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Turn class notes into a concept map for students

Upload a PDF, DOCX, slides, or photos of notes and get an editable mind map you can explore branch by branch.

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How a concept map helps students remember more

A concept map for students works best when it shows how ideas connect, not just a list of terms. Seeing a topic as linked parts makes it easier to recall the relationships that exam questions often ask about.

  • Shows relationships between ideas instead of isolated facts
  • Easy to edit as your understanding of the topic grows
  • Helps you spot gaps when a branch has few sub-points
  • Works well alongside flashcards and practice quizzes
Example biology concept map branches for students
Light-dependent reactionsOccur in thylakoid membranes · Split water and release oxygen · Produce ATP and NADPH
Calvin cycleTakes place in the stroma · Fixes carbon dioxide into sugar · Uses ATP and NADPH from the light reactions
MitosisProphase: chromosomes condense · Metaphase: chromosomes line up at the center · Anaphase: sister chromatids separate · Telophase: nuclei re-form
Cell membranePhospholipid bilayer · Embedded proteins · Cholesterol helps control fluidity · Selectively permeable
Cellular respirationGlycolysis in the cytoplasm · Krebs cycle in the mitochondrial matrix · Electron transport chain in the inner membrane
Generate the full set

Starts from your material

Upload PDFs, Word files, slides, plain notes, or photos of pages, and the main ideas are pulled into a map.

Editable branches

Rename, move, or delete any node so the map matches how your course organizes the topic.

Explore at your pace

Expand or collapse branches to focus on one idea at a time instead of scrolling through a long outline.

How it works

Add your notes

Upload a file or paste text from your lecture or reading.

Review the map

Check the central topic and main branches, then adjust any labels that feel off.

Study branch by branch

Open each branch, quiz yourself on its sub-points, and turn key terms into flashcards.

Start with one central idea, then add the main concepts that support it. Linking each sub-point to its branch shows cause, category, and sequence, which is the structure most courses test.

Maps are also easy to revise. Come back to the same map before an exam and fill in any branch you cannot explain from memory.

Explore related topics

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a concept map for studying biology?

Start with the central topic, such as photosynthesis, then add a main branch for each major stage or idea. Link short sub-points to the branch they support, and keep labels brief enough to recall without looking.

How many branches should a concept map have?

Most topics work well with 4 to 7 main branches, each with 2 to 4 sub-points. If a branch keeps growing, split it into its own map so it stays readable.

Can I export my mind map?

Exports such as PDF and DOCX are part of the Plus plan, which costs $39/year or $7.99/month. The free plan lets you study maps in the browser.

Do I need a credit card to start?

No. You can begin on the free plan with 3 generations per month, and students get 40% off with a school email.

Generate free mind maps

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.