Word (or Google Docs) to Keep the Links
Once Perplexity gives its answer, they copy and paste the whole thing into Word.
Here’s the smart part: Word automatically turns the citations into clickable links. Boom — you’ve got your own mini research guide, fully linked.
📌 Pro Tip:
Use headings and bullet points to break things up by topic. Makes it easier to review later.
🤖 Step 3: Drop It Into NotebookLM and Ask It Questions
Now comes the magic.
They upload the Word doc into NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered notebook. It reads the content and lets you talk to it like a tutor.
You can:
- Ask it to summarize tricky parts
- Test your understanding
- Get quick definitions or examples
- Even ask it to quiz you
🎯 Why it works:
You’re not just reading. You’re engaging with your notes — which makes the learning stick.
🛠️ Tools Used in This Setup
| Tool | What It’s For | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Perplexity AI | Research with citations and real sources | Perplexity.ai |
| Microsoft Word | Organize and keep track of your references | Office.com |
| NotebookLM | Turn your notes into an interactive tutor | NotebookLM |
🧩 Why This Workflow Works for Adult Learners
This is one of the cleanest study systems I’ve seen. It checks every box:
| ✅ Feature | 💡 Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 100% Free Tools | No signups, no paywalls |
| Trustworthy Info | You know where the facts are coming from |
| Active Recall | You’re not just reading — you’re doing |
| Time-Efficient | You can set it up in under 15 minutes |
It’s simple. It’s repeatable. And it works.
🔁 Try It Yourself
Here’s the full workflow in one shot:
- Use Perplexity to research something you’re studying
- Paste the results into Word so you keep the sources
- Upload that doc into NotebookLM and start asking questions
If you’re tired of skimming endless articles or feeling scattered when you study — try this.
And if you’ve got your own GenAI workflow that’s working, let me know. I’d love to feature more real-world strategies like this.
Want more hands-on AI learning ideas like this? Subscribe or drop your thoughts below — always looking for sharp minds and better methods.
