When revision time crops up and you feel daunted by the stack of notes on your desk, there is a handy tool which boosts your memory and makes study a more creative, appealing pursuit.

A mind map – a kind of diagram which represents all the information you need to learn, present or analyse, in a visual manner – enables you to get to grips with a large body of information, increase memory retention during the revision process and even boost your creativity.

Mind maps have been used for centuries, yet they were first brought to the mainstream public by Tony Buzan in the 1970s, who introduced the public to this new method of study. Buzan and other proponents of the use of mind maps pointed out that the natural human tendency is to scan an entire page in a non-linear manner. Studying from written texts, on the other hand, forces us to read from left to right, a process we can find tiring and resulting to a loss of interest and focus. Mind maps, on the other hand, allow us to capture and comprehend the associations that can arise from one topic.

When it comes to revision, there are plenty of tips that you can put into practice, such as eating right and ensuring you master your sleeping pattern, so you can sleep to revise well, but you also need practical tools to memorise information.

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Advantages of mind mapping

Mind mapping has proven to be an effective tool, not only for revision but for a number of different uses such as brainstorming or even creating stream-of-consciousness ideas lists.

Proponents of mind mapping point to a host of advantages, including:

  • Mind maps enable us to organise information better visually, through the use of branches and sub-branches.
  • They encourage idea generation, since the process is a highly creative one that encourages us to view ideas and topics from fresh perspectives and to think in a non-linear fashion.
  • Mind maps allow us to organise massive volumes of information, encouraging us to focus on the ideas and facts that really matter.
  • They can be used for much more than revision; they can aid us in carrying out various tasks, including planning projects, making negotiations and presentations, problem solving, project management, collaboration, brainstorming and note taking. Mind maps can even be used to help us make personal decisions.
  • Mind maps make facts easier to remember thanks to the colours and images they contain, which are easier for the brain to retain than linear text.
  • They encourage us to use analytical left brain by training us to search for key words and ideas.

How to use a mind map effectively for exam revision:

You have two choices when it comes to making your own mind map: you can either draw it by hand or use a wide range of interesting software options which are ideal for collaborative projects. Regardless of which type you choose to work with, a few basic principles to follow when using mind maps for revision include:

  • Start at the centre with the page with a circle or square (‘central node’) indicating the main topic.
  • The main ideas that make up the topic should be represented by thick branches that emanate from the central node. Your branches should have one word or two for the purpose of clarity. Think of each branch as a heading in an essay or a book.
  • Create smaller sub-branches which extend out from every branch. Think of these as sub-headings.
  • At the end of each branch, write out one key word or concept. This will make it easier to remember key concepts during revision.
  • Find images or pictures which illustrate your ideas and paste them onto key areas in your diagram.
  • Try to find connections between the various branches and sub-branches; this is a crucial aspect of critical thinking.

Remember that with any notes of this type, it is up to you how you do things, and you have options. It is crucial that you establish what is going to work for you rather than just following tutorials, and establish what kind of learner you are. There's no point in creating a massive mind map if it isn't going to make sense to you when you revisit it.

Of course, mind maps are just one part of the puzzle, you need to create an effective timetable for revision to properly manage your time and strategy.

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Mind mapping on paper or on your computer

Mind mapping paper
Mind mapping on paper: Image Source: Unsplash.com

You will need to make a choice on whether you're going to do your revision mind-mapping on paper, or on a computer program. Many of the programs can be accessed within your browser, and they may even allow you to add collaborators to revise together. If you have a friend struggling with techniques for good revision then this could be a really good way to share your thoughts.

Creating mind maps on paper and on a computer each has its own set of advantages and drawbacks, depending on your personal preferences and needs.

Paper mind maps are tangible, which can be appealing to those who prefer a physical connection with their ideas. The act of drawing and writing on paper can stimulate creativity and a sense of ownership over the map, plus, you can do them anywhere and you don't need a computer to create a mind map. If you want to test your memory and how much you've remembered about the subject then staying away from a computer will also help you to avoid the temptation to search for things.

Benefits of using your computer include the digital organisation and flexibility provided by the software. You can easily add, move, and restructure elements, which is great for dynamic and evolving ideas. Plus, as we've already mentioned, you can add other people to the mind map to help.

Mind mapping tools

There are several online tools available for creating mind maps. These tools can help you visually organize your thoughts, ideas, and information. Here are some popular online mind mapping tools:

  • MindMeister: MindMeister is a collaborative online mind mapping tool that allows you to create, share, and edit mind maps in real-time. It offers a range of features, including integration with other apps like Google Drive and Evernote.
  • XMind: XMind is a popular open-source mind mapping tool with a free version. It offers a variety of templates and features, making it suitable for both personal and professional use.
  • Coggle: Coggle is a simple and easy-to-use online mind mapping tool. It's great for creating basic mind maps and is often used for brainstorming and project planning.
  • Lucidchart: While primarily a diagram and flowchart tool, Lucidchart can also be used for mind mapping. It has a user-friendly interface and offers collaboration features.
  • Biggerplate: Biggerplate is a mind map library that offers various online mind mapping tools. You can choose from a selection of software options, including MindMeister and XMind.
  • MindMup: MindMup is a free online mind mapping tool that integrates with Google Drive. It's a straightforward tool for creating basic mind maps.
  • Milanote: Milanote is a visual collaboration platform that can be used for mind mapping, as well as organizing and sharing creative projects. It provides a flexible canvas for visual thinking.
  • Canva: Canva is primarily a graphic design tool, but it also offers mind map templates that you can customize to create visually appealing mind maps.

For further information on mind mapping check out this interesting range of books on the subject. On top of this, there are many different template books that you can buy, and notebooks for mind mapping that may prove to be very good revision tools.

You need to get the basics right before you use the mind mapping tools, such as eating for success and ensuring you are in a good frame of mind for your revision.

Using mind maps with existing resources

Revision
Revision: Image source: Unsplash.

There are many different resources and sites for revision out there, and mind maps can be one of the best ways to take notes. For some people, using the information to create a map of a topic or concept overall can help to retain simple notes.

Other revision methods include using highlighters on resources as well as revision cards.

Skim through your resources and identify key concepts, ideas, or pieces of information relevant to your chosen topic. You can use highlighting, underlining, or note-taking to mark these key points. Begin organising the extracted information into a logical structure. Start with the central topic or main idea, and then create branches for subtopics or key concepts. Each resource or piece of information should be connected to the relevant branch.

Use this as one of your revision tools, revisiting old mind maps can help to show the full understanding of a subject and give an overview of everything related to one of the key topics.

Conclusion

Among many revision how tos, you are likely to find a few that resonate with you. Mind maps are invaluable tools for revision due to their visual and concise nature. If you do it right, a mind map can distill complex information into easily digestible, interconnected structures, enhancing comprehension and memory recall. The act of creating a mind map itself reinforces learning, as it compels individuals to engage with the material, fostering a deeper understanding. These diagrams also offer a swift and efficient means of reviewing large volumes of data, making them ideal for exam preparation.

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Joseph

Joseph is a French and Spanish to English translator, language enthusiast, and blogger.