3 things you should know about mind mapping

Learn to organise your thoughts visually

1 Magic maps
Mind maps are diagrams that help you organise your thoughts visually – portraying words, facts or things to do, helping solve problems, write essays, and store and recall pieces of information. Linking words and ideas in a loose, circular format around major themes, and then into sub-groups, is effective because the brain works by association. Experts say mind mapping makes information easier to remember and makes studying more enjoyable.

2 In class
Mind mapping has applications beyond simply revising. Many students use them when listening in lectures, as an abbreviated form of notes, and say it helps them to focus on only the most important ideas, without having to write down every single word. After the lecture, the graphical form of the mind map will aid recall when writing up more formal notes for future revision – as your brain has ‘photographed’ the image produced, and linked the image to what you have heard.

3 Map making
To construct a mind map, take a blank, landscape piece of paper (the larger the better) and start in the centre, writing your central theme (eg ‘ethics’) in capitals – but without boxing it in (the idea is that the word forms its own shape). Let your mind wander, allowing the image to stimulate associations. Use lower case as you branch out and link up more words. As new ideas appear, permit yourself to start new ‘branches’ even if you haven’t completed others – you can always go back.

"Linking words and ideas in a loose, circular format around major themes, and then into sub-groups, is effective because the brain works by association"