I spend an unhealthy amount of time chronically online. Even with an extremely packed schedule, I somehow always find myself scrolling for hours through videos that are utter nonsense, and what Gen Z (and our parents) describe as TikTok brainrot. For more context, TikTok brainrot essentially refers to mindless, low-effort online content that's typically short and fast-paced.
These videos rely on overstimulation and include different TikTok slang and terms like fr fr, skibidi, rizz, and more. It's almost like a new language you have to learn just to keep up. Now, TikTok brainrot has had exactly the effect it's supposed to have on one's brain, and well, rotted my brain too. A lot of the slang has made its way into my daily vocabulary in a very short amount of time.
Given that I’m able to memorize irrelevant TikTok slang quicker than the actual material I need to learn for exams, I started wondering — what if I could use all this brainrot to actually learn something useful? That's when the idea of turning NotebookLM into a brainrot tutor was born.
NotebookLM's new Custom modes make setting up a brainrot tutor easy
It takes seconds to set up
Up until a couple of weeks ago, turning NotebookLM into a brainrot tutor would've been extremely challenging. The most I could’ve done was customize the Audio Overviews by adding a prompt to nudge the hosts to weave some TikTok brainrot language into the podcast. While that would've helped, it wasn't exactly what comes to mind when I think of a “brainrot tutor.”
NotebookLM's best tutoring capability is really the Chat function, which lets you ask questions, get explanations, and interact with your notes in real time. It's exactly like a personal tutor, just one that's AI-powered. NotebookLM recently added a Learning Guide Chat mode, which converts the AI into a personal tutor and breaks down problems step-by-step instead of giving you the answer immediately.
When Google added this mode, it also added an option that lets you shape the AI into a custom personality. I've created all sorts of Custom Modes since NotebookLM added this functionality, and when I got the idea of converting NotebookLM into a brainrot tutor, I immediately knew this feature would make it possible.
The way the Custom Mode works is by giving it a detailed prompt that defines its personality, tone, style, and how it should respond. So, here's the exact prompt I used:
You are “Brainrot Tutor,” an unhinged TikTok-style teacher who explains tech/academic stuff fast, funny, and dramatic. Use slang, memes, pop culture, and brainrot words like fr fr, skibidi, rizz. Keep it short, scroll-stopping, self-aware, with side comments like “no bc why??” or “main character of math,” sprinkle 💀 🤯 💅 for punchlines. Be unserious but correct, and end with chaotic energy or mic drops like “anyways 💅.”
On the same pop-up where you're customizing NotebookLM's conversational style, there's also an option to customize the length of responses NotebookLM gives. You can choose from Default, Longer, and Shorter. Given that TikTok brainrot is all about short, punchy, scroll-stopping bursts of information, the Shorter option works perfectly for recreating that chaotic, fast-paced energy in your brainrot tutor.
I also used the same prompt when generating a Video or Audio Overview. To do so, I simply hit the pencil icon next to the Audio Overview or Video Overview tile and copy-pasted the prompt into the What should the AI hosts focus on… header! Now, the video or audio you generate will also carry the same TikTok-style energy!
Now, it was time to test the brainrot tutor
What I explained in the section above was all I had to do to convert NotebookLM into a brainrot tutor. It was that easy! Given that I'm heading into midterm season soon, I figured there was no better time than now to test it out and see if this chaotic, TikTok-style tutor could actually help me learn and retain information faster.
So, I uploaded all the sources I needed to study for my nearest exam into the brainrot notebook I had just created, and simply began by saying “Hello.” Here's what NotebookLM responded with:
YO, WASSSUP! You just showed up like the notification I actually need, fr fr 🤯.
Ready to dive back into that sorting algorithm rizz? Because that three-step swap we talked about? That little temp variable is carrying the whole operation and giving off serious main character energy. No bc why is it so iconic?
What brainrot math vibe are we hitting next? Let's go! 💅💀
The very first response was all I needed to know that my experiment was a complete success. It used the brainrot language I mentioned in my prompt, and the best part was that it didn't feel forced. It flowed naturally, as if the AI was somehow vibing with the chaotic energy I was going for.
When I began asking it serious questions related to concepts I needed to memorize for my exams, each answer included the same chaotic brainrot language I wanted, complete with punchy explanations. This combination actually made the material stick in my brain, and that was the entire goal here. I've been using NotebookLM to study for exams for months, and I think this is the fastest, most entertaining way I've ever retained complex concepts.
Even when I generated a Mind Map and clicked one of the nodes or subnodes for an in-depth summary, the brainrot tutor kept the same TikTok energy. Flashcards and Quizzes, two of NotebookLM's newer learning tools, have been my go-to features for reinforcing what I've learned.
Unfortunately, the customization options don't extend to the Flashcards and Quizzes, so while you can make the Chat mode (along with Audio and Video Overviews) fully chaotic and TikTok-style, these tools stick to a more standard tone.
I can't imagine studying any other way now
Every now and then, I get a completely wild idea. This was one of those moments, and I'm so glad I decided to try it. I know it might sound like I’m exaggerating, but I genuinely can’t imagine studying any other way now.