After the end of the revolution, Notosusanto was given a choice between resuming his studies or going to Breda in the Netherlands for further military training.
Influenced by his father's disapproval of the military, he finished his senior high school education, despite wanting to continue with the army.
After graduating senior high school in 1951, he immediately enrolled with the faculty of literature at the University of Indonesia (Universitas Indonesia, or UI).
However, he continued to resent the older generation and political leadership.

During the 1950s Notosusanto wrote extensively, focusing on essays but also writing poems and, later, short stories; the last of his creative works were written around 1956.
He published four short story anthologies between 1958 and 1963.
The first, Hudjan Kepagian (Morning Rain), consisted of six short stories.
It dealt with the struggle against the Dutch colonists during the revolution.
His second anthology, Tiga Kota (Three Cities), was published the following year and followed events in three cities: Rembang, Yogyakarta, and Jakarta.
The others, and his numerous stories which were published outside of anthologies, mostly dealt with the war and the positive effects of revolution.

Aside from his writing, Notosusanto was active in student and political organisations, the student press, and academic conferences.
With other students he picketed the British and French embassies in Jakarta, supporting independence for Egypt and Algiers.
He also travelled extensively, visiting Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, and the US on academic sorties.
He completed his bachelour's degree in history from UI in 1958, becoming a lecturer at UI after graduation.
On 12 December 1960 he married Irma Sawitri Ramelan (better known as Lilik).
Together they had three children: Indrya Smita, Inggita Sukma, and Narottama.
After the end of the revolution, Notosusanto was given a choice between resuming his studies or going to Breda in the Netherlands for further military training. Influenced by his father's disapproval of the military, he finished his senior high school education, despite wanting to continue with the army. After graduating senior high school in 1951, he immediately enrolled with the faculty of literature at the University of Indonesia (Universitas Indonesia, or UI). However, he continued to resent the older generation and political leadership.
During the 1950s Notosusanto wrote extensively, focusing on essays but also writing poems and, later, short stories; the last of his creative works were written around 1956. He published four short story anthologies between 1958 and 1963. The first, Hudjan Kepagian (Morning Rain), consisted of six short stories. It dealt with the struggle against the Dutch colonists during the revolution. His second anthology, Tiga Kota (Three Cities), was published the following year and followed events in three cities: Rembang, Yogyakarta, and Jakarta. The others, and his numerous stories which were published outside of anthologies, mostly dealt with the war and the positive effects of revolution.
Aside from his writing, Notosusanto was active in student and political organisations, the student press, and academic conferences. With other students he picketed the British and French embassies in Jakarta, supporting independence for Egypt and Algiers. He also travelled extensively, visiting Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, and the US on academic sorties. He completed his bachelour's degree in history from UI in 1958, becoming a lecturer at UI after graduation. On 12 December 1960 he married Irma Sawitri Ramelan (better known as Lilik). Together they had three children: Indrya Smita, Inggita Sukma, and Narottama.
Nugroho Notosusanto