# NotebookLM prompt: study plan for the time you have

Source: https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/study-plan-by-time-budget-prompt  
Section: Prompts  
Last verified: November 2026  
Plan: Free

Use it when the exam date is fixed and the material is larger than the time left. Paste the prompt below into the NotebookLM (Gemini Notebook) chat and replace the parts in square brackets. It tells NotebookLM to answer only from your sources, cite them and flag what they do not cover.

## Quick facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Works in | NotebookLM / Gemini Notebook chat, and the customise box of Studio items |
| Sources needed | The syllabus or list of topics, plus the course material. |
| Cost | Free to copy. Saving it in the extension is free for up to 10 plain prompts. |

## The prompt

```text
I have [HOURS] hours over [DAYS] days to prepare for [EXAM].
Using the syllabus and the sources, build a plan as a table: Day | Topics | What to do | Self-test.
Put topics that others depend on first. Reserve the last 20 percent of the time for mixed practice.
List topics the sources cover thinly so I can find other material.

Use only the sources in this notebook. Cite the source for every claim. If the sources do not cover something, say "not covered in the sources" instead of filling the gap.
```

## How to use it

1. Open the notebook and tick only the sources this question is about.
2. Paste the prompt into the chat and replace every part in [SQUARE BRACKETS].
3. Open two or three citations in the answer to confirm they say what the answer claims.
4. Save the answer as a note, then keep it: [Export the plan to Excel](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/data-tables-to-excel).

## Adapt it

- State which topics you already know to shorten them.
- Ask for a version in 25-minute blocks.

> NotebookLM can misread or over-generalise a source. A prompt reduces that; it does not remove it. Check cited passages before you rely on an answer.

## Frequently asked questions

### What should be in the notebook before I use the study plan for the time you have prompt?

The syllabus or list of topics, plus the course material.

### How do I save this prompt in NotebookLM?

NotebookLM has no prompt library of its own. With NotebookLM Ultra Exporter you can save it to My prompts and insert it in the chat box by typing /. Free saves 10 plain prompts; variable templates, folders and backup need Pro.

### Why does the prompt ask NotebookLM to say what is not covered?

Because a grounded tool is most useful when it shows the edges of your sources. An explicit instruction to flag gaps reduces confident answers that the sources do not support.

## Related guides

- [Export NotebookLM data tables to Excel](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/export/data-tables-to-excel)
- [NotebookLM prompt: teach-back check](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/teach-back-check-prompt)
- [NotebookLM prompt: study guide from your sources](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/study-guide-from-sources-prompt)
- [NotebookLM prompt: exam practice questions](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/exam-practice-questions-prompt)
- [NotebookLM prompt: explain a difficult concept](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/concept-explainer-prompt)
- [NotebookLM prompt: better flashcards](https://nlmexporter.com/guides/prompts/flashcard-generation-prompt)