What is mind mapping?
The best thing about mind mapping is it’s an easy way to get information in and out of your brain. You don’t have to take long boring notes that only end up confusing you so it makes studying a lot easier. It can also be a way to jot down ideas for project planning. A mind map is made up of circles, lines, words, colours and pictures much nicer than black or blue written notes.
Why do mind mapping instead of taking notes?
Well notes can get you bogged down in a lot of information that make it harder to learn. They can also be very boring to read and sometimes the words just blend together. Mind maps are very colourful, as they use colours, pictures, words, circles and lines. These work better as they get both sides of your brain to work together in remembering the main topic and it’s keywords. When you engage both sides of the brain to study or plan out projects it’s a bit harder to be dragged away it
or distracted by other things.
What does a mind map look like?
It looks a bit like the pictures in this blog, they use as much colour as possible for each branch that comes out of a central theme. A different colour for each branch helps you retain the information. Each branch can have more branches that represents key words for each of the main topic’s key points. The example in one of the images looks at conflict as the main topic. It then goes on to see where each type of conflict could occur: interpersonal; inter-group; international. Each of these keywords are broken down further if needed. So Interpersonal is broken down into work; family; friends for example. Remember, a colourful map like this with keywords is easier than a lot of boring hand written notes.
How to do a mind map.
I bet a lot of you already know how to do a mind map by just looking at the pictures above but let me give you some of the pointers all the same.
- Use a plain blank piece of paper, you might need to placed it sideways.
- Draw a picture in the middle of the page that sums up your main topic. Now label it. From the example the above main topic is conflict and they use a lightening bolt striking the ground with the word conflict written beside it.
- Draw curved lines in different colours coming out of the main theme to represent branches which are the main keywords or points you need to remember. In the example of conflict these are: interpersonal; international; inter-group. These represent your sub-topics. Use coloured pens to write these words and underline them. Draw more pictures to represent these main sub-topics.
- Next from each of your sub-topic/keywords draw any further lines you need to represent your next main points, in the example for interpersonal these are: family; work; friends. Again draw a picture to represent these and add names. Add as many branches as you need, it’s like drawing branches on a tree.
Remember the key points of doing a mind map
When you want to draw a mind map you need to think of: What, Where, When, Who, What and Result.
So that you take your topic or idea and ask yourself: What happened, Where did it happen, When did it happen, Who was involved, What was going on and what did it all Result in.
A first example of this is if you were planning your party what about: What time, Where will it be held, When is it taking place – date, Who is invited, What will happen -food, games and the Result, well should be one great party!
Another example for school would be when writing an essay for class. Getting those ideas or main points down first will help you write a better essay. You will have your proposed title then three branches with the Introduction; the Main body of story; the Conclusion. Main topic or title is in the middle of the page; then map one branch for your Introduction and any little branches off this are the points you want to make in your introduction such as main characters. The next branch is for the main points or main piece of your story so lots of little branches here – all the things that will happen in the story. Then the last branch is for the Conclusion – you always need an ending.
I think you get the idea from these two examples but if you’d like further information have a look at Mind Mapping for Kids by Tony Buzan.
Your mind mapping tool box.
Plain blank paper is best. You can use scrape paper too.
Markers or coloured pencils. Or some magazine images.
Book or notes from which you get your main topic and key words.
Most importantly your brain.
Why not give it a try? Always make it colourful, underline main or keywords and draw pictures. Adults and teenagers can use this technique too for college essays, work projects or home and garden planning.
Work With Me.
Remember you are allowed to ask for support. No one is an island. If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.