How to create a good mind map

Mind maps are great resources to create throughout the year so, when it comes to exam season, you have something as the foundation for your revision. ​For me, I like to make either a very detailed mind map or a very brief one. I find a more detailed one helps me to review and understand the content whereas a brief mind map helps me to memorise content. I often make the mind maps from the text book directly, but if you like condensing content, maybe further condense your flash cards onto the paper. Of course everyone learns from making resources differently, but the following points are what I personally find best! 1. I do my mind maps on A4 plain paper, and I use solid black guidelines underneath to help me write straight! I prefer plain white paper as there’s no lines as distractions and helps the words to stand out more. ​

2. I often use my stabilo pens for headings, then a black pen to write the content and highlighters to highlight key words. The mind map in the picture was done with zebra ballpoint pens for key parts. Whichever pens you use, I think having key words and important content in different colours is important, especially for visual learners! 3. I keep my writing style simpler, mostly for the fact it makes it quicker and easier for me to make a mind map! However, if you prefer calligraphy titles, I think this is also fine! 4. I don’t do bubbles around titles as it takes up space, and I once read that your brain separates things this way- and doesn’t allow you to make links in the content (although I don’t know how true this is!) 5. I start with the heading in the middle, but not too big that it takes too much space. I then begin writing in the left hand top corner, usually I just continue writing round but sometimes I will divide my page (in pencil) so I can be sure that everything will fit on. 6. I like to leave spaces between each paragraph to help me differentiate between different sections of the topic and this helps me to picture the mindmap in my head - I am a visual learner so tend to remember the layouts of my revision resources. ​ 7. Rather than storing my mind maps in my folder amongst all my other notes, I either store them all together in a separate folder or stick them on my wall so I see them more often These tips are what I find the most useful, but if you have already found a way that works for you, then that's great! If not, I really hope some of these have helped you :)