Studying for college entrance exams or even university tests requires a lot of dedication. The good news is that there are techniques and... study methods which help maintain concentration and memorize important information. One such method is mind mapping, which can be created by the student themselves and provides excellent results. In this post, we'll show you how to make a mind map in a very simple way. Keep reading!

What is a mind map?

Originally, the method known as mind mapping was created by the English psychologist Tony Buzan. This concept was first presented in the 1970s, during the program... Use Your Head, from the BBC, becoming a huge hit among students at the time. In a short time, the technique became quite popular, and is still used by people all over the world today.  

A mind map is a study and organization strategy which consists of creating creative summaries, Using colors, symbols, arrows, and catchy phrases, this visual method is very good for helping the brain memorize and organize information.

We can summarize a mind map into a study sheet which will give an overview of the theme and will help to solidify the most important points of the content. Furthermore, the mind map allows the student to... associations, which are also very effective for memorization. 

Advantages of studying with mind maps

• It helps to solidify the content.
• It organizes information and simplifies complex issues. 
• It makes the learning process more dynamic and engaging. 
• It improves productivity. 
• It enhances creativity. 
• It improves writing. 

How to make a mind map?

Mind mapping can be done in the traditional way, on a sheet of paper with colored pens, or in... applications, There are many platforms like MindMaster, Masternote, or Google Drive. There's no set rule for creating a mind map; on the contrary, you can use your creativity and do it your way. However, there are guidelines to make the process easier. For this, you can use various materials and resources, such as:

• colors (pens, colored pencils or highlighters);
• different formats;
• designs;
• balloons and sticky notes.

1. Define a theme.

The first step in creating a good mind map is to place the title in the center of the page. From this point, you can develop the content.

2. Subtitles

Write the main topics about the subject around the title, drawing arrows and branches. These subheadings should contain the keywords you want to remember.  

3. Topics related to the subject

After defining the subheadings, you can include information and details below each one, complementing your mind map. Draw arrows, create bullet points, and highlight the most important points in the text. 

4. Drawings

Adding drawings and symbols alongside the subheadings is an excellent way to make your mind map more dynamic. Furthermore, these graphic elements help locate information when you need to refer to it later.

Now that you know how to make a mind map, take the opportunity to create one! download from our Infographic about study methods. And see how to improve your performance on the college entrance exam or in college.