| How to Make a Mind Map Posted: 30 Aug 2021 05:00 PM PDT People have been using visual methods of representing, organizing and understanding information since ancient times. In the 1970s, researcher and educator Tony Buzan formally developed the mind map. Its colorful, spider- or tree-like shape branches out to show relationships, solve problems creatively, and help you remember what you've learned. Mind mapping can help you understand things more easily. This article will walk you through planning a mind map, constructing it by hand, and looking at the pros and cons of many mind mapping software programs now on the market. [Edit]Planning Your Mind Map - Imagine an airplane flying in the sky. When you visualize or see an airplane in the sky, the airplane is your central focus at that moment. But your brain isn't done there. It also immediately begins to make references, or associations, to the airplane. These might include the color of the sky, different types of planes, how they fly, pilots, passengers, airports and so forth.[1] Because we think in images, not words, these associations often appear in a visual form in our minds.
- Your mind instantly starts making a map, creating links between these associations, or concepts – a mental website of sorts.
- Visualize a spider or a tree full of branches now. With a mind map, you take the concept of the airplane and write AIRPLANES in the center (the spider's body or the trunk of the tree) of a blank piece of paper. Then, radiating out from the airplane, are different colored lines (tree limbs or spider legs). On these you write the associations you had to airplanes, such as PILOTS and AIRPORTS. From each of these are more associations, which you note on individual lines.
- In association with pilots, you might think of their pay or training. And so the map grows.[2]
- A mind map mirrors how our brains actually process and recall information – dynamically and visually, not in a purely linear fashion as it was once thought.
- For instance, mind mapping has proven very effective for note taking. Instead of writing down each word the teacher says as it's said (linear thinking), you write the name of the lecture topic in the center of your paper. As subtopics, examples, dates and other information are discussed, you draw and label corresponding branches.
- It's also used instead of standard outlines in academia to prepare essays, to write research papers, to study for exams, etc.
- Use your brain the way it thinks. Buzan called this radiant thinking. When our brains lock onto something – an idea, sound, image, emotion, etc. – that "something" stands at the center of our thinking. Radiating out from it are countless other things, ideas, images, emotions, etc., that our brains associate with it.[3]
- A mind map helps you make connections between and among these different pieces of information and concepts. And, the more connections or associations our brains make to a thing, the more likely we are to remember it.
- Create, capture, consume and communicate information. Making these connections allows you to do each of these quickly and effectively. Making them also happens organically as you draw the map. The use of words, images, lines, color, symbols, numbers and so forth identify and link concepts. Research shows that writing and imagery both improve memory, creativity and cognitive processing. Color is also a potent memory enhancer.[4][5] Together they create a mind map that's fed by several of our senses.
 - Mind maps are a tool to create things and to devise approaches for handling issues. Doing this requires brainstorming. So, for instance, you could create mind maps for things like your wedding, new recipes, an advertising campaign, proposing a raise to your boss and so forth. Jot down what you know about the topic. It also involves solving problems, such as better managing your money, a health diagnosis, interpersonal conflict, etc. – all of which can be mind mapped.
- They are also tools to capture information that's directly relevant to a topic so you can compress large amounts of information. For example, they help you figure out what you really need to be taking notes on, recording for a meeting's minutes, writing in your autobiography, using in your resume, etc.
- Mind maps help you easily consume information and then use it. So, they can help you better remember things, such as the content of a book, discussions with others, your schedule and so forth. You can also use them to analyze complex subjects like trading stocks, computer networking, engine mechanics, etc. Finally, they're useful in planning and executing things like a vacation, your time, a sensitive work project, etc.
- They are also powerful tools for communication.[6] You can create a mind map for presentations, group projects, heart-to-heart conversations, written materials, etc.
- Make them by hand or with a computer program. People have been drawing mind maps for decades. With the advent of mind mapping software, many people are creating them on their computers. The business world in particular is increasingly using software for everything from recording meeting minutes to complete project management. The choice is personal and dependent on the environment.
- Nonetheless, advocates highly encourage you to find your own style and let it be free flowing.
- Don't be too rigid when constructing a mind map. In doing so, you don't use both your right and left brain hemispheres as actively.
- A mind map relies upon the person using both hemispheres to create a network of associations – the right hemisphere for images, color, dimension, imagination, and "big picture" thinking and the left for words, logic, analysis, numbers, and sequential thinking.[7]
[Edit]Creating a Mind Map by Hand - Show the shape of the subject. A mind map should ultimately show the shape or architecture of the subject. It does this by visually demonstrating the relative importance of various concepts to one another and how they relate to one another. You should be able to glance at it later and remember the information. First, however, you must allow it to grow as ideas come to you, and as you see more connections.
- The adage, "A picture speaks a thousand words," is a good way of understanding what your mind map should look like. It shows both the big picture and the details.
- You can also write down the subject in words instead of drawing it, or even combine methods by both writing and drawing the subject.
- Brainstorm your topic. You can brainstorm the topic before beginning to draw, particularly if you're not recording information – such as notes from a lecture or meeting. This can be done individually or in group settings. It involves simply writing down everything you can think of related to the topic. Use keywords or phrases as opposed to sentences or paragraphs.
- Don't organize information at this point. Just get it out.[8]
- When you're brainstorming, ask yourself how the topic relates to what you already know and what's different about it.
- Go straight to mapping first instead. Many people prefer going straight to the drawing. Either way, first write or draw your topic in the center of the page. Make sure you have your paper in a landscape orientation, and in the middle write the name of the topic in 1-2 words. Draw a circle around it.[9] If you're writing down your topic, some recommend only using lowercase or uppercase printed words to reduce clutter and to make it easy to read quickly. Play with adding color to the word and circle to make it personalized.
- How you want to arrange the colors is up to you, but one idea is to use a different color for the topic word and circle to separate it from the other branches.
- Strive for a minimum of three colors in each map. They help separate ideas and aid in memory. For example, if you have four main branches, you could draw or highlight each one in a different color.
- And don't use lined paper. It can lead you into thinking in a linear fashion.
- Draw and label the first branches. Simply draw a line for each major sub-category of the topic that extends from the circled topic and label it with a word, very short phrase or image (like AIRPORTS or PILOTS). Don't use abbreviations. All lines or branches should connect in a mind map, and the first branches should be the thickest.
- Each word or image used in a mind map must be on its own line.
- Use images, photos and drawings wherever possible.
- For instance, you could draw a stop sign next to a branch with a negative sub-category (airports, generally) or a bright yellow plus sign by something positive (pilots, generally).
- Use arrows, other symbols, spacing and so forth to connect images and produce an "image-rich network," which Buzan says is the essence of a mind map.
- Move to the next branches. These should be thinner than the first. Think about the things that relate to your first subcategories. What are the important issues or facts related to them? In our example, what do you associate with airports? Delays? Security? Expensive food?
- You would then draw a line for each of these that branches off from the line for AIRPORTS. You'd give it a name, such as SECURITY.
- Again, use color and images.
- Continue branching out. You continue in this fashion as long as needed to complete your mind map. The lines will continue to become thinner as sub-categories become increasingly comprised of supporting details like facts or dates. You will also add branches to those you've already created. You might even add another first branch after discovering something you didn't know.
- Some also suggest making subcategories hierarchical.
- Therefore, if "delays," "security" and "expensive food" were all subcategories, you'd draw three lines or branches – one for each. Then you'd put what you consider to be the most important sub-category on the top or uppermost line.
- Add more or revise as a final. You can keep adding to it, modifying it and discovering new links. Or you can create a polished version. The latter allows you to check for consistency and errors in your logic. It also results in a neat mind map; you don't want to clutter your mind maps. Too much clutter inhibits your ability to see both the big picture and the details.
- Either way, ask yourself what you're learning or have learned. What larger patterns did you discover?
[Edit]Using Mind Mapping Software and Apps - Look at the pros. Mind mapping software and apps are rapidly expanding in their features. There are even some that are free with high capabilities. They allow for real-time virtual collaboration, brainstorming and discussion; map revision by other users; whiteboard, free-form drawing during meetings or presentations; personal use on your cell phone; management of complex projects from the ground up, scheduling, etc.[10][11][12][13]
- They range from being simple to use to probably requiring training.
- A couple of the top-rated programs are free. Others range from $4.99/month on up depending upon the features.
- They're easy to modify, update and are orderly in appearance. You can often upload your own images.
- Generally, you can download them as a PDF, if not in a number of other formats.
- Evaluate the cons. Their features vary, which can limit the free-flowing nature of mind mapping.[14] So, for example, one program might allow you to insert an arrow from one sub-category to another while another doesn't offer this option. The ability to make those types of visual links is quite important in mind mapping.
- Most don't allow you to draw with anything other than your mouse.
- They can take time to learn and might be expensive.
- Also, handwriting enhances cognition and memory while typing lacks this benefit.
- Try out free software and read user reviews. Test the waters by creating mind maps in free software programs. This will give you a baseline idea of their capabilities. It will also help you determine if you think they're useful enough to upgrade to those that aren't free but offer more functions. Also read reviews online to see which programs people like for what types of issues. One program or app might be great for collaborating with co-workers but not very useful for keeping track of a project's progress.
- Some free mind mapping software you can try includes Coggle, MindMapple, and NovaMind.
- Mind map is another free option that also offers paid versions with more features.
[Edit]Mind Mapping in PowerPoint - Open PowerPoint and click "New blank presentation." A presentation with only a title slide will appear. Delete the default text boxes so that the slide is like a blank sheet of paper.[15]
- Though it can be helpful to use a specialized program for mind mapping, you can just as easily mind map with PowerPoint, which is easier to access and which you may already have.
- Type your main topic or idea into a text box. Create the text box by going to the "Insert" tab and then clicking the "Text Box" option. A text box will appear in the center of the blank slide, which you can then type your word into.[16]
- Drag the main topic text box to the center of the slide. When you first add the text box, it should appear in the center of the slide by default. But if your text box isn't centered, just click and drag it until it's positioned correctly.[17]
- Insert additional text boxes to build off the main idea. If you already know what you want to add next, repeat the "Insert" process for each new word and type the words into the boxes.
- You can wait to add more text boxes if you'd rather add in the lines first.
- You can also insert images to expand on your topic!
- Position the new text boxes around the main topic. You have the freedom to place these wherever you want, depending on what you want your mind map to look like.
- For example, you could arrange them in a circle or around your main idea, or only branch off to the right side.
- Insert lines between the new text boxes and main topic. Go to "Insert" again, and then "Shapes." Under "Shapes" you will see a category labeled "Lines" that contains several different line options. Click the one you want and it will appear on your blank slide.[18]
- Position the lines to connect all of the words. Click and drag the lines so that all of your ideas are connected. If you need to, you can resize the length of the lines or change their orientation.[19]
- Continue adding branches and building off of each idea. Depending on how many ideas you have for your mind map, you could add just a couple more branches or many more. Let the process guide you!
- Customize your map. You can do this as you grow your map, or wait until you've finished the whole thing first. PowerPoint has a lot of customization options that will allow you to make your mind map unique, exciting, and thought-provoking!
- For instance, you can type your words into text boxes that are other shapes (like circles) to add variety and personality to your map. To do this, click "Insert," then "Shapes." Select the shape you want and you'll be able to type into it.[20]
- You can also format your text in different ways, like changing its size, making it bold, or adding colors.
- Don't forget that you can add images too!
- If you don't want to make a mind map from scratch in PowerPoint, you can also use "Insert" to add "SmartArt" to your blank slide. Choose the shape template you want and begin adding text.[21]
- You can create a mind map in Google Slides just as easily and in a similar way: go to "Insert" and you should see the "Text Box" option, as well as options to add a "Line" and a "Shape."
[Edit]Using Google Docs to Make a Mind Map - Open Google Drive and click on "New." Select "Google Docs" and a blank document will appear.
- Google Docs is another great and accessible option that's easy to learn and adapt for mind mapping.
- Click "File" and then "Page setup" to view the document settings. To set up the document correctly for mind mapping, change the"Orientation" from "Portrait" to "Landscape." Hit "OK" to return to the blank document.[22]
- Click on "Insert" and then "Drawing." Create a "New" drawing and the window will pop up. On Google Docs, you'll make your map in this separate drawing window before it appears on your document.[23]
- Create the text box for your main topic. The text box option isn't labeled, but you'll see an icon of a square with a "T" in the center. Click on the icon and type the word in. Resize the text box to the length of your word.[24]
- Drag the main text box to the center of the drawing grid. Click and drag until it's positioned correctly.
- If you don't see the drag option, hover your mouse pointer over the edges of the textbox until you see the 4-arrow icon appears. This indicates that dragging is possible.
- Insert more text boxes to grow your map. For each new word you want to add, click the text box icon and type it in. Drag to position it around your main topic in the arrangement or shape that you want.
- You can come back to this later if you'd rather add in lines first.
- You can also insert images to arrange around your topic.
- Insert lines between the new text boxes and main topic. Look for an icon of a line with a dot on each end. Click the carrot to see all of the line options, and choose the one you want. Then click anywhere on the drawing grid, and the line will appear.[25]
- Position the lines to connect your words. Every time you add a line, you will see options to resize and rotate it. Do this for each line as needed, and then drag the line to connect the words to each other.
- Add more branches to develop each idea. Continue using the text box and line options to grow your map until it's completed. How many branches you end up adding depends on what your concept is and how big you want your map to be.
- "Save and Close" your drawing when you're done. Click the button located on the upper right of the drawing window. You will be taken back to the main document, where your mind map drawing will now appear.
- You can go back and edit this drawing whenever you wish, so don't worry if you can't finish your mind map in one drawing session. Just double click on the drawing to open up the "Drawing" window again.[26]
- Add variety to your map. You can either do this while you work, or wait until you're completely done. Google Docs has many customization options that will allow you to adjust line and font sizes, add color and images, and even include shapes.
- For example, you can type your words into shapes instead of normal rectangular text boxes. To do this, click the icon containing a circle and part of a square behind it (this is the "Shape" icon). Choose the shape you want, double-click on it, and type your word in.[27]
- You can do this on Word as well. Create a blank document and use the "Insert" function to add the text, lines, and shapes that you want.
- Don't feel limited in your software choices: most programs that have illustration capabilities—like OneNote, Visio, or even Excel—will allow you to add shapes and lines (some may even come with templates) and provide great platforms to try creating mind maps on!
- Don't get stuck in one area. Keep your ideas flowing. If a branch doesn't work out, just start at the central idea and work your way out again.
- Don't be afraid to bring out your inner artist. If the topic is music, make each branch a musical instrument.
- Record what you are thinking by speaking out loud.
- Keep one branch of thought one color and another branch a different color.
- Ask a negative question in your mind, such as "Why can't I make sense of this?" when you're feeling stuck. Your brain will go and seek the answer. The same applies for asking questions that you expect to get an answer to, such as "What happens now?"[28]
- And sometimes you just need to step back and reflect, then come back to it later!
- Make a draft and just put all your ideas on that draft. Then you can decide what you need to put on your real paper.
- You can keep it really simple: forget colors, forget pictures. Just write a word and draw a circle around it, send branches out and add other items as they come to your mind. Spending too much time on drawing pictures, colors, thick and thin lines, bright or dark can take away from the spontaneous nature of the mind map.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Thicken Stew Posted: 30 Aug 2021 09:00 AM PDT Stew needs to be thick to have the best flavor and texture, but reaching the right consistency can be difficult. If your stew looks too watery, have no fear! You can thicken it by adding common starches, adding flour, pureeing part of the stew, or boiling away excess liquid. Soon, you'll be enjoying a delicious, hearty stew! [Edit]Adding Starch - Use cornflour or cornstarch. Mix a tablespoon (5 grams) of cornflour or cornstarch into of water. Stir them together to make a paste, then add the paste to the stew. Stir the stew until the paste is fully mixed. Cook for 2 minutes over medium heat to allow the cornstarch to mix into the soup.[1]
- Check the consistency of the stew and add more paste if necessary. Remember to cook the soup for 2 more minutes after adding the paste.
- Arrowroot can be substituted for cornflour or cornstarch. It has a more neutral flavor than cornstarch and can be used at varying temperatures without losing its ability to thicken foods.
- Sprinkle in breadcrumbs or pieces of bread for a handy fix. Stir the bread into the stew, then give it time to soak in the liquid. Check the consistency after a few minutes. Bread has a mild flavor, so it shouldn't alter the taste of your stew.[2]
- If your stew is still too watery, add more breadcrumbs or pieces of bread. However, too much can alter the flavor.
- You can use fresh, dried, or frozen bread crumbs.
- If you're using fresh bread, it's best to choose white bread.
- Add mashed potatoes for a creamier broth. For an easy option, remove potatoes from the stew and mash them. If you like a lot of potatoes in your stew, make a separate pot of mashed potatoes by boiling peeled potatoes, then mashing them. Add a dollop of mashed potatoes back to the stew. Stir the mashed potatoes into the stew, mixing it into the broth. Continue to add potatoes until the broth reaches your desired consistency.[3]
- Another easy option is to sprinkle dried mashed potato flakes into the stew. Add the flakes in small amounts, stirring and checking the consistency until it reaches the thickness you prefer.
- Potatoes have a neutral taste and will not significantly alter the flavor of your stew.
- Stir in a tablespoon (5 grams) of oats into the broth. Wait a few minutes to see how much liquid is soaked up, stirring often. Add more oats if the stew still isn't thick enough. However, don't add too much, as it may alter the flavor.
- Ground quick oats are your best option.
- How much you can add without altering the flavor will depend on how much stew you are making.
- Make a roux using flour and butter. Add equal parts butter and flour to a clean saucepan. Heat them over medium or medium-low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Cook the roux for 10 minutes, after which it should have a brownish-red color. Add small amounts of roux to the stew, stirring to combine. Continue to add roux to the stew until you reach your desired consistency.[4]
- It's importantly to add the roux gradually to avoid having lumps in your stew.
- The roux should enhance the flavor of the stew.
- Vegetable oil can be substituted for the butter, if you prefer.
- Create a flour paste for an easy option. Mix equal parts flour and water to create a paste. Then, add small dollops of the paste to your stew, stirring until it's completely mixed. Bring the stew back to a boil so that the flour taste will dissipate.[5]
- If necessary, add more paste until the stew reaches the thickness you desire.
- Flour can alter the taste of your stew, so use it sparingly. You may find the taste of the uncooked flour unpleasant.
- Don't add too much of the paste to your soup, as the flour could cause lumps. Similarly, you should add it slowly.
[Edit]Pureeing Part of the Stew - Scoop out a portion of the stew. Use a large mixing spoon or ladle to limit the risk that you'll burn yourself. Start with . You can always puree more if necessary.[6]
- Although you can puree any part of your stew, root vegetables like carrots and potatoes are easiest.
- Pureeing is a great option for when you want to maintain the flavor of the soup and aren't worried about cutting down on solid ingredients.
- Be careful when handling the stew, as it will be very hot. You could get burned, especially while blending it. Move slowly, and use towels to handle the blender or food processor and its lid.
- Place the removed portion into a blender or food processor. Carefully pour the stew into the canister, only filling it halfway. Remember that it will quickly heat the canister, so use a towel when handling it.[7]
- If you want to blend more stew than fits into half of the blender or food processor container, do them in separate batches. Overfilling the canister will make it harder to chop up the solid pieces.
- Blend the stew until it's smooth. You may need to turn off the blender or food processor intermittently, stirring to redistribute the solids. Continue blending until the stew is a thick liquid.[8]
- If your blender has settings, use the puree setting.
- Add the blended stew back to the pot. Slowly pour it back in to minimize the risk of splashing. Then, stir the stew to properly mix the pureed stew into the broth.[9]
- If it isn't thick enough, you can scoop out more solids and repeat the process.
[Edit]Boiling Off Excess Liquid - Remove the lid from the stew. You'll continue cooking the stew without the lid. This allows the steam to escape from the pot, rather than trapping it, which keeps the stew thin and watery.
- Keep in mind that this will make the flavor of your stew more concentrated, which may make it too strong. For example, it could taste very salty.[10]
- Bring the stew to a gentle boil on medium-high heat. You want to create a slow boil, so use the lowest setting that allows you to maintain a boil. Watch the stew to make sure that it doesn't start to burn.[11]
- Turn down the heat if it starts to boil too much.
- Stir the soup until it reaches your desired thickness. Use a large plastic or wooden spoon. Constantly stirring will help avoid burning the soup. Additionally, you'll be able to better monitor the thickness.[12]
- Stand back from the pot, as the evaporating steam could burn your skin.
- Remove the stew from the heat once the liquid has boiled down. Turn off your burner and move the pot to a cool part of the stove or a cooling pad. Allow the soup to cool for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Rice, coconut, tapioca, or almond flours can be made into a roux for the gluten-intolerant who can't use wheat flour.
- Avoid adding flour straight to the stew. This creates lumps that can ruin the taste of your stew.
- If you don't mind altering your recipe, you can try adding pasta to the stew. For example, elbow pasta, shells, or rigatoni could be added. However, this significantly alters the taste, in most cases.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Get Organized in High School Posted: 30 Aug 2021 01:00 AM PDT If you're in high school, you've probably got a lot on your plate! You might feel overwhelmed juggling school work, friends, family, and extracurricular activities. You're not alone. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to make it easier to organize your life. You can start by choosing some tools like a planner or app that will keep track of your schedule. You can also feel prepared for anything once you've developed a good study routine and taken some steps to start planning for your future. [Edit]Scheduling Your Time Wisely - Buy a planner. A planner is an easy way to keep track of your schedule and stay organized. As a student, you're probably on the go a lot. It's a good idea to choose a planner that is small enough that you can easily carry it or find room for it in your backpack. There are also school planner apps available for your smartphone. They show you your timetable and you can write notes or tips or reminders.[1]
- Look at several planners before choosing one. You might like one that has daily pages, or you might prefer weekly or monthly pages.
- Write down all of your to-do items and scheduled activities in your planner.
- Jazz it up by using fun pen colors or stickers!
- Use an app to keep track of your schedule. If a traditional planner isn't for you, that's okay! You can find an app on your phone that will help you keep track of your schedule. The bonus is that you will probably always have your calendar on hand. [2]
- Try Any.do to keep track of reminders and events.
- Try Listastic to manage multiple to-do lists.
- Try Focus Booster to help you divide your schedule into manageable chunks.[3]
- Make a to-do list for each day. When you have a lot of tasks to juggle, it can be easy to forget 1 or 2 of them. Instead of stressing about forgetting something, write down a list of things you need to do each day. You could either make your lists at the beginning of the week or each night before you go to bed. Your list might look something like this: [4]
- Go to soccer practice.
- Study for Biology quiz.
- Take the dog for a walk.
- Take my turn making dinner.
- Schedule even small activities. You can manage to stay on track if you make your calendar really detailed. It might seem unnecessary, but you can save a lot of stress if you set aside time for even the smallest tasks. You might not think of these as scheduled activities, but you should mark out time for them even if they just take a few minutes. As a bonus, you'll get great satisfaction from crossing lots of things off your list each day! Some short tasks you might list include:[5]
- Setting out your clothes for the next day.
- Packing your lunch.
- Sending a birthday card to your grandmother.
- Watching the latest episode of your favorite show.
- Commit to just a few extracurricular activities. It might be tempting to join a club just because your friends are in it or run for a leadership position just because it will look good on your college application. But the quality of your involvement is more important that the quantity. Choose one or two activities that you really care about and participate in them. Concentrate your energy on doing something that you love. [6]
- If you are passionate about the environment, see if your club has an Environmental Club that you can join.
- If you're really into music, you might want to invest your time in playing in the marching band or singing in a choir.
[Edit]Creating an Effective Study Plan - Create realistic goals. As a high school student, studying probably takes up a lot of your time. Work on finding study methods that work best for you so that you can save time. Start by setting some clear goals for yourself. Create both long-term and short-term goals. Write down things like:[7]
- Get an A in Biology.
- Pass the AP exam in History.
- Improve grade on next French quiz.
- Write down all of the steps necessary to achieve those goals. After you list all of your goals, break each one down into manageable steps. Make sure to jot down any important dates, like exam days. This will help you make sure that any major deadlines don't sneak up on you. For example, if your goal is to get an A in Biology, you might write down steps such as: [8]
- Review notes for 10 minutes each night.
- Start studying for tests 1 week before the test day.
- Ask teacher for extra credit assignments.
- Find a study method that works with your learning style. Some people are visual learners while others do best listening to material. Try out a few different ways of studying to see what works for you. If you find that flashcards really help you retain information, you're probably a visual learner. If you do better when a friend verbally quizzes you, you're more of an auditory learner. It also helps to use multiple learning styles as opposed to just one.[9]
- Experiment with different methods. You can always use more than 1 way to study!
- Feel free to use different methods during the same study session.
- If you're a kinesthetic learner, try studying someplace where you can stand up and walk around, and maybe even draw out your thinking on a whiteboard.[10]
- Make time to study every day. You can stay organized by creating an effective study schedule. That means setting aside a little bit of time for school work each day. It's easy to find little pieces of time in your schedule each day. It's much harder to find hours in a day each time you need to cram for a test or write a big paper. [11]
- Studying in small chunks will also help you better retain information. Aim for about an hour each day.
- Set up a good study space. If you have a go-to study spot, you won't have to waste time looking for a place to study each day. Set up an area in your house where you can do your homework undisturbed. It might be a desk in your bedroom or a quiet corner in the den. Try to choose a spot that doesn't have a television. [12]
- Make it clear to your family members that you don't want to be disturbed when you're in your study spot.
- Set yourself up for success by gathering all the supplies you'll need. Grab your books, notes, and computer. Don't forget to grab something to drink and a healthy snack!
- If you can't find the perfect study spot at home, consider going to either your local or school library.
- Keep in mind your learning style when choosing a study space. For instance, if you're an auditory learner you probably want to be someplace quiet, where you won't get distracted and confused by the noises around you.[13]
[Edit]Setting Yourself Up for Success in the Future - Map out your classes early in your high school career. Colleges are typically looking for students who have a wide breadth of knowledge. This means that you should try to take a variety of classes in a number of fields. Begin planning your classes as early as your freshman year to make sure you fit everything in. Don't worry, you'll still have time to take classes that interest you! Plan to take classes in each of these areas: [14]
- English. Take an English class each year and aim for a mix of writing and literature courses, if your school offers all of these options.
- Math. Take at least 3 years of high school math. Look for a combination of Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus.
- Science. Take at least 3 years of high school science. Try a combination of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science.
- Social Studies. Take at least 3 years in this area, with a mix of U.S. history, world history, and government classes.
- Foreign Language. Colleges like to see students with a good foundation of foreign language skills, so take at least 3 years in high school.
- Arts. Colleges look for well-rounded students, so take at least 2 years of art courses. These might be studio art, music, or drama.
- Challenge yourself with AP courses or honors courses. You can really help yourself feel ready for college by taking some more difficult high school courses. Look through the offerings of AP and honors classes and choose a couple to take. Choose classes that play to your strengths. [15]
- For example, if you're great with words, you might want to take honors English instead of AP physics.
- You might also be able to get college credit or place out of entrance exams by taking these types of classes.
- Prepare for important tests like the SATs and other entrance exams. Most colleges in the U.S. require you to take the SAT to gain admission. This might seem really daunting, but don't worry! There are lots of ways you can prepare. Start by choosing the date of your exam well in advance and creating a study schedule for yourself.[16]
- You can take review and prep courses in person or online. These are really helpful and can make you feel much more confident.
- Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your plans. Your college counselor can be a great resource! They can offer you personalized advice about your high school and college plans. Make an appointment to meet with the counselor and discuss any questions you have. [17]
- You can ask the counselor about the best classes to take, wise extracurricular choices, and about which colleges they might recommend.
- Plan ahead to meet your college application deadlines. College applications take a lot of work, but with careful planning, you can make sure to get everything done. Applications are typically due in the fall, so you'll want to be working on your applications over the summer. Start by making a list of the colleges you want to apply to and gathering all of the application information. Make a list of important things to remember, such as:[18]
- The date when each application is due.
- Who will provide your recommendations and when you will request them.
- A schedule for working on each application and when you will complete it. It's a good idea to start with the application that is due first.
- Adjust your schedule as necessary. You don't want to burn yourself out by doing to much.
- Ask your teachers for help if you fall behind in your classes. In most cases, if you're kind to the teacher, when you ask for help, they will happily give it to you.
- Use your extra time in the summer to volunteer or get an internship. Those look great on college applications!
- Be sure you use your schedule given to you at the beginning of the year to your advantage. Using it will help you know exactly when you have all of your classes.
- Keep your room and locker neat.
- Work hard but make sure to have good friendships and have fun too!
- Reduce stress by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet.
- Try asking your friends for help. They may have some more tips to help you stay organized, if you are still having trouble.
- If you ever have trouble finding a class, even if you aren't a freshman or new student, don't be afraid to ask a teacher for help.
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