Set up your own powerful master tool for your study

Set up your own powerful master tool for your study

The most powerful tool in my knowledge system is Content Database Mapping (CDB). It’s the combination of content mapping and database system discussed in previous article and is very useful in Science and Maths related subjects.

Previously, we learned that content mapping is useful to build an overview map for us to navigate through a study subject. It’s a good strategy to study extra for important exam oriented topics, fix weak areas, and cover everything in a subject to do well in exam. That’s where content mapping kicks in to save the day. With it, we can know the areas that we are well prepared, weak in, and important for exam (tick, cross, star). It’s the master map to win the exam war.

Then we learned about database system, where we arrange important elements into lists. Separate lists are made for formulas, vocabulary, graphs, tables, diagrams, drawings, glossary, important examples, and many more. This system enables us to retrieve important information very quickly when we need it and is convenient for us to memorize important items. It’s the friendly study tool kit you carry with.

What if we slot database system into content mapping? Not only the database elements are arranged nicely based on the content structure of your subject, it also makes your content mapping more useful and more understandable with extra information. That’s why we create the study master tool to blend both systems into one – Content Database Mapping (CDM).

This is how I create my CDM. First, I get an A4 writing paper and write down the subject and chapter titles. Then I divide the page into left and right halves with a pencil. The left side is where I write the subtitles and important points, similar to content mapping. The right side is where I write important formulas corresponding to the subtitle or important points. You see, by doing so, I manage to relate important elements in database to specific content structure of my study subject. When I do exercise on Thermodynamics, I just take out my CDM and look for the subtitle heat transfer and the related formula is right there for me to apply. That’s pretty convenient.

I also add other important database elements such as graphs, tables, diagrams etc. to the left side of my CDM right under the subtitle or important point. The right side is mainly formulas and math expressions because they are the most important elements for me to apply in exam.

Depends on your subjects, you might want to add other elements to the right side, such as glossary, list of items, diagrams, or instruction, as long as they correspond to the content on the left side. That’s like the “balance of yin and yang” where important information is slotted nicely to the appropriate place.

There’s a similar alternative to CDM where elements are placed nicely to the content structure. It’s the famous Mind Mapping by Tony Buzan, where we create colourful organic looking mappings of the content and add elements to the content structure via branches.

For me, I have tried both systems and I prefer to use CDM. It’s tidier, more professional looking, and I don’t have to draw branches to map the knowledge structure. CDM is also more “universal” where I can distribute it to my friends without tailoring it to suit individual taste. If you like, you can add some colourful or organic elements of Mind Mapping to CDM to improve it.

I’m not saying that CDM is superior to Mind Mapping. It’s a matter of preference. Try both methods and pick the one that suits your study style. The study system should suit you, not the other way round.

Here’s an example of CDM I used during my study years. I added comments on it to clarify some stuffs. Click to enlarge it. I hope you will like this knowledge system.
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