How to Study Smart


Why do some students study very hard, spending most of their time doing their revision but they aren’t the best in their study group? And why are there some students who only spend a fraction of the time studying but they often get good or even outstanding results? This was not due to the lack of natural talent in studies but it simply means that they have not found an effective tool which acts as a knack for understanding concepts and learning new ideas. One of the smart study habits is by using mind-map to promote effective and accelerated learning experience.
A mind map is a useful web-like structure which emphasizes visual imagery that helps to engage in critical thinking and seeing a bigger picture. Empirically, mind-mapping is proven as an effective method of note-taking as an active learning (Abi-El-Mona and Abd-Ei-Khalick, 2008; Liu, Zhao and Ma et al., 2014).
Mind mapping makes learning more vivid, thus promotes creative thinking and encourages brainstorming. This then helps in memory retention, in the meanwhile, enhance the motivation of the learners. Mind-mapping can be used for note taking, completing homework assignments, preparing for exams, analyzing, and reflecting about lesson and academic materials.
There are six steps to making a mind map (Tony Buzan, 2011).
  1. Start in the centre of a blank page turned sideways.
This is because it encourages brainstorming by spreading out the relative ideas in all directions. You can also easily add concepts, information and linkages around the main idea to better grasp the “whole picture”.

  1. Draw the image for the central idea and use image throughout.
It would be more interesting as images can create visual effects that generate creative thinking and encourage imagination. In general, people are more attracted to images rather than just words.

  1. Use various colors for your mind map.
Colors help people to recall information better as it can easily draw attention. The dynamic nature of the mind maps makes the study more fun, and less stressed!

  1. Connect central idea, central image and branches to second and third branches, etc.
Information becomes knowledge through connections. Association happens when you link the new knowledge with concepts that you have already comprehend, thus grasp the relationship among its parts easily. Therefore, when you connect the ideas, understanding becomes easier.

  1. Make your branches curved instead of straight-lined.
It is more appealing when the branches are curved, as it facilitates visual coordination, which means it is more “interesting to the eye”. Various icon and non-symbolic representations can also be used to individualize the mind map.

  1. One key word for each line.
Instead of writing the whole sentence, one key word would help us to specifically identify the key ideas. Keep it short and simply by reducing the unnecessary parts and focus on the important.

In conclusion, mind-mapping seems to be effective and due to its memorizing and visualizing characteristics. So what are you waiting for? Start to study smart now, before it is too late!

References

  1. Abi-El-Mona, I. and Adb-El-Khalick, F. (2008). The Influence of Mind Mapping on Eighth Graders’ Science Achievement. School Science and Mathematics, 108(7), pp.298-312.
  2. Liu, Y., Zhao, G., Ma, G. and Bo, Y., (2014). The effect of mind mapping on teaching and learning: a meta-analysis. Standard Journal of Education and Essay, 2(1), pp.017-031.
  3. Buzan, T. (2011). Mind Mapping [online] Available at: http://www.tonybuzan.com/about/mind-mapping/ [Accessed: 21st June 2017]
By: Yau Che Yan, BAF1541
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