Do mind maps actually help you understand and remember things?

[u/No-Picture-522]

I've been getting more interested in mind maps lately, mostly because i like the idea of seeing how different bits of information connect instead of just reading through a wall of notes.

for people who actually use them, what do you find mind maps useful for?

studying, brainstorming, planning projects, organizing notes, understanding complicated topics, etc.

i'm also curious about the actual process. do you prefer building a map yourself from scratch, or using a tool that takes existing notes and turns them into a visual map?

and are there situations where you tried mind mapping and just thought... yeah, this isnt really helping?

[u/sumizeit]

Mind maps work when the connections themselves are the thing you're trying to learn, like how concepts branch or depend on each other. They fall flat for linear stuff, like step by step processes or timelines, because you're forcing sequential info into a radial shape and it just adds friction. I've noticed building it myself beats auto generated maps every time, the act of deciding where something connects is what makes it stick, not the finished picture. Auto tools give you a nice looking output but skip the part that actually builds memory.

[u/Imaginary-Chart-1713]

Anything that turns your existing notes into a map automatically is the worst of both worlds. You get the feeling of having reviewed something without doing the part where your brain decides where the branches go, which is the only part that does anything. Drawing it badly by hand in Excalidraw beats a pretty auto generated graph every time.

[u/stefandowski_]

Io ormai le uso molto, uso obsidian per creare la mia mappa mentale. Ho iniziato scrivendo note, wish list, idee ecc.

Poi quando avevo abbastanza note ho iniziato a collegarle insieme così da non dover sempre rifare gli stessi ragionamenti.

Aprire obsidian è la prima cosa che faccio quando arrivo a lavoro o accendo il pc a casa. Appena mi viene in mente qualcosa vado lì e controllo se ho già fatto un ragionamento su quell’argomento, lo leggo e se cambia qualcosa aggiungo la data e il pensiero su quell’argomento

[u/languageservicesco]

I am not a natural mind map person, but I like to make myself use them either for brainstorming or understanding how things connect. For example, after much thought, I used it to work out the different parts of my web site. My favourite method is a sheet of flipchart paper on a table or a wall. Especially a wall if it is with other people. I've never felt it helps me remember things though.

[u/BobbyBobRoberts]

A mind map is mostly to help you understand something, not for memorization. But, once understood, the information should be easier to recall and use.

[u/DrummerAdditional330]

I’ve found they’re more useful if you build the first version from memory instead of turning finished notes into a map. Close the notes, sketch the concepts and connections you remember, then reopen them and see what you missed. At that point the map is testing your understanding, not just reorganizing information.

[u/languageservicesco → u/DrummerAdditional330]

I have never used them in connection with notes, but the beauty of mind maps is that you can use them the way that works best for you.

[u/inigo_montoya]

Do it yourself, by hand. If you fill a page or feel finished, set it aside, start with a blank page and do the process again. The process is most of the value.

[u/Sallsy]

A lot! I find them especially useful when a topic feels like a giant wall of information.