What is Mind Mapping
Mind Mapping is the representation of ideas and information in a visual form which the mind finds easier to visualise and remember. Images are located throughout the Mind Map with a larger central image or theme located at the centre of the Mind Map. Topics and subtopics are arranged around that central image.
Mind Maps are considered one of the most effective note taking strategies and a number of different mind mapping software tools exist to facilitate the creation of mind maps.
The benefits of Mind Maps
Mind mapping is the most effective way of studying, generating new ideas, summarizing and organising information you want to recall. Mind maps can also facilitate creativity, problem solving, decision making and the generation of new ideas.
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 create a Mind Map for revision
It will be easier to recall information if you can build upon the knowledge you have already gained. Therefore create a Mind Map of what you already know of the subject or topic. When you build upon that knowledge you will be able to connect and associate new information with your existing knowledge.
First obtain a large sheet of paper or if you are using Mind Mapping Software draw or add a central image at the centre of the page. Make it stand out with colour. Then Create branches from that central image for the main subtopics related to that central topic. The main topics should be written in larger text and highlight the most important areas. Add sub-branches by creating more branches emanating from the main topics. These subtopics should contain more in depth information and keywords or short phrases summarizing key ideas that you can recall from memory. Try and see how the different sub-topics and elements are associated.
Linear note taking is monotonous and boring. The key information does not stand out, they take longer to write and do not provide a quick way of summarizing the important information needed for an exam. Mind Maps highlight the important information by placing it nearer the centre in larger writing with images that can quickly sum up a key idea or topic. Try and sum up information with a few words or even better 1 keyword or image. Use plenty of colour and images. Organize the information like this helps you to build associations and is very usefully when you want to recall information at a glance.
When you believe you have recalled as much of the topic as possible then speed read books related to your subject so that you can quickly determine the different categories that the topic is composed of. Don’t forget to look at the content pages of the books to get a broad summary of the different sub-topics and elements of the subject you are studying. This will help you to focus on the most important information when reading the subject in greater detail.
Prioritise those books that provide the most valuable information you require for passing the exam and read those books in 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.
Continually recalling the information you have just read will go along way by itself in helping you store the information in your long term memory. It will enable you to determine if your mind is effectively recalling the information and if not to adjust your memorization methods.
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.
If you want to know more about Mind Mapping and what it is and how it can be beneficial to you visit Creative Mind Mapping which provides a blog on how to create Mind Maps and a review of the various Mind Mapping Software products now on the market
