How to Make Notes to Study Effectively- The Perfect Mindmap

In this video, I will show you exactly what I do when I start studying a topic step by step. This mindmap method is the one thing that truly speeds up every subsequent part of my learning process and over the last few months has completely changed my approach to revision.
And it's all a live practical walk-through of me actually doing it with a topic!
This is the first video in my live studying series. I'll be going through and creating a mindmap of a topic I'm studying. Mindmaps are the key to forming a solid mental model or foundation that will speed up and improve every subsequent part of the study process.
I really hope this helps and do let me know how you guys want me to improve the videos in this highly-requested series better as well as suggestions of more videos!! Enjoy.
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Chapters⏳
0:00- Intro
0:34- Practical Action
0:54- Why you NEED to create mindmaps
1:29- The Mindmap Method
2:24- Step 1- Skim & create list
3:12- LIVE demonstration of skimming
3:59- Step 2- Categorise the topics (very important)
5:12- LIVE demonstration of mindmapping
5:54- Step 3- Creating the actual mindmap
6:51- 3.1 Find a memorable way to link all topics through one key idea
7:42- 3.2 Represent 90% of the sub-topics and processes visually
9:03- 3.3 Create extreme clarity in flow of ideas (4 tips)
10:14- I made mistakes…. implications of the method
11:11- How I'll use this mindmap to 100x my speed
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Socials & Links 📣
INSTAGRAM: zain_asiif
EMAIL: [e-mail]
WEBSITE for IB / A-Level Students: www.unlockib.com/
I hope the video added some sort of value to your life... If you enjoyed the video, please show some love and drop a like + comment!! 🌟 Share it with friends that you think would like it or benefit from it too 💥 And subscribe for more videos every week! 🔔

[@stormblazer9991]

I respect the fact you show how practical these techniques are by showing real-life applications, compared to most other vids. Keep it up.

[@divyanshkashyap3938]

Yeah, knowledge alone is not enough.Application is the real treasure nowadays.

[@jerrycrockford5934]

Dammit! I just hit the Like button so hard, I cracked my iPad. This was soooooooi helpful. In 65, completely failed at school and have made my way through life successfully with good sales skills. So excited about what you have shown me here. I’m now studying history and geography and absolutely loving it…. actually LEARNING and UNDERSTANDING for the first time in my life. Thank you man.

[@sereenarc]

Jerry, good luck in your studying/learning journey. Proud of you.

[@mrarcade2504]

I watch a lot of Justin Sung videos But i have to say that your video has to be the single best introduction I've seen on how to get into mind mapping. It is honestly great

[@zain_asif]

Happy it helps, we all have the same goal at the end of the day

[@zandermcelroy1515]

Honestly the most useful KZbinr on the platform. Every goal/dream requires competency in its knowledge and he’s showing the best and most clear routes to the destinations we all seek.

[@zain_asif]

Wow such kind words thank you, happy its helping!!

[@brandoutmusic]

I think the live walkthroughs are an amazing idea for a series! Like you said, other study youtubers like justin have great videos on certain aspects of the study process but never really take the time to go through it live the way you did. It's SUPER helpful because it shows us the reality of how "messy" learning can be and how to navigate that in real time. Really love your videos man, I can tell they're really well thought-out! Keep it up! Edit: One potential improvement if you think it would be helpful is to maybe include a timer or like a total time elapsed counter for us to see roughly how long this may take someone like you realistically! Not that the goal is to do it as fast as possible, but just to have a rough idea of how long each step of the process might take someone :)

[@zain_asif]

Thank you for the kind words !! And timer wise ofc good idea. (For this vid the skimming footage was 15 mins and the mindmap took 14 mins)

[@way2saturn]

0:00- Intro 0:34- Practical Action 0:54- Why you NEED to create mindmaps 1:29- The Mindmap Method 2:24- Step 1- Skim & create list 3:12- LIVE demonstration of skimming 3:59- Step 2- Categorise the topics (very important) 5:12- LIVE demonstration of mindmapping 5:54- Step 3- Creating the actual mindmap 6:51- 3.1 Find a memorable way to link all topics through one key idea 7:42- 3.2 Represent 90% of the sub-topics and processes visually 9:03- 3.3 Create extreme clarity in flow of ideas (4 tips) 10:14- I made mistakes…. implications of the method 11:11- How I'll use this mindmap to 100x my speed

[@zain_asif]

Love that

[@Zilayza]

I think you hit the nail on the head. I have watched videos from all the same sources trying to figure out how to do a good mind map. This video really managed to capture all the important aspects, the mindset, questions asked during, the process, the product, all of it. I'm saving this video so I can go back to it later to check I've not forgotten a step as this video really centralised it all.

[@parthsarthisuri5372]

Absolutely banger - cannot wait for the live walkthrough series!

[@nahomwondwossen4328]

Bro Zain, you're producing excellent content. I've been searching for evidence-based learning techniques for so long, and you delivered it while going into so much detail. Thank you so much for these practical tips!

[@zain_asif]

I'm so happy you've found it useful :))

[@ryu8459]

really appreciate the effort you put in to make these videos practical and understandable

[@huizylove]

You go direct to the point and answer so many questions, especially with practical information that can benefit classes like calculus

[@sumaiya-ey5zc]

You’re so underrated!! As a med student ur techniques r very useful to save time but study properly

[@trishawalia944]

You dont know how you are helping out us…Thanku so much🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@tamatoarima6878]

Super helpful, thanks man! Love the energy too!

[@Renee11123]

Thank you for showing the practical application for using the mind map.❤ Super helpful!

[@azuratriesnewstuff]

Helped me get out of my rut/ mind block. Thank you so much

[@user-ud9tn9rc5m]

How!! how! how on earth is he so underrated . Im a new subscriber aspiring doctor as premed but my studying is so unorganised. Im so thankful that i got to find this absolute heck of a channel .

[@______jkkg____________________]

Thank you so much for the video! I just discovered your channel and in my eyes, it is already one of the most helpful for medical students, it's literally a lifesaver for those who just started their journey and don't know how to study properly yet. especially because you show the viewer the whole live process instead of just explaining the concept and showing the end result. But now I'm curious about how you'd use the method for anatomy or how you study anatomy in general. Id absolutely look forward to a video like this :)

[@drishasaha7527]

Thank you so much for this practical tips. Keep going. May God Bless You

[@blakespurlock5322]

Compa eres una bendición. Gracias por compartir su método y pasando tanto tiempo mostrándonos cómo se hace.

[@TheSassyKlassyChick]

Thank you so much for these tips. I’m starting nursing school in May, I have been out of school for over 10 years…your tips helped me realize I did not know how to truly approach studying and retaining info. You truly are making the process of studying more approachable.

[@dsa877980]

Tried and it’s life changing! thanks for making it live, it makes the concepts easier to understand . And it is important to see representation of non experts to do so that I would not feel bad after first trying it❤

[@VHangout]

As a GenXer who is back in school for another degree, I’m happy that I’m not the only one to combine the analog method with the digital method for study notes. Thank you for this video. It def adds to my style. 👏

[@shuamata8537]

I've watched a lot of justin sung vids on mindmaps and you're really great distilling a lot of info from his vids into concise and practical advice. Thanks for that! It would be great if there was an ipad view of the mindmap while you were making it so that the contents of the mindmap would be clearer on the video. Still a great vid though!

[@Pinkbutterfly45]

I'm preparing for upsc and your tips are very helpful keep growing. Bless you. 🎉💜🌻

[@soundcreates]

Yet another amazing video Thabk you so much for all your helpdul, and practical, resources❤.

[@nusratmim9488]

I have pharmacotherapy exam tomorrow and this just was a blessing

[@capironi9277]

i love you. inspiring man very hardwork

[@mhammadaytour7862]

Thank you man, i wish that you'd know that you litteraly saved my life man.

[@roshanscott9136]

Trying this today! Thank you!

[@Iamathiestexmuslim]

You are over here saving my academics❤

[@rafatfields8613]

Thanks Zain. This was incredibly useful. I couldn't agree more. I'd much rather learn from someone closer to the beginning of their journey because you are closest to understanding what it feels like to take the first steps. I hope your classes are progressing well. I can't wait to see what's next.

[@beegreene9744]

Thank you so much!!! I am hooked on the concept of mind mapping for note taking but had been struggling to find a comprehensive break down of how to actually accomplish them! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

[@zain_asif]

So glad it helped!?!

[@Kowshika507]

Wow Very Nice !! I am going to implement this in my Studies !! Love For India ❤❤❤

[@shakilaputri5193]

Thank you, my exams are in a week and ever since I found your mindmap videos my life has been changed. ❤

[@zain_asif]

Incredible, goodluck!!

[@sereenarc]

Zain, your videos are genuinely so helpful man. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

[@zain_asif]

So glad they help man welcome to the community

[@ananda0607028287]

You're an amazing help, love your videos!

[@zain_asif]

Glad they help!!

[@harshita28369]

Thank you so much for this!!!

[@iramercs]

Thank you! I have been wanting to see how to do mindmaps and not just instructionss! :))

[@zain_asif]

Glad it helped !

[@cr1mz0n48]

Man you just dont know much your videos help me during my study in nursing school I cant even believe that your just giving this thing for free 🥺 thank you sooo much brother..

[@zain_asif]

Plenty more coming, very happy you're finding it useful :)

[@onyemaluchidubem5631]

Exactly what I needed.....You're good 💯

[@zain_asif]

Thank you!

[@sanaparhiar3058]

Thank you for this video this was really helpful!!

[@zain_asif]

Happy it did!!

[@riccardoshima9812]

This is the video I was looking for

[@beegreene9744]

I took key points and created a mind map about the information you provided here. And I came back to revisit this resource as a a revision tool for implementing your process! Thank you so much for this series!

[@zain_asif]

That's excellent haha meta learning at it's finest

[@jewlzoo]

Great video! Keep them coming!

[@zain_asif]

💪

[@shahabwani8004]

i was finding the right way that how to make a mind mape cuz so many poeple talks about smat studies and mindmaping system etc but dont teach HOW TO so thank youu to make detail and clear video on this topic your method of teaching is very effictive GOD JOB!

[@zain_asif]

So happy you found it helpful! Thats exactly why I made it :))

[@ava-ql6go]

Beautifully explained brother! im also a med student (1st year) and our syllabus is so so content heavy its overwhelming, especially physiology (we need to study it from guyton and hall) but this method is so fresh and new especially with the walkthrough thank you so much!!! P.s the first thing i noticed was that pakistani piano ball point lol

[@studykeeda4901]

i love how your videos are practical😊

[@zain_asif]

Thank you!

[@Chinekeh]

Good stuff. Very similar to I Can Study and Justin Sung’s body of work.

[@aimankhan3404]

Just wanted to search this video & open the youtube & your video just pop up!you know your audience very well!👏🏻

[@zain_asif]

Thank you haha nice

[@HazelAis]

Really authentic, thanks!

[@zain_asif]

Welcome!

[@beautifulmermaid1111]

Asif , can you please make videos about math , physics and chemistry? And your videos are really helpful. Thank you man. You are the best. I searched so much study videos before. But not a single video is helpful as yours. Thank you again for doing God work❤❤❤

[@estudosporfichas1638]

Seu conteúdo é muito bom. Agradeço muito por compartilhar. Acredito que não tenha noção da diferença que fará na vida de estudantes em todo o mundo, principalmente, aqueles que têm uma carga de estudo muito superior à média. Agradeço mais uma vez por seu trabalho e generosidade em compartilhar.

[@malvinalexisjamescustodio9329]

Wow throughout of all videos that I watched I think this is the best. What I love in this video is very detailed unlike of others ❤ Thank you so much for this wonderful Video ✨

[@zain_asif]

So glad it was useful! Welcome to the channel :)

[@champ4428]

GREAT JOB THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@zain_asif]

Glad it helped :)

[@brittnyspicer5331]

I am in grad school & this tutorial has been incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@zain_asif]

So glad it was :))

[@firdausmahali3941]

Thanks Zain for the sharing

[@michaeladeyemi7210]

amabeautiful work

[@farai6]

pretty helpful, thank you.

[@fitrimutmainnah1634]

Hi zainn, thank you very much for making this video and actually showing the process of how you do it, but i have a question, i notice lots of drawing in your mind map, do you have any advice for someone who can’t and don’t enjoy drawing but still want to create mind map in order to strengthening that first layer of studying?

[@mhammadaytour7862]

May ALLAH grant you jannah my brother for all those great things that you are giving to the students.

[@zain_asif]

Jazakallah my bro thank you, wishing you all the best

[@outerspace488]

thank you a lot for such priceless tips uve taught to us. however one question..generally most people use ipads etc for mimdmaps etc..but i wander y u prefer writing in paper . is there any advantage that tops ipads etc?

[@Sungodnigga310]

Thank you Buddy Love from INDIA..❤❤

[@ameyaprakash]

What about trying to link Mindmap for subjects such as history? How to make things which don't look very closely linked. For eg - I have a chapter which talks about the russian revolution and speaks about things such as The people, Events leading up to the revo ( Causes), Bloody Sunday ( Event) and Aftermath. Additionally are we supposed to mindmap topics( ie the causes in Russian Revo.) or entire chapters ( Everything in one). Great video btww

[@FahimmMohammad-vs8pm]

amazing brother, i know that this is gonna help cuz i was searching for such video since very long. please make a video for anatomy

[@zain_asif]

Thank you bro, I have one for anatomy on the channel. Anything else ure looking for specifically?

[@udaniirunika1037]

Thank you soooòoooo much ❤

[@tpeti2003]

Hi! I am just getting into mind mapping and I was curious if you could use these for almost every subject. For example for the biochemistry of the breakdown of amino acids. For things like shock and other pathologies I understand that you can easily use drawings to imitate stuff and etc. But in such a material heavy topic like biochem I couldnt find these relations so far. Any advice? Thanks. 😊

[@Niirvaana]

Thank u sir ❤

[@user-eg6gu4wm1h]

Promise: I will change my study habits and I will get better marks in the final exams inshallah. والخيرة فيما اختاره الله لبقية مسيرة حياتي. (راح اكون احسن) (راح انجح) (الحمد لله دائمًا وابداً على كل حال وفي كل مكان وزمان) + اني كلش مقهورة حالياً.

[@zain_asif]

Inshallah goodluck!

[@adrienmasoka171]

Thanks for the video. Would you recommend making mindmaps online

[@KrishBhawrani-nc5kw]

Great Video Zain, But just a small suggestion, try to lock your exposure in the videos, that will be much better!!!

[@azmyusama4163]

Waiting For More Videos Buddy ❤

[@khushikhandelwal4193]

Much respect 💕💕

[@zain_asif]

Appreciate that!

[@himanshujeebanjyoti5663]

thanks bro

[@way2saturn]

Finally i was waiting for this 💚

[@zain_asif]

Long time coming!

[@yogitaaggarwal2914]

Your video is cool but complex too. Request u too post pdf of what u do so we can relate Better thank u for helping thousands.

[@markusrobinson9081]

Awesome video man. The only other KZbinr that comes to mind with similar study advice is Justin Sung. He emphasizes prestudying (mapping out the most basic and general concepts as a backbone to add information) before even diving into supporting concepts and details. I’m curious, have you encountered Sung and his techniques, and if so have you borrowed some of his methods and approaches to studying? Much appreciated! (Watched to the end, thanks)

[@zain_asif]

Yep thank you and ofc all mentioned in vid :)

[@parthsarthisuri5372]

I agree but I honestly think that Zain's video provide a more detailed breakdown than Justin's videos. But either way both great channel, keep up the great work Zain you're my favorite KZbinr right now :)

[@Julia.WildNothing]

Dude this is so good!! Thank you / nurse student 🤘🏽🎈

[@zain_asif]

So glad it helped let's go

[@Julia.WildNothing]

@zain_asif What do you focus on/prioritise during lectures?

[@nadeem-cp9is]

'i know most of u didn't follow along ', i feel so called out rn 🤣, great video btw , very clear and systematic , keep up

[@zain_asif]

Glad it helped :))

[@jiyag2707]

ok I watched the video and loved the tips!! Definitely going to apply, however what if not every topic connects? like chapters such as animal kingdom and plant kingdom have different topics that arent related that much!! how will I connect them then?

[@suhanasolo740]

i have the same question

[@sparshakduttabir1075]

You can connect them based on their differences

[@zain_asif]

I think it's more useful to create different mindmaps for each big topic in your subject eg one for animal kingdom, one for cell bio, one for evolution. They have a higher utility that way when studying. Easier to start like that rather than aiming to make a mega mindmap of the entire subject and trying to find links.

[@teebs8487]

Keep it up❤❤❤

[@MariamTarek-kr6rd]

Very useful 💞

[@zain_asif]

Thank you 😊

[@josei.reyessoto3042]

how do i use this to prepare for step 1 and 2... at certain point is just overwhelming

[@jerinkjohn545]

good video👍

[@vaishalisharma1154]

👍👍👍

[@michaeladeyemi7210]

amzing

[@dasiamonet]

In currently in undergrad (last semester) and I was thinking, do you think it would be beneficial to do the skimming and jotting down words BEFORE lecture. And then doing the grouping and mind map post lecture? I know some people have said to read or skim before the lecture, and I feel like doing some of this before lecture may be helpful time wise. Instead of saving it all for post-lecture.

[@zain_asif]

I try to do it all before lectures if I have the resources and information :)

[@adeebamaqsud9769]

Assalamualaikum brother, Thankyou so much for this .

[@zain_asif]

My pleasure bro

[@bhadran04jmmc]

❤🔥

[@DrMessi2504]

Huge!

[@zain_asif]

Big upp

[@user-hd4nu8zd2q]

bravo

[@btsesports2354]

Love from ❤🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🙏🚩

[@user-fc5zc4uk4l]

salam brother i wished i had seen your video a bit earlier..i just spent 3 days on the chapter of "Sustainable development" making linear notes.. and even after 3 days I'm unable to recall most of the info.. now I'm going to start the topic of "Environmental pollution' and will try to make mind maps.. just a quick question: in this chapter there are different types of pollution, like air, water, soil and noise. And their causes, impacts and solutions.. Instead of listing endless points for each, how can I connect everything without getting too overwhelming? Any tips?

[@zain_asif]

I'd find a key idea that links the types of pollution ie. their causes or their effects. The key idea aspect is very important (it's step 3.1 in the video).

[@michaeladeyemi7210]

amazing

[@zain_asif]

Thank uu

[@KaremanAdel]

Peace be upon you from Egypt 🇪🇬 It is very useful and interesting.. Can you talk about the third year of secondary school?❤❤❤❤😊

[@zain_asif]

Thank you !! Which year would that be ;)

[@KaremanAdel]

@@zain_asif This year, I am currently in the third year of secondary school. Can you provide some advice? Sorry, my English is not good. Can I ask you? Are you a Muslim, because the name Zain is found in Muslim Egypt?

[@oliviahcaballero6008]

My issue is that I’m not able to group the keywords, it takes forever, every time it takes me 2-3 hours make a mind map and it doesn’t even end up good. For example the theme I’m studying now has the definition of biological psychology, biological causes of conduct, different levels or ways of analysing conduct and applications in the psychological field, how do you fit those together? I feel like everything is too distant

[@oliviahcaballero6008]

Btw i love your videos and am recommending them to all my friends!!🥹

[@Kyle-bv8ro]

thxxxxxxxx

[@bakeral-sheyab546]

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@zain_asif]

Thank you brother

[@azmyusama4163]

Have You Done Justin's iCS Bro?

[@harmonie_royale]

Not me first zoning out and imagining the best way to grab money in a money machine 💀💀