Educators have stressed the importance of good study skills for years but many students still seem stuck in 'passive note-taking' mode. Not only is it boring and stressful to wade through page after page of notes in late night cram sessions, it's also a very inefficient use of time.

Fortunately, the 21st Century has seen mind mapping software tools become available that allow people to quickly and enjoyably tap into how they learn best.

So how can mind mapping software help people struggling with how to pass exams? Let's look at 5 key components that fuse together the power of digital mind maps with effective study skills.

On your mind map create a main branch called 'goals' and then specific sub-branches for the exam, course, module and topic you are studying towards. What you're doing is programming your mind for success by laying out realistic reasons for learning. For example, the Exams keyword might have sub-branches for 'B.S. Physics' and your expected date of graduation. Branch text can add details such as web links to the exam syllabus.

Mind maps are magnets for filtering and simplifying information because you're actively involved in the choice of keywords, where they go on the map and what they link to elsewhere. And with a software mindmap you can vary the connections between keywords as much as you want - as well as adding branch notes and file attachment links. Just save the map under a new name and drill deeper into a topic. Alternatively, quickly link from an existing branch keyword in one map to a brand new map for a specific sub-topic. The possibilities are endless.

Your choice of keywords is a measure of how 'fluent' you are with the topic. The great thing about software mind maps is that you can continue to add to this vocabulary with both words and pictures as you learn more. (Most Mind Mapping products have image libraries and you can also add more of your own or from the Internet.)

And here's a special bonus for those interested in how to pass exams - a big part of the puzzle is getting the exam syllabus and figuring out what all the buzzwords mean and how they fit together. Those are study skills ideally suited to mind mapping!

What strikes many people after they look over their mind map creations are the hidden connections between keywords that jump out at them. This is how mind mapping helps with a key study skill - that of acquring understanding. And the beauty of a software approach is that you don't have to get it right first time. Just create a map based on your current understanding and start to ask questions. What's the connection between these branches? Would that keyword be better placed over there? Then 'drag and drop' and test your reasoning out. Understanding loves questions - and mind maps are the perfect way to ask them!

Educationalists know that we start to forget information over time unless we review it. Software-created mind maps excel at helping motivated students prepare to pass exams because you can test yourself by hiding and uncovering nested branches with a click of the mouse. Or you can export and print the map minus the branch information - and then fill in the blanks to see how much you recall.

You can also measure and display your progress on the map by using checkboxes on branch keywords. And you can assign a percentage complete to each branch and display it graphically as a small pie-chart icon. This aids in the important study skill of managing your time. And if you're really pressed you can add numerical priorities to the branch keywords, and then focus on what's most important.

Below are some links to Mind Maps that you can download and use for yourself, and you can look there under the education tag for specific ones related to education.