How to learn using Mind Mapping

Over the years I have learned a lot about how to learn and how to learn more efficiently by using more effective note taking strategies, better reading strategies, and improving creativity and memory using hand written mind maps and more recently mind mapping software.

I wanted to share what I have learned as it has been helpful to me when studying for exams and will aid others who want to improve their memory and learning and be useful when studying for exams.

When learning and studying for exams at school I was using incorrect methods and strategies for memorizing information. These would include linear note taking which can be time consuming and not at all efficient for reviewing information. Linear notes involve writing ideas in the form of sentences. They also make it difficult to see how the different key topics and sub topics are related.

Advantages of Mind Mapping

Linear note taking lack the visual cues that aid in recalling key topics and elements of a subject that mind maps have. They can even be a hinderance to revision as too much time can be spent writing and trying to locate the key information and not on memorizing the key information.

More importantly they do not fully utilize both sides of the brain. Imagine running in a race using only half of your body. This would be very inefficient if not impossible. Likewise the brain functions much better when both the right and left sides are being used. Just as you would be able to move many times faster if you utilized both sides of your body so your mind functions many times more effectively when you are fully utilising both sides of the brain.

The left side deals mainly with words, numbers, logic, lists. The right side deals mainly with Colour, Rhythm, Imagination, Daydreaming and seeing the whole picture.

The reason a mind map is such a powerful tool for learning, memory and creativity is because it combines all of those activities and they reflect the structure of thought and memory which work via association, imagination and images. Mind maps provide a very powerful aid in studying, problem solving, note taking, writing and decision making. They can also greatly assist creativity and memory as they enable the visualization, organization, association of ideas and information.

The elements of a mind map are arranged intuitively according to the importance of the concepts, and use branches or nodes to associate similar key topics and subtopics arranged around a central key word or idea. Mind Maps enable quick revision and recall of information and they organize information in the same way that the mind does.

Five Main rules of Mind Mapping

Here are five main rules when Mind Mapping suggested by Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Mapping and creator of IMindmap. IMindmap is the only Mind Mapping software that fully utilizes all of these 5 rules.

1. Create your Central Idea.

The image should represent the overall theme or topic for your Mind Map and should stand out using colour and preferably a central image.

If you are creating your Mind Map by hand then insure you have a good sized sheet of paper. Draw a central image in the centre of the paper, of If you are using Imindmap you can choose a central image from the library or create one yourself and select it from your personal collection.

2. Draw the Main Branches and add keywords.

Draw the Main Branches and add a key word for each main area of that theme or topic. Try and use thicker branches near the centre and larger keywords representing the main sub-topics. Making the key sub-topics stand out by placing them nearer the centre of the mind map with thicker branches and larger letters will help your mind differentiate and visualize the key information easier.

Curved organic branches are the most effective as they reflect the structure of your brain and add variety and excitement making the information easier to remember. Straight lines do not excite your mind and are boring. Adding colour and curved branches allow your mind to soak up more information which is crucial for recall.

IMindmap creates organic, natural looking Mind Maps by enabling you to create curved organic branches and organizes the thickness of your branches with the branches nearer the centre of the Mindmap thicker then those on the outside. You can also create the branches in freehand mode.

3. Colour

Colours are exciting to your brain as images. They add extra interest and life and give energy to your creative thinking. Add Colour to your Mind Maps.

IMindmap adds plenty of colour to your Mind Map automatically selecting a colour for you or ifyou want you can add your own colours.

4. Add Child branches

Add child branches and Keywords from your main branches representing sub sub-topics. Try and stick with single words as they will generate many more associations and connections allowing your mind to spark off new ideas and thoughts. Single words will provide power and flexibility to your Mind Map.

If you are using Imindmap you can always add hidden notes or links to your branches so your Mind Map remains clear and easy to follow.

5. Images

A picture can paint a thousand words and images have a huge impact on your brain. The more you use them the better. Try and use images rather then words when you can as they encourage imagination and creativity and make it easier for your mind to recall information. You will also be fully utilizing both sides of your brain in the process.

Imindmap makes attaching images or icons to any branch very easy and has an image library enabling you to search for thousands of images online or offline. Or if you wish you can import your own or sketch your own using Imindmaps drawing tools.

6. Add Connections

Create plenty of connections between the different branches as your mind works best by creating associations and connections between ideas. It likes to link up 3 or 4 things together. If you connect branches and therefore ideas you will understand and remember a lot easier. These connections will start forming the rest of your main branches then your second level branches and then third branches until you run out of ideas.

Relationship arrows should also be used to connect two ideas which are related but may not follow one another.

To enhance your Mind Map, with IMindmap you can insert a collection of different features including Notes, links to websites or documents, clouds, arrows, floating images, text and even your own sketches.

If you think your Mind Map is getting too large you can easily link it up to a child Mind Map.

You can also export your MindMap as a webpage, image, PDF, Word or PowerPoint to be used as a presentation.

In the following video Tony Buzan, who invented Mind Mapping and helped create Imindmap explains the benefits of Mind Mapping and why it is so effective.

Download Tony Buzan’s iMindMap Today

Kids’ memory is usually disorganised and that makes them forget quickly. They often forget what homework was given in school; spellings they learnt recently and some times they are unable to recall people’s names. Due to disorganised thoughts they tend to give less importance to these facts and fail to register the information in their mind and thus forget. By stimulating their brain with activity that motivates them to think, recall and organise will certainly enhance their memory.

Children can remember better if the activities they are involved in are visual and or audio based. They can retrieve information better if they see and hear. To constantly feed your kid with such activity could be quite demanding but online memory games will surely help you in this regard. This is also the reason why we see that today’s schools are including more of these AV aids and or involve child to draw more to remember more. Got it?

Number Scrambler

This game will help the kids in recalling phone numbers, spellings, signs and symbols. The game is scientifically devised to cater to the intellect of the brain and to build the memory skills of children. The game is interactive and it displays numbers and the audio tells the number that has to be stored in your mind and type it when asked to. You have a similar process game that will help you learn spelling and signs.

Finding the Suspect game

This memory game requires some sharp memory, and when you start it may be appearing quite easy but as you progress and find out the suspect, difficult and harder to crack. However, it can certainly prove to be a good memory game not just for kids even for adults; or may we say the ageing adults.

Jelly Bean Match

All you need to do in this game is to match the jelly bean by color; it is very simple and easy to play. When you successfully match all the colors you win. It is real fun and at the same time you will be feeding your memory to recall better.

Simon Memory Game

This game is classic memory game in which you have to repeat the series of colors and sounds that are displayed. There is another game called the ‘Celebrity Simon’ and the instruction for the game is to remember the sequence of goofy celebrities who need to be associated with the strange noise they make.

Studies disclose that a lot of stress in a kid’s life can affect their memory drastically. So it is necessary for the parents to balance between play and studies. Online memory games serve the purpose of both and kids will enjoy these memory games while learning something new.

Lots of Kids are anxious about taking tests. They can feel pressured to do well and it can have a detrimental effect on their self esteem should they fail. Children wrongly associate test success with how smart or capable they.

The reality is success at tests is in a large part down to factors which can be improved dramatically with some effort.

It is useful to remind a nervous test taker that the test is about knowledge and skill. So, the trick to successful test-taking is to follow the five “P” strategy:  Plan, Prepare, Practice, Be Positive and Punctual.  These strategies assure that a student is able to effectively demonstrate his/her grasp of a subject.

Plan — At least a week before the test date, Set aside time each day to spend a little time reading, reviewing, and remembering.  Break the expected information (chapters, ideas, techniques) in to sub-sections and plan on focusing each day on just one sub-section.  This step is important because it allows students to mentally prepare for the test.  The pre-test jitters are reduced because the student is aware of the time put in and the effort to learn boosting his/her confidence.

Kids know when they haven’t done their best.  Students who don’t plan for the test often feel unprepared because they know they may have shirked their responsibility avoiding the nose-to-the-grindstone time spent.  And, their self-acknowledged lack-of-effort undermines the confidence that is required for successful test-taking.

Prepare — Some kids can just read the material and “get it”.  Others need additional modes of information input.  Outlining the chapter or rewriting notes from class in an outline form can help kids organize the information.  Outlining also helps to illuminate what pieces of information are missing.  Plus, for “visual” kids, a visual snapshot of the outline creates a picture that the student can access visually during a test.  Sometimes talking about what you know helps cement it into your memory.  Reading through an outline out-loud and telling someone else between-the-lines information, helps “auditory” learners store the information.  They’re thinking, talking and hearing their own words, making them more memorable and available during a test.

Practice –Making up test questions can often help students practice before taking the test.  When important information is formed in a question, the key ideas can be emphasized.  When taking the test, students are wise to “highlight” (in their minds if not on the test paper), the key words that determine what the question is really about.   Practicing the process of breaking questions down into their key words makes the process easier and more accurate when taking tests. In addition, having some idea about what might be on the test and how it might be worded can ease the jitters and build confidence during the actual test.

Be Positive – Remember: You can do it — others have done it — and most have survived!  And, if the student has planned, prepared, and practiced for the test, he/she has the best chance of doing well.  A little like Dumbo’s feather, kids who have done the work have more confidence because they believe they are prepared.  Unlike Dumbo’s feather, it is legitimate confidence based upon real study skills.

Be Punctual –to prevent feeling rushed or hurried.  Student’s anxiety creates a physical state of anxiousness (nervousness, sweating, heart palpitations, rapid breathing).  Then when kids “feel” anxious, they think they “are” anxious.  This mistaken belief can often block a student’s ability to relax during the test –with his/her mind open and available for the questions on the test.  Being relaxed before the test begins (by being on time) helps keep students relaxed and attentive during the test, confident they are ready to do their best.

For children, depression treatment may include psychotherapy either alone or in combination with antidepressant medication. Research indicates that the best approach for most children is a combination of both. Treatment can be provided by a psychiatrist. In more severe cases hospital care may be required.

There are a number of different types of psychotherapy available and treatment will vary between different children and different types of depression.

Causes of Childhood Depression

It is important when treating depression in children not to forget the cause and only treat the symptoms. Depression will often have an underlying social and psychological cause that cannot be address through the use of medication alone.

These can include a family breakup with two parents splitting up, a friendship break up or problems such as abuse or bullying at school. Temporary episodes of depression can be brought on by exam fears. Some children are less resilient, more sensitive, and less able to cope. As a result they can become depressed more easily.

Treatment usually consists of counselling or psychotherapy and antidepressants. Simply having them talk about their problems to family and friends is often a major step towards recovery

Antidepressant medication

Antidepressant medications are often an effective way to treat depression in children and adolescents. However, antidepressants can produce harmful side effects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that an extensive analysis of clinical trials showed that antidepressants may cause or worsen suicidal thinking or behaviour in children and adolescents.

However leaving depression untreated can itself lead to a higher risk of suicide.

Cognitive behaviour therapy.

Cognitive behaviour therapy has been shown to have a better success rate then antidepressants at beating depression for good and preventing a relapse into depression once treatment has stopped.

This is because the objective is to change the way something thinks and behaves. Therefore unlike drugs which treat the symptoms, cognitive behaviour therapy attempts to address the cause.

Often depression is caused by a faulty thinking process caused by a situation. This situation results in negative thoughts, emotions, physical feelings and actions.

Learning to change the way you think and behave to a situation can in turn change someone’s feeling. Cognitive behaviour therapy attempts to change the way you behave and think about yourself, the world and other people.

Conclusion

Remember, early detection and treatment of depression is important at any age — and family support is essential. If you suspect that your child is depressed, contact your child’s doctor or a mental health provider.

Antidepressant medications are often an effective way to treat depression in children and adolescents particularly in conjunction with psychotherapy. However, it is important to be aware of the possible side effects of antidepressants and the alternatives to antidepressant medication.

Which antidepressants are approved for use in children?

Prozac (fluoxetine) is approved for use in children and adolescents for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Luvox (fluvoxamine) are approved for use in children and adolescents for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Other antidepressants for adults that are not approved for use in children include Paxil (paroxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), Wellbutrin (bupropion), Effexor (venlafaxine), Serzone (nefazodone), and Remeron (mirtazapine).

However a doctor can use their medical judgment to prescribe other antidepressants for children.

What are the risks associated with Antidepressants?

Antidepressants can produce harmful side effects and complications. Antidepressants carry warnings about their possible link to suicidal behaviour.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required that black box warnings be placed on all antidepressant medications warning that they may result in increased risk of suicidal tendencies in children and adolescents. A black box warning is a safety warning that the FDA issues for some prescription medication.

You can find this warning on the package insert. It usually contains a black border that surrounds the text of the warning. [See Image]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that an extensive analysis of clinical trials showed that antidepressants may cause or worsen suicidal thinking or behaviour in children and adolescents.

The analysis showed that children taking antidepressants had about a 4 percent chance of developing suicidal thoughts or behaviour, compared with only a 2 percent chance in children taking a sugar pill (placebo).

The FDA in October 2004 issued a public health advisory and began requiring manufacturers to label antidepressants with strong warnings about the link to suicide in children.

However, not all mental health researchers believe these warnings are necessary. Some studies have reported opposite results — that suicide rates in children decrease when they take antidepressants.

Should any antidepressants be approved for use in children?

Just because there is a warning about a possible link between antidepressants and suicidal thoughts does not mean that antidepressants should not be used to treat depression.

The warnings that come with antidepressants should just be used to weigh up the pros and cons before using these medications.

Antidepressants can be an effective way of treating depression and often work well with psychotherapy. They are not used to just treat depression but other disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Depression and other disorders can prevent your child leading a happy and fulfilled life or engage in everyday activities. Depression can in some cases lead to suicide if it is not treated.

Should I take my child or adolescent off anti-depressants?

You should consult with your doctor responsible for your Childs medication to discuss the best course of action if you observe worsening depression or the emergence of suicidal thinking.

Do not halt the antidepressant medication without first consulting with the prescribing doctor as this can cause discontinuation symptoms if stopped abruptly. If your doctor advices that your child should stop then follow his advice carefully on how to do this.

What groups benefit the most from antidepressant drugs?

Antidepressants may be particularly helpful for children who:

• Suffer from severe, chronic or recurring depression
• Suffer from psychosis or Bipolar disorder
• Do not often have access to therapy
• Suffer from Dysthymia depression

Are there alternatives to antidepressants?

Huge improvements to mood and overall health can be gained by what you eat. What you eat affects brain chemistry.

Making changes to your children eating habits can dramatically effect their mood. The following changes have been recommended:

Give them a balanced diet and a rich nutritional supplement. Low levels of serotonin levels in the brain are known to have a significant impact on mood and many factors that contribute to low serotonin production are created by nutritional deficiencies.

Limiting consumption of carbohydrates. While you should not eliminate all complex carbohydrates limiting carbohydrates can reduce depression.

Limit food and drink containing colourings and preservatives.

Exercise releases endorphins which creates a natural euphoria and reduces stress.

Sunlight contributes to mood and there is a real connection between vitamin D deficiency and depression. It’s commonly known that natural sunlight stimulates vitamin D production in the body.

According to a number of studies including the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry up to 2.5 percent of children and up to 8.3 percent of adolescents in the U.S. suffer from depression.

If you believe your child is suffering from depression, talk to your doctor or mental health provider. A test for depression will usually involve a question and answer session with your child. A Diagnosis is usually based on their medical history and symptoms, so your doctor will need to talk to the child first.

Psychiatric Depression Tests

There is no clinical test for depression, but there are a number of psychiatric tests and questionnaires to measure depression. The two main methods used in psychiatry come from guidelines published by the American Psychiatric association and the international guidelines provided by the World Health Organization.

1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Published by the American Psychiatric Association it is a classification system based on all the known recorded symptoms associated with a particular mental condition. Your doctor will ask your child if they have certain symptoms, depending on their answers, they should be able to identify what the condition is.

2. International Classification of Diseases.

Developed by the World Health Organization and used for a whole range of illnesses including mental illness this method is based on the known symptoms associated with a particular mental illness.

Diagnosing Depression in Children

A test for depression is more difficult with children then with adults. Children are usually less capable of expressing their feelings and will express their moods in a more physical way. Some may be withdrawn and tearful, others may become irritated and hyperactive.

Secondly depression can go unrecognized by families and physicians as signs of depressive disorders in young people are often viewed as normal mood swings typical of adolescence. Also health care professionals can be slow to ‘label’ a child with a mental illness diagnosis.

However early diagnosis and treatment of depressive disorders are critical to healthy emotional, social, and behavioural development.

A test for depression usually involves asking the child if they suffer from certain symptoms which are commonly associated with depression. These may include

• Tiredness, headaches, stomach aches or vague physical complaints which appear not to have a tangible cause.
• Insomnia, sleeping irregularly, too often or not enough
• Changes in weight
• Irritable, sulky, being quite and introverted
• Loosing interest in favourite activities or hobbies
• Decline in school performance and exams
• Poor self esteem or regular feelings of worthlessness
• simply appearing unhappy much of the time
• major changes in weight
• contemplating suicide

If depression is diagnosed then it is important to find out what form of depression your child is suffering from.

Depressive disorders include a number of different types. These include major depressive disorder (unipolar depression), dysthymic disorder (chronic, mild depression), and bipolar disorder (manic-depression).

IQ tests and aptitude tests differ in that aptitude tests tend to test knowledge or experience in a specific area. Aptitude tests have a variety of uses in education, professional establishments, military and psychology.

IQ tests should be less focused on knowledge or cultural orientation and test a wider range of innate abilities.

They should test more then one intelligence, otherwise known as Multiple Intelligence’s. These include the following.

Abstract reasoning IQ

Abstract reasoning is an excellent measure of basic mental ability. It predicts how fast children will learn new ideas and concepts and how they utilize the knowledge they have already gained. A child that scores high on abstract reasoning tends to learn quickly and understand complex problems faster. They may have excelled at activities like puzzles and legos at an early age and learned to read early.

Logical-mathematical ability IQ

Children with mathematical/logical ability exhibit many characteristics. Math, science may be their favourite subject in school. They tend to be good at computing, experimenting, searching for patterns. For instance, they may enjoy solving puzzles, counting, collecting and classifying things, and take an analytical approach to problems. Mathematical/ logical intelligence entails the ability to reason either deductively or inductively and to recognize and manipulate abstract patterns and relationships. These are the kinds of skills highly developed in scientists, engineers, economists, accountants, detectives and members of the legal profession.

Famous examples: Albert Einstein, John Dewey.

Perceptual IQ

A child who scores high on this test will need good observation and perceptual skills. They will also require a good concentration and processing speed. This test will measure your Child’s ability to decipher a code and recognize subtle differences and similarities in words and objects. A Child with this ability usually enjoys cracking codes and games like code breaker are an obvious example. You need a lot of perceptual intelligence if you are a code breaker, or a programmer.

Famous example: Alan Turing.

Linguistic IQ

Young Children who score high in linguistic IQ tests will usually start talking and reading early in childhood. Older children will have a higher sensitivity and understanding of subtle differences in language. They will also have a greater vocabulary and understanding of complex language then other children their age. Children with linguistic ability exhibit an enjoyment for writing, reading and Storytelling. Games like Scrabble are often favourite activities of those who excel in linguistic intelligence. English and social studies are sometimes their favourite subjects. Lawyers, writers, poets and eloquent speakers are strong in linguistic intelligence. Studies have shown that someone’s Academic and economic success is strongly tied to their Linguistic ability.

Example: T.S. Eliot, Noam Chomsky, W. H. Auden.

Visual-Spatial IQ

Children who score high on this test are better able to recreate visual images from memory. They display an ability to arrange color, line and shape to produce creative works of art and sculpture. They will be able to locate their position on a map and get to a destination easily. Children with this intelligence will show an interest in Jigsaw puzzles, drawing, geometry and photography and may show an interest in games that rely on visual-spatial planning such as Chess. These children have potential for becoming great architects, illustrators, interior decorators or computer graphics designers. You need a lot of spatial intelligence if you are an architect, sculptor, surgeon, dancer, cab driver or chess master.

Famous Examples: Garry Kasparov, Michelangelo, Frank Lloyd Wright.

Online Kids IQ Tests

There are a number of IQ tests for adults online but few for children.

If you would like to test your childs IQ please check out the following links. ExpertRating provides aptitude tests for different professions and IQ tests for different ages.

IQ Test for Children Aged 10 to 15 years – Click Here

IQ Test for Children Aged 7 to 9 years – Click Here

IQ Test for Children Aged 4 to 6 years – Click Here

IQ Test for Children Aged 3 years – Click Here

IQ Test for Adults – Click Here

One of the most effective ways of increasing your chances of passing  exams at school is to obtain past Test papers.

There are 4 reasons for this:

1. It enables you to establish the type of questions being asked.
2. How those questions will be marked. For exam some answers carry more points then others
3. Carry out a practice timed assessment to establish how to manage your time during the exam.
4. They enable you to go back and review information from books or notes that are most important for the exam.

The earlier you obtain past papers the better as it enables you to gear your revision around the type of questions that you are likely to get asked.

Here is a list of downloadable Past test papers for different age groups for those taking SATs. These are for exams taken in the United Kingdom but these test papers are still helpful for those of the same age taking other exams at school

PAST SAT EXAM TEST PAPERS

If you are about to take a test or you are helping your child study for an exam then you may find the following tips for exam revision useful.

Studying for an important test can be a stressful time for anyone particularly if you are unprepared, ill-advised and you have left revision late.

Exam revision should be started well before the exam. This will make it easier to absorb the information. Recall and comprehension of the study material is increased and the process is less stressful.

How past test papers can assist revision

A crucial step to preparing for a test is to give priority to study material that will be of greatest use for revision purposes. To do this you must have a good idea of the type of questions that will be asked during the exam.

You can obtain this information by talking to their teacher. Ask them what key areas will be emphasised in the test. Whether the test involves multiple choice or written answers and what reading material your child should give the greatest attention to.

As early as possible try to obtain past test papers for previous examinations. You should try and obtain past exam papers for a number of reasons.

Passing tests is not just about knowing what answer to give but also how to answer a question. Some questions will carry more points then others which usually involve more then one answer. It is important you know how points are rewarded and how examiners will mark the test.

Obtaining past exam papers will enable you to test your child against the clock. It is vital your child manages his or her time effectively during the exam. Getting every question correct but partially completing a test paper can still result in a fail.

The revision process

Revision involves 3 fundamental steps. Firstly planning and managing your time effectively. A timetable can be useful for this. Secondly focusing on what matters. Past test papers will have made it easier to concentrate on key areas most likely to be asked during the exam. Thirdly writing notes efficiently that can also be reviewed quickly before an exam.

How to use mind maps for revision

Don’t let your child get bogged down writing too many notes from books. In fact its best to avoid writing linear notes altogether. These can be monotonous, boring and difficult to recall.

The most effective notes are those that utilize colour, drawings and highlight the key topics that make it easy to locate the information that matters.

Effective note taking is crucial for learning, creativity and memory if the correct note taking is utilized. Avoid linear note taking and instead focus on Mind maps which utilize drawings colour and keywords and phrases.

Mind mapping involves the use of images, symbols and words to represent ideas and knowledge in a visual form where the central theme or topic is located at the centre of the mind map and subtopics are arranged around a central image or keyword.

Mind Maps are very effective note taking techniques due to the way that mind maps arrange and present information. Images and drawings are much easier to remember and the branches on the mind map help the mind to organize and associated related information which is crucial for recall. Also the most important information is easier to find and scan quickly making it easier to review information quickly before an exam.

You should create mind maps for each topic of the subject you are revising for. They should start off creating a mind map of knowledge that can be recalled from memory. This is knowledge that has been gained from books, notes, classroom activities and discussions. Also knowledge of the subject you have gained from outside the classroom. It is easier to build upon pre-existing knowledge

The mind is better able to recall information when images are used to represent key ideas, and associations are made between key ideas. The branches in a mind map and the images make this possible.

As they revise for the test their mind map should become more detailed with keywords, pictures, and phrases representing key ideas and points.

Reviewing the mind map every few days and trying to recall as much as possible from memory is an essential element of revision. This is because constantly recalling information is important to preserve and re-enforce knowledge in long term memory.

Reviewing before the exam

A few days or so before the exam encourage them to review their mind maps. Ask them to recall as much as possible for each key area. They should be able to scan their mind map and recall from memory related information. This will reveal any gaps in their knowledge that can be filled in by revisiting the material.

A day before the exam they should get plenty of sleep and make sure they understand the requirements for the test such as what can be brought into the exam room. Drink plenty of water as dehydration can cause tiredness and diminish concentration.

Gaining as much information as possible about a test by talking to the teacher and obtaining past test papers, combined with effective note taking will significantly increase their chances of success.

Whether you are an adult or child studying for an test or you are a parent who wants to help your child study there are some study techniques that have been proved to be very effective for memorizing, comprehending, recalling and summarizing information.

The most effective technique for studying and revising for exams is by using Mind Maps.

Mind mapping involves the use of images, symbols and keywords to represent ideas and concepts in a visual form where the central theme or topic is located at the centre of the mind map and subtopics are arranged around a central image or keyword.

The reason they are so effective is because they utilize both images and words and therefore both hemispheres of the brain. Imagine trying to run in a race using only one side of your body. The mind like the body functions better when both sides are used.

Visualization and association

The mind works best using visualization and association

Images in a mind map represent key ideas and are easier to remember and aid in recall as they give the mind more mental ‘hooks’ to latch onto and so aid memory. They also act like visual cues helping to recall the information quickly before it is lost from long term memory.

The branches of a Mind Map help form associations and connection and make it easier to see how related information fits together which aids in understanding and in turn facilitates memory.

Also the most important information is located nearer the centre of the mind map and the images make it possible to recall key ideas at a glance making it easier to locate the information that matters rather then reading through lots of notes trying to find the information you need before an exam.

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They also provide a birds eye perspective of a subject or topic which again aids in recall and understanding as the mind can see how the different subtopics relate to one another at a glance.

Mind maps are also great for dyslexic children as they enable them to create effective notes without focusing too much on the words which can be a barrier to their learning.

Mind maps are not just used in note taking but are used to facilitate creativity, problem solving, decision making and the generation of new ideas.

Helping your child to revise using Mind Maps

How much you assist your child in revising using Mind Maps will depend largely on the age of the child and their experience in using Mind Maps.

Before doing any revision it is important to obtain past examination papers if possible so you are aware of the type of questions that will be asked in the exam and the reading material required.

Prioritize those books and study materials that will be more useful for exam revision.

Using a large sheet of paper you could start by creating the central image or keyword representing the subject or topic that is being revised for. Together you should create branches from the central image or keyword representing the main sub-topics that will cover all aspects of the topic.

Let your child brainstorm what knowledge of the subject they have already by creating more branches, keywords and images representing the key ideas.

This will enable you to:

1. Determine the level of knowledge your child has gained of the subject from school, books, their family and peers. Also from the media and elsewhere. You may be surprised to find out how much they already know.

2. Help to determine what gaps in their knowledge may exist which can significantly aid in pinpointing any areas that need to be addressed before the exam.

They will help your child to:

1. Learn more quickly as they will be able to build upon the knowledge already gained and see how new information relates to what they already know. This will help to form more associations and connections.

2. Use the Mind Maps just before the exam as an effective method of recalling at a glance what they have gained and aiding in revision.

As you help your child study encourage them to continue adding to the Mind Map by forming more branches, adding more colour and images as they read through any revision material. As more information is added the Mind Maps should become more detailed and shift away from the centre.

During the end of every revision period, using the Mind Map as a guide encourage the child to recall in detail what they have just learned. Constantly reviewing information helps to transfer the knowledge from short term memory into long term memory.

Representing ideas with very short sentences, preferably one or two keywords has been shown to be the best method of creating mind maps.

Not having to read though lots of notes to find the key information for the exam will be a great time saver.

As the exam approaches they should be able to recall in detail the knowledge gained during revision by glancing at their Mind Map. The Mind Map should contain a detailed summary of all the topics required for the exam.