Generally, when we are studying a topic or a chapter on our syllabus, we tend to read several times over and over again until we are able to "memorize" part or all of what we read. This type of study technique may work well for people who have a good memory, but not for those who do not. What's more, even if you have a good memory meaningful learning would not be taking place, since simply data is being memorized but not being assimilated.
It is for this reason and because we think that a large part of the error when studying is at this point that is why we are writing this article for you today. We assume that there are people who read first, then underline and then make a short summary or outline that they will study next. We would add one more step to this process: the elaboration of a conceptual map of the studied. Concept maps help you study better for the simple reason that in very few words, counted, they minimize a whole topic and they help you see where each part of the topic is divided. It is like that little mental map that we make when studying to find out what point was within another and in which subcategories or sections that concept was divided or classified.
The concept map usually has concepts embedded in rectangles or squares almost always joined by arrows and with two or three connecting words between one and the other. Here are a couple of examples to give you an idea of what we are talking about.
Its realization seems simple but if you start from today it will not be easy at first. You will want to put more words than they should go (let's not forget that a concept map must contain the basics and little else, because otherwise it would be more of an outline); you will not know whether to unite one concept with another; and you will even have doubts about its dimensions. But it's all a matter of practice. Start doing it in a simple and not very complicated topic and little by little you will see that you are getting more and more complex topics.
It will be of great help when remembering concepts and organizing your study on a single map. By the way, it is recommended that the concept map fits us on a single page, at most two. Lucky!
It is very useful thanks a great job congratulations