Mind Map

A Mind map is a method used for taking notes in a creative way. It uses key words and visuals to help solve problems by encouraging the creator to make connections and apply radiant thinking. For our first assignment I focused on a major problem that I have been worried about in my life since I started college in 2012. This problem was graduating on time and being able to walk the stage with everyone else in my class in 2016. I have already partially failed to meet this goal due to the fact that I transferred from Merrimack after my freshman year, leaving all my first year friends behind. Instead, I am seeking the same goal to graduate in 2016, but with my new set of friends in my class at Roger Williams University.

Creating a mind map was definitely beneficial because there are so many different things that cloud my mind when working toward the goal of walking the stage in May 2016, but using the branches on my mind map I could have a visual of all the positives and negatives that affect this date and try to focus most on the beneficial key words the most. There were many things going through my head when making this map: Different requirements, incentives, feelings and activities that I participate in. I broke these all up into different branches and it helped me realize that I have a major case of “Senioritis” where I am getting lazy and enjoying the social life, and celebration of our last year in college, more than the actual studying. It is hard because I am only taking three classes this semester, but the mind map also helped me realize that I have a lot of incentives and support that keep me involved, determined, and working toward my goal.

A problem that I had encountered when making my mind map was trying to figure out how to condense my issues into one word instead of phrases. I am a person that likes to elaborate when I write and so it was hard to keep it simple. This was a good exercise to help me practice simplicity but to solve my problems I resulted to drawing little pictures to help describe the term, as well as looking up synonyms online for a phrase I wanted to add to the map.

My AHA! moment was when I realized a mind map was used for problem solving. When I first read the directions I thought you just take your first problem and then take a macro focus on any other part of the branches for a second mind map. It didn’t really make sense to me but I did it anyway for my rough draft and went about with having “Graduation” be my first cloud, while “Senioritis” was my second. This didn’t make as much sense because they were both problems of mine and there really was no solution offered, leaving me bummed out and clueless. When I re-read the directions and started my second rough draft, I quickly realized I should focus on the other branch entitled, “Incentives” and it would have a much more positive outcome.

If I had more time and resources I would definitely try and organize my mind-map in a more creative way. I would draw a big picture of a graduation cap in the middle and off of the tassels I would branch off my different buzz words, creating a more interesting and appealing visual in all.

Mind-mapping is a great way to explore yourself and your thoughts in a different and fun way. It is also extremely relaxing for a person like myself who loves to zone out to some music and doodle anything on my mind.

Rough drafts: