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During a typical study session, I keep Safari open on the left quarter of my iPad screen and LiquidText on the right. I like having Safari handy to check spellings, look up definitions, and find images since I’m a visual learner. Concepts become much clearer when I can see a diagram while learning, so I often spend a lot of time searching for the right images. When I can’t find exactly what I need, I sometimes try drawing my own diagrams.
LiquidText is an excellent mind-mapping tool. It allows me to select sections from my PDF, and the app tracks these changes on the left side of the screen. I can then drag these sections onto my canvas, and they stay linked to the original source (my PDF). I love that these extractions remain connected to their source, making it easy to return to the textbook when I need to verify something. This feature is incredibly useful when I don’t fully understand something because a single tap takes me back to the exact location in the textbook. It saves me a lot of time that would otherwise be spent navigating through the PDF searching for specific information. This feature is essential for all my studies, including Bible study, as it allows me to quickly reference the course material whenever needed.
I primarily use mind maps for studying because they help me connect different pieces of information, allowing me to see how everything fits together. LiquidText serves as a perfect rough notebook when I don’t have time to create tidy notes. I’ve stopped using GoodNotes as my main PDF reader because my study patterns change with each subject, depending on my professors’ teaching styles and the amount of information I need to learn. I’m constantly switching apps to find the best workflow.
The handwriting experience in LiquidText is fantastic—one of the best you can get on an iPad. It feels natural, and the pen tools are fluid and responsive. It’s crucial for me to handwrite notes on the canvas in LiquidText around my extractions. The rough mind maps I create in the app are great for brainstorming new ideas and concepts. While there are other mind mapping apps out there, if I can’t link my notes back to my textbooks, they don’t serve much purpose for me. I prefer LiquidText because it makes it easy to combine PDF extractions with my handwritten notes, and I’m always switching between the two. Most mind mapping apps I’ve found have poor handwriting experiences and limited tools and options.
During this study break, I decided to trace some diagrams in Procreate. This setup has been life-changing for me since I’m not naturally skilled at drawing. I’m amazed at how easy it is to create beautiful diagrams for my notes. Since going paperless, my drawing skills have improved, which is great for a visual learner like me. I love that I can modify the diagrams to use my preferred colors and even remove elements I don’t need.
