Mind Maps are a study technique which are proven to enhance learning, improve understanding and memory through the visual representation of information. Mind Maps are a great way of exploring ideas, building upon themes and gaining a deeper understanding of a concept.
These 6 tips explore how you can use Mind Maps to study & achieve your learning potential.
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1. Map out your Curriculum: When you first start studying for your exams with Mind Maps, a good starting point is to take the time to map out your curriculum. Do this for each subject, class, module, exam or whatever you have. With an overview to aid your study you’ll be better able to prepare and get the most out of your study. ExamTime, a new online learning resource, has developed a free revision timetable tool which integrates your mind maps, creating a comprehensive overall study plan.
2. Expand Study Concepts: Once you have this overview of a subject complete, you need to delve deeper into individual topics. Take the Mind Map nodes that were once on the periphery and now place them in the center. Then create a Mind Map around them. Do this for all the main areas of your curriculum. Having this overview strategy will enable you to contextualise the curriculum areas in greater detail. Putting things in context when you study will help you better allocate your time and study the areas that most need it.
3. Brainstorm Sample Answers: Regardless of what type of exam you are working towards, the best way to prepare for it is to create some sample answers. When it comes to writing sample essay answers you can get great practice for outlining different ideas by using Mind Maps. Mind Maps allow you to emulate the same structure of an essay. Each node can be a paragraph and each strand should outline one full idea in detail. Practice makes perfect and planning out your exam answers is great skill to have polished before you sit your exams.
4. Share Study Notes: If you split up your curriculum with your classmates you can cover the above the tips much quicker. Divide and conquer, so to speak. This approach saves you an amazing amount of time while also allowing you to explore your assigned areas in detail. It also has the psychological benefits of sharing the stresses that come with exams with your friends.
5. Use Trigger Words: When you have covered your topics and are truly getting ready to sit an exam, you should use key words to trigger your memory. Trigger words ensure you know what you’ve studied. Trigger words are words that once you come across them you immediately associate them with a whole bunch of other relate ideas.
When you can trigger a whole concept in detail, without looking at any notes, then you have that area covered for your exam. Triggers words are perfect as they mimic how your brain would react in an exam. Mind Maps are the best and easiest way of capturing the explosion of ideas that trigger words can create.
6. Map out the Exam Structure: Each exam has a different structure. In some exams, you have to answer one question from each section, others you can pick three out of five. Whatever the structure of an exam, it’s vital to your exam success that you understand the layout.
So, having knowledge of the exam structure before the exam will:
- Make the exam easier
- Help you avoid unnecessary stress
- Give you more time to answer the questions
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Check out ExamTime’s article, How to Create an Mind Map Online, for more study tips!