Good fit when
You have notes or slides but are unsure how to turn them into an effective next session.
Before you choose
A clean summary can still omit an important condition or example. Review the guide against the original before studying from it.
Give the guide a clear boundary
Write the course, lecture date, and material covered at the top. Include the relevant learning objectives from your class if you have them. Keep assigned readings separate from optional background so the guide does not blur their importance.
For an exam, compare that scope with the instructor’s review guidance. A missing lecture in your folder should remain a visible gap. Do not silently treat an AI-generated explanation as a substitute for material you never supplied.
Organize ideas around what you must do
Use a simple three-column plan:
| Idea from class | Task that checks it | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| A definition | Explain it without repeating the source sentence | Your checked notes |
| A relationship | Predict what changes when one condition changes | The original example |
| A procedure | Complete a new problem and justify the steps | The worked solution |
| An argument | State the claim, evidence, and strongest limitation | The assigned reading |
The guide should help you attempt these tasks before looking at the answers. If the answer is directly beside the prompt, cover it or put the prompts on a separate page.
Add one example and one near miss
For each difficult idea, include an example that fits and a similar example that does not. Write why the distinction matters. This is especially helpful when you can recognize a definition but confuse neighboring concepts.
Use the class source to check that distinction. If you cannot explain why the near miss fails, mark the item for a follow-up question or office hours instead of smoothing it into a confident summary.
Build and study your guide in Dolphin
Open Dolphin College, attach the relevant notes or slides, and tell Pip the scope of your guide. Ask for key concepts, examples, and practice prompts. Then turn a difficult section into a lesson, try a quiz, or create flashcards for recall.
Return to the saved study conversation or Library for your next session. Add later lecture material when you need it. Keep your original notes available for checking so the guide matches what your instructor expects you to know.
Finish with a closed-notes check
Pick three prompts from the guide and answer them without looking. Separate the results into “can explain,” “recognize but cannot explain,” and “need to learn.” Use the second and third groups to choose your next study session.
Repeat with a changed example later. You are testing whether you can use the idea, rather than whether you remember the exact wording of the guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a study guide be?
Long enough to cover the required ideas and useful examples, short enough that each section has a clear job. More pages do not automatically mean better preparation.
Should I include every slide?
Keep every original slide as a source, but organize the guide around the work you need to perform. Mark supporting detail and unresolved gaps clearly.
Sources & review
Product information checked against the sources below on November 6, 2026. Prices, access limits, and plan contents can change. Follow each provider’s current offer before buying.
- Dolphin College workspaceDolphin
- Dolphin study guide generatorDolphin