quote:
Originally posted by CameronJ:
Do you ever end up doing more than one Mind Map during the period of one class period? Or can you always find some way to relate new info to the main bubble?

I try and keep the mindmaps as concise as possible, but clearly in a 65-minute lecture over complicated topics, such as the War of 1898, you are going to need more than one piece of paper. Plus, I don't like to keep my maps too crowded because it makes it easier to read, and I like to have room in case I need to add something.

When I go back and study the maps and rework them onto new paper, I usually condense them, but not necessarily to one page. I have so many facts to understand that would not be possible.

quote:
Do you activate and Mind Map material before you go over it in class? (Sometimes my teachers neglect to actually discuss the things we'll need to know for the test in any great detail, and instead talk about politics or baseball...)

If I remember correctly, you are still in high school, correct? When I was in high school, the only classes which really made me read the material before the class period were English, and History (but only the more difficult classes like AP, etc.). I rarely read the material before learning the PhotoReading system in classes like Math, Science, etc.

However, reading the material before class is ESSENTIAL to doing your best. I do it every class period in college, and it's really necessary. The great part is that you become familiar with the material by photoreading the assigned reading. Then the lecture makes it everything more clear, fills in some gaps, and by photoreading before hand, the lecture usually makes a lot more sense.

Definitely activate all material before class, and mind map it too (if that wasn't implied).

quote:
Do you use large (A3?) paper both in-class and at home/dorm? Markers in class too?

I don't use an A3 pad, because I can rarely find one - but I would suggest it if you can get hold of one. It doesn't really look that much bigger when you take it to class. Same thing when I read or study, no A3 pad, but would like one.

No markers either, I find they tend to bleed through the thin, inexpensive paper, thus not allowing me to use both sides. I've tried taking two different colored pens to class lately, and found that makes the mind maps look better.

quote:
And how much time would you say you spend doing activation and Mind Mapping for each subject every night on average? Doing what you do, do you feel ahead in your grasp of the material you study?

Well activating is going to be different for me than for you, if you are in high school, because I have on average 100-200 pages a night - but never received that much in HS. Just try and get through 250 pages in 1/2 hour as Alex always says, unless its thicker or dense material.

Mind maps and PhotoReading have changed my schooling experience, but I am in no means a "master" yet, because I still have some self doubt, and don't usually spend enough time with the system. When I activate enough layers - I am schocked by the comprehension I obtain.

I think what's important for you is to use the system constantly, with all types of reading, and to use mind mapping as frequently as possible.

Although I explained the details above, I only am telling you what works for me. Play around with it and see what suits you best. To cite Alex again - when you do it all the time - that's when you reach mastery.

Good luck! Let me know how it goes, since I am still learning as well.

[This message has been edited by ked (edited April 03, 2004).]