08 Mar Mind Mapping Tips for Teen Students
Brooklyn Letters
1139 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn
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We would highly recommend Ally! Our son always asks about her, so very thankful to Brooklyn Letters for introducing us.
~ Emily, mom of Brooklyn 2 year old -
Nicole has been an amazing therapist!! She played a tremendous role in our daughter’s speech progress and overall development. She has come such a long way and we are so happy with the therapy she received!
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I cannot express how grateful and rewarding my experience with Brooklyn Letters has been. Her tutor Ms. Daria is so knowledgeable, amazing, kind and awesome. My daughter has made so much progress in Literacy and Math and it's all … More thanks to Ms. Daria. I know my daughter is sad that she can no longer work with Ms. Daria, as she looked forward to their sessions every week. Thank you again!
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Excellent services, caring therapists.
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Christina was absolutely wonderful. She went out of her way to win my son over and it worked. He looked forward to her visits and his speech improved so much under her care. She was super flexible and it’s clear she truly cares. We adore … More Christina and we’re going to miss her. Almost sad he improved so much! She’s simply amazing and we can’t say enough how great she is. I would recommend her services to anyone and everyone, without hesitation. Thank you so much for connecting us with her!
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We could not be happier with the services Valerie provided! She is very thoughtful and knowledgeable and provided significant guidance to support our daughter's speech development outside of our scheduled sessions. She established … More a great working relationship with her, and she will definitely be missed! Your business model is amazing and it was an absolute pleasure working with Valerie. I've referred your organization and Valerie to the Executive Director of our daughter's school and friends/colleagues who are in need of speech therapy services.
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We cannot say enough good things about Effie, the ASL teacher, who was so engaged and effective with our 2 year old daughter from the very first session! Effie gladly included our whole family in the sessions! Her expertise and fantastic … More personality gave our daughter a way to communicate that she was so desperately seeking. The coordinators at Brooklyn Letters were so helpful and communicative…I would highly recommend their services!
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The company is great with outstanding customer service. They keep my horses protected. I have recommended them to other horses trainers as well that are going to get service early next year. Very professional an honest too. Respectfully … More submitted Christopher
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Ron and Ken did a fantastic job with our security system today. Installed everything very quick. Both of them were very polite and asked us throughout if the installation met our needs. Simply fantastic!
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I called Cornerstone Protection to get a Security system at a relatives out of state property, within a week it was installed! The installers worked with the client to help understand her new system and she was happy! Our relative said … More they were courteous, professional and patient! I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection for all of your security needs!
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Had blink cameras; Car was broken into multiple times so I called CornerStone & they were able to install multiple cameras very quickly & for a reasonable price. I am so happy with the app & getting alerts that are not superfluous, … More like they were with Blink. Highly recommend CornerStone & the tech Ronnie.
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Ron and Ken are great guys to work with.
Both were very knowledgeable and got our system back up and running.
Thanks to both for a job well done... -
Samantha Dalmas was fantastic! We saw her for a feeding therapy evaluation and while she doesn’t think my daughter needs more feeding therapy sessions at this time, but she gave me lots of tips to try. If my daughter's doctors want … More to see more progress at her next appointment, I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha again.
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Amazing assistance provided by Shannon today on my security system. I’m so grateful for your prompt, efficient, professional, and courteous service. Put me down as a customer for life!
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One of the most painless experiences I've had. They came on time and was over the moon professional with still keeping a level of personability to it. The gentleman also went out of his way to say that my husband and Mines business … More was appreciated. Which is actually rare to be appreciated by such a great company. So thank you and we look forward to continuing services with this company.
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I am so happy we decided to go with cornerstone. They were quick and efficient. Shannon and the installer we very friendly. We got a lot of equipment and it was still within our budget. 10/10 would definitely recommend! Thank you
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Love the customer service and Shanon and his team go above and beyond for my restaurant. Couldn't of asked for a better security system and level of service that his team provides.
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I have been using Cornerstone Protection service for over 5 years and I'm really happy with the service and state-of-the-art equipments and it's futures are so much in advance and friendly, I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection … More Service any and all business that need a security protection days and nights specially after business hours(Cornerstone Protection is perfect solution for your business). Owner of Cornerstone Protection is proactive with their customers and their equipments. Good experienced with Cornerstone Protection!!!
Kanu Patel -
We had a very positive experience with Alissa as a tutor for our pod of 5th grade boys from January - June 2020. She cared a lot about the boys and worked hard to create meaningful activities for them. The pod experience was invaluable … More for all of our families during a difficult year and we were so grateful to have found this partnership! We also want to appreciate Craig for helping to match us with a tutor on very short notice after we had cycled through a few folks who were not able to see the commitment through. Thanks for sticking with us!
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Dusty was the exact person we needed to help our child finish out the school year. So grateful to him for the way he steadily encouraged her and helped her stay on track and organized. He is flexible, responsive to our needs/schedule as … More a family, and a delight to be with. We are also thankful that Craig at Themba Tutors really "gets it" and partnered us with such a wonderful tutor who was a great fit for our girl.
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My child worked with Gillian D virtually for math enrichment. She is an excellent teacher. She took time to understand my child's specific learning style and provided tools that would be engaging. She was kind and empathetic- really … More made it her goal to connect with my child and build trust and rapport. My child started the school year with confidence and without the typically "brain-drain" that occurs over the summer, thanks to Gillian.
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I am going into my second year as a Themba tutor. I have met so many great individuals while working for this company. Craig and the rest of the Themba team do such an excellent job picking and choosing Themba tutors that suit each client's … More individual needs! I look forward to meeting new tutors and clients in the 2021-2022 school year!
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Our son started in a new high school, 100% remote, and was really struggling with Latin and Physics. I found Themba Tudors online and had an initial call with Craig, who was very knowledgeable, responsive, and found 2 amazing tutors for … More us. Both the Latin and the physics tutors were fantastic, connected with my son really well and helped him go from 'failing' grade to 'honors'! I will for sure continue using (and recommending!) Themba Tutors. Thank you, C, K, and W!
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Brian is a fantastic executive functioning coach. Super helpful, flexible with hours, and tailored the experience to our needs.
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Giulia Mercuri is a great Italian tutor! She was very responsive and accessible. Giulia put a ton of effort into preparing for each session and really helped our son with test preparation and projects. We are grateful that she was able … More to help, especially since our son did not receive any live teaching during COVID. We are happy that she was referred to us!
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As an adult student diagnosed with a learning disability during grad school, I knew I needed help dealing with my Master's program's demanding workload. I was seriously considering dropping out when I was referred to Themba Tutors. … More I was paired up with a wonderful tutor, Julie, who was a total lifesaver. I learned many techniques that I can utilize in the future as I embark on the next phase of my career.
I can wholeheartedly say after working with Themba for two years that I would not have finished my program without this organization. And I am so thankful I selected them. -
We were introduced to a wonderful tutor: Mcedwyn. He and our son, a freshman in college, worked well together. As a result, our son’s grades significantly improved. The tutor taught our son subject content and various methods to effectively … More study for quizzes and exams. Our son was also taught time management and organization. My son’s experience with the tutor made the first year of college a less intimidating experience.
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We have been with our tutor, Cailin Schiller, for two years, from 5th - 7th grade. She started as an executive functioning tutor with my daughter. From the start, she demonstrated a depth of expertise and a selective use of techniques skillfully … More adapted to my daughter’s ADHD and Math disability. Cailin made Math accessible and understandable to her in a way that even her teachers had not been able to do. She differentiated reading, writing and math tasks and assignments to tailor them to my daughter’s unique learning differences. Not only did it have an effect on her grades and her work efficiency, but she finally could do her work with less anxiety. Even my daughter’s teachers used Cailin’s guidance to modify their work with her. But most importantly, she became my daughter’s favorite resource. I can’t say how invaluable Cailin has been to my daughter’s progress and well-being. I’d recommend her a million times over. She is a gem.
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Victoria is a superb tutor. She helped my high school age daughter with her writing. Victoria's skills as a tutor, as well as her sense of humor and her engaging personality went a long way with my daughter.
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Themba Tutors provided a leaning specialist that was a perfect fit for my daughter. I told them what we were looking for and they delivered. Our tutor is responsive and flexible and makes it easy for my daughter to reach out to her own … More her own, which gives her an added sense of responsibility over her learning. As a therapist myself, I now regularly recommend Themba to my patients. A much needed and well provided service to the community!!
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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I'm so glad we were referred to Themba Tutors. After a great initial conversation to learn our needs, we were connected with an excellent tutor, Felicia, who is helping our high school daughter learn better organizational and executive … More skills. Highly recommended.
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We had a wonderful experience with our tutor Micaela. She helped our son not only academically but at every level. We will be forever grateful to have her in our lives.
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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Paul Smith at Themba has been an exceptional tutor for my son, both in terms of teaching the subject matter and teaching how best to approach the process of learning math and executing assignments. We feel very fortunate to be working with … More Paul.
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We were very lucky to have found Edwouine Swift, my son's therapist through Themba Tutors. Thomas is 12 years old, and it is extremely difficult to get him to write. Edwouine just works her magic with him, he adores her and is so … More eager to follow her guidance. I have no doubt she will be a positive driving force in his academic future.
TEEN MIND MAPPING 101:
Visualize Your Path to Success
You’re a teenager with a million thoughts racing through your brain daily. What classes to take, who to hang out with, what you want to be when you grow up. It’s a lot to juggle. But what if there was a simple way to dump all those thoughts out of your head and onto paper so you could see them laid out right in front of you? Mind mapping is that secret weapon to help you visualize your ideas and make better decisions. In just a few simple steps, you can create maps to plan for big tests, sort through social drama, and unlock what you’re passionate about pursuing. Whether it’s picking colleges or careers, mind mapping gives you an at-a-glance view so you can stress less and succeed more. Let’s dive in!
What Is Mind Mapping?
Mind mapping is a visual technique for organizing your thoughts and ideas. It helps you think and learn more effectively. Mind maps are diagrams that start with a central topic and branch out to related topics and ideas.
▶ The center of the mind map contains your main topic or idea. From there, branches extend to related subtopics, and more branches extend from these subtopics.
▶ This allows you to see the overall structure and relationships between concepts. Mind maps utilize images, colors, and symbols to bring your ideas to life in an engaging, memorable way.
How Do You Create a Mind Map?
It’s easy to get started with mind mapping. You only need a pen and paper, or you can use free mind-mapping software like Coggle, Bubbl.us, or MindMeister.
▶ Start with a blank page. Place your main topic or idea in the center of the page. Circle it or draw an image to represent the idea.
▶ Add subtopics. Draw lines branching off the center and label each line with a subtopic. Use images or symbols if desired. Leave space on each branch for more subtopics and details.
▶ Add more levels. Extend branches from the subtopics to add related ideas and concepts. Include examples and make connections between topics.
▶ Use visuals. Incorporate colored pens or pencils, images, doodles, and symbols to give your mind map more meaning. Visuals make mind maps memorable and help capture ideas.
▶ Review and revise. Review your mind map once you’ve added all your related topics and ideas. Make any revisions needed to clarify relationships or reorganize concepts. Your mind map can continue to evolve as you explore the topic further!
Mind mapping takes some practice, but it’s a useful skill that can benefit you for years. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to understand and remember information when you visualize it in a mind map.
Why Teens Should Use Mind Maps
Mind mapping is a useful learning tool for teens. As a student, your mind is filled with ideas, thoughts, and information that can often feel cluttered and overwhelming. Mind mapping helps organize your brain and visually represents concepts and how they relate. Here are a few reasons why mind mapping is especially beneficial for teens:
▶ Improves memory. The visual nature of mind maps activates both sides of your brain, helping to strengthen neural pathways that aid memory and recall. When you need to study for a test, mind mapping the material will make it more effective in your memory than just reading notes or textbooks.
▶ Sparks new ideas. Mind mapping encourages creative thinking by revealing new connections between concepts and topics. As you map out thoughts, your mind generates new ideas, solutions, and insights. This kind of divergent thinking is a useful skill that will benefit you well beyond your school years.
▶ Connects topics. You learn about many isolated issues, facts, and events in school. Mind mapping helps identify relationships between these topics, weaving them into an integrated whole. Understanding how topics relate leads to deeper learning and comprehension.
▶ Improves focus. The act of mind mapping requires focused thinking. As you work on a mind map, your mind will become absorbed in exploring connections, finding the right layout, and generating new ideas. This focused state of mind can benefit other areas of your life, like studying, completing homework assignments, and working on long-term projects.
Mind mapping is a skill that will serve you well as a student and beyond. Once you use this tool in your learning and life, you’ll wonder how you got along without it. Give mind mapping a try—you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Mind Mapping Tips for Teen Students
As a teen, the responsibilities of school, activities, jobs, and life in general can sometimes feel overwhelming. Mind mapping is a visual technique that can help you organize your thoughts, see connections between ideas, and prioritize what’s important. Here are some tips to get the most out of mind mapping as a teen student:
Start with a Central Theme
Write the main topic or subject you want to explore at the center of your mind map. This could be a challenging class subject, an extracurricular activity, or a goal you want to achieve. The central theme is the foundation from which your key ideas will branch out.
Use Images and Color
Adding visuals like small pictures, icons, and color to your mind map will make it more engaging and help cement the ideas in your memory. You can draw simple doodles, print images, or use a mind-mapping tool. Color is also useful for categorization or highlighting important topics.
Keep it Brief
As a teen with a busy schedule, you want to be as concise as possible. Use just a few words for each idea rather than full sentences. Keep your mind map clear and avoid cluttering it with too much detail. You can always expand on key concepts in a separate mind map or outline.
Develop Branching Relationships
The power of mind mapping lies in the connections between ideas. As you add key thoughts, draw branches connecting related ideas. This helps you see how concepts are linked together in a visual map. Look for ways to join different branches as well. The more connections you make, your mind map will be more useful.
Leave Space to Grow
Mind mapping is an organic process. Leave plenty of blank space in your mind map to add new ideas and connections as they come to you. You may gain new insights into your central theme, leading to new branches. Extra space allows your mind map to become a living, breathing tool for gaining clarity and new perspectives.
Mind mapping can be an extremely useful skill for teens to develop. With regular practice, you’ll be able to tap into your brain’s ability to think visually and forge meaningful connections between the ideas that shape your life. Give it a try—you have nothing to lose and a new way of learning and problem-solving to gain.
Mind Mapping Tools and Templates
Mind mapping is a useful technique for visualizing your thoughts and goals. The good news is that you don’t need fancy software to start—you can begin with pen and paper. However, when you’re ready to take it digital, many free mind-mapping tools and templates are available.
▶ Pen and paper: You only need a large sheet of paper, pens or pencils, and your imagination. Draw a circle in the center of the page and write your main topic or goal inside. Then, draw branches extending from the center to represent subtopics and ideas. Connect related concepts with lines. Get creative by using different colors and adding images. Take a photo of your finished mind map to refer to later.
▶ Coggle: This free online mind-mapping tool has a simple, intuitive interface. Just sign up for an account, and you can start adding topics, subtopics, notes, and images. Coggle offers templates to get you started and the ability to collaborate with others. You can also export your mind maps as images or share them via a link. Coggle is great for both school projects and personal use.
▶ MindMup: Another popular free option is MindMup. It has a minimal design and useful features like notes, attachments, and task lists. You can start from scratch or choose from many mind map templates. MindMup integrates with Google Drive to save and access your mind maps anywhere. The paid version adds more templates, themes, and collaboration options. MindMup works on all major browsers and platforms.
▶ Mind Mapping Templates: Once you choose a digital mind mapping tool, search for templates to provide inspiration or structure for your mind map. You’ll find templates for goal setting, brainstorming, project planning, and essay outlines. Customize the templates by adding or deleting branches and topics to suit your needs. Using a template can save time and spark new ideas.
With some experimentation, you’ll discover which mind-mapping techniques and tools work best for your learning and productivity style. The key is to start simply by writing down your thoughts and then organizing and connecting them visually. Mind mapping can help unlock creativity and gain a new perspective on any goal or topic.
Mind Mapping Examples for Teens
Mind mapping is a visual technique that helps organize your thoughts and see the big picture. As a teen, mind mapping can be an extremely useful tool for planning, studying, brainstorming ideas, or setting goals. Here are a few ways you can use mind mapping:
▶ Study notes. Create a mind map with your notes, summarizing key ideas and concepts. Add images, colors, and stickers to make it visually engaging. This overview will help reinforce your learning and make studying more fun.
▶ Brainstorming. Start with a mind map if you have an essay to write or a project to plan. Put your topic or subject in the center and add related ideas, thoughts, or questions that come to mind. Look for connections between ideas, and you’ll soon have a wealth of inspiration.
▶ Goal setting. What are your hopes and dreams for the school year or summer break? Make a mind map with “Goals” in the middle and branch out with specific and measurable goals like school, hobbies, friends, and personal growth. Review your mind map regularly to stay on track.
▶ Presentation planning. If you have a school presentation to organize, create a mind map to outline your key messages and flow of ideas. A visual layout will make the presentation easier to remember and help it flow logically. You can even refer to your mind map during the actual presentation.
The key to effective mind mapping is to start with a central idea and let your thoughts flow spontaneously using keywords, colors, and images. Don’t censor yourself or limit the number of branches. The more connections you can make, the more your mind map will be more useful. With regular practice, mind mapping can become an intuitive way of organizing your thoughts, leveraging your brain’s natural ability to think visually. Give mind mapping a try—you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Conclusion
Mind mapping can be a game-changer if you take the time to try it out. Start small by mind-mapping your ideal weekend or a short-term goal. Once you get the hang of it, use this technique to map out longer-term plans like paths to career success or college choices. Keep an open mind, get creative with colors and drawings if you’d like, and see where this visual approach takes you! Who knows, you may uncover connections and possibilities you never considered before. I wish you clarity, focus, and achievement as you continue your journey!
Craig Selinger
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