Quote:
Originally Posted by insatiabl3 
Ilya, Mind mapping sounds great, but how do I get started? I've heard of the term but don't know how to do it.
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Mind maps is a way to organize facts, ideas, thoughts and links between them. They look like a tree-like (or octopus-like) chart that starts from one root or central idea and is expanded in an intuitive way by adding other facts, ideas, concepts or thoughts to the chart and linking them by lines.
There are a lot of books and products dealing with mind-maps. But in fact, all you need for a start is a piece of paper (A3 format is best, but A4 can also work) and some colored pencils or markers.
For example, let's consider Calculus you'll be taking. Calculus is the root topic, so write it down in the center of the sheet. Two main parts of Calculus are Differentiation and Integration. Let's put these on the sheet. For me they are equally important, so I'll place them to the left and to the right of the center.
Connect them to the word calculus with a line. My simplest map is ready, but not very useful.
Then I can list the main topics in Differentiation and connect them with the lines to the word "differentiation". I would add the formulas, the theorems the examples if needed and connect them with the links.
Then I will do the same for Integration. In the end I would have the nice overview of the Calculus on one page. In fact I did such a map when I was preparing for my college exams.
The beauty of it there is no "right" way to do mind maps. You do them in a way that seems intuitive to you. The purpose of the map is not to capture some "truth" but to capture your association and your understanding of the topic.
The power is in the way that you link stuff. You can link hierarchically - breaking the larger topic into smaller bits. You can link similar items and opposing items. You can spot any relationships between two items and make a link based on it. You can even use all types of links on one map. Probably you'll have to use several color for that or annotate the links. Play with it and find you own way.
If you need more information and examples, just google "mind mapping" and it will come up with quality material right away. Check the wikipedia article. It contains the "rules of proper mindmapping". Read them, and do it your own way. It will still work.
Hope this helps.
Oh, and have a look at
this thread for more resources.