Definition of Mind Mapping

Mind mapping involves the use of a Mind Map to represent ideas and concepts in a visual form where the central theme or topic is located at the centre of the mind map and subtopics are arranged around a central keyword or idea.

Mind Maps are considered the most effective note taking technique. They provide the most effective way of organizing and arranging information. There are now a number of different Mind Mapping software tools available to facilitate the creation of Mind Maps.

Why create Mind Maps

Mind Maps provide a quick and easy method of organizing and highlighting the information that matters. This is particularly useful when you are studying for an exam as normal notes can be time consuming and even a barrier to revision. They are also useful for improving creativity, generating new ideas and decision making.

When reviewing information for an exam being able to review your notes quickly is important. Reviewing the most important, relevant information is even more important and Mind Maps enable you to do this as the most important key topics are located nearer the centre. Mind Maps also make use of images which the mind finds easier to remember and these can be used to summarize important information. Also the mind is better able to recall the information when associations or connections are made between related information. Mind Maps make this much easier then normal linear note taking.

How to revise for exams using Mind Maps

When revising for an exam it is best to determine what level of knowledge you have of that subject before you start. When you build upon that knowledge it will be easier to develop associations and connection from the knowledge you have already gained. Therefore create a Mind Map of what you already know. You may be surprised at how much you can recall.

Obtain a large sheet of paper or if you are using Mind Mapping Software create a central image or theme at the centre of the page. This will represent the main topic. Then write down the main subtopics related to that central topic by creating branches moving out from the central keyword. Add sub- branches to these subtopics containing keywords or short phrases summarizing key ideas that you can recall from memory and try to see how the different sub-topics and elements are associated.

With linear note taking you write in sentences which are monotonous and boring. Also the key information does not stand out and revising for exams using normal linear notes can actually be more of a hindrance then a help. With Mind Maps the key information is nearer the centre and summed up in a few keywords. If you can sum up key information with one keyword or an image this is even better. Dont forget to use plenty of colour and images to make key topics stand out with larger writing and images nearer the centre. This can help you to visually organize the main topics from the sub-topics and make the most important information stand out.

After you have recalled as much information as possible obtain the books that are most important for revision purposes. Flick through these books viewing the main chapter headings. Also take a look at the contents pages. Now speed read these books focusing in on the most important information and try and build upon what you already know. There is a common myth that speed reading significantly reduces comprehension and retention of information. Speed reading can actually increase retention of information as it enables you to gain a broader perspective of a subject or topic important for memory and can also help your mind piece together the information particularly when you come to read the information in more depth.

Give priority to those books that provide the most usefully and comprehensive information for study and exam revision and study them in greater depth.

Add more branches to your Mind Map and continue to add the key information after reading each section of the book. These keywords, images and phrases should sum up the main topics and subtopics.

Attempting to recall and write down what you have just read will greatly assist in reinforcing that information and will assist recall later by helping to absorb the information into your long term memory. It will also enable you to adjust your methods if you are finding it difficult to recall what you have just read.

Keep adding to your Mind Map after gaining knowledge that you consider important for the exam, whether it be from books, lectures or elsewhere. Your Mind Map should become larger and more branches should be created moving even further from the central theme. A detailed Mind Map summing up each area of knowledge in a word or key phrase will contain a lot of useful information. If your using Mind Mapping Software you should add notes providing more in depth information if needed.

As you approach the exam you should be able to recall in detail the knowledge gained by glancing at your detailed Mind Map which should now contain a detailed summary of your entire subject or topic.

The images will greatly assist in recalling information at a glance and the Mind Map itself will help you to see how all the elements and sub-topics are associated and ordered. Also you will not have to read through loads of notes to get to the key information.

The mind can remember and recall knowledge much easier when it can visualise a subject from a broader perspective and can see how the different topics and subtopics are ordered and associated. . Combine this with the power of images which speak a thousand words and give the mind more mental hooks to latch onto then you have a very powerful and effective method for learning.