It’s my second semester in college and I have learned a lot about my study habits. Some may find it easier to classify their learning style into three categories. For me, I’ve always identified with the Visual Learners, which represents about 40% of learners out there. I’m going to identify the other two common types of learners; hopefully this can be a factor in helping you improve your academic performance. However, do not feel pressured to have to be absolutely defined by a single category because there are a lot of people that relate themselves to two or more, or even all three of them!
Let’s start off with Visual Learners. Usually, they [are, can, have]:
– Remember what was read or seen
– Don’t retain what they hear for very long.
– May think in pictures or may think in words.
– Information may not exist for them if it is not seen or written down.
– Like written reports better than verbal ones.
– Remember faces, but not names.
– Vivid imaginations.
– Use color.
– May be avid readers.
– Will be unhappy with a presentation if they are unable to take detailed notes.
– Sensitive to the ways things look or appear.
– In the habit of making lists for everything.
Study Tips for Visual Learners are:
- Take notes while listening to lectures.
- Use color-coded highlighting
- Review any photographs and diagrams that demonstrate key points.
- Write out explanations.
- Make and use flashcards for studying.
- Use illustrations to remember content.
- ORGANIZE YOUR MATERIAL. The more you organize your notes and study material, the easier it will be for you to remember content.
Next are Kinesthetic Learners. Usually, they [are, can, have]:
– Are 30% of learners
– Remember what was done, not what was seen or talked about
– Don’t hear things well.
– Touch and movement are important.
– Learn my imitation and practice.
– Love games.
– May unconsciously touch people a lot.
– May be athletic, likes swimming, cooking, running, eating, sailing, dancing, working out.
Study Tips for Kinesthetic Learners are:
- Do your work while moving around (i.e. practice that memorization for a Spanish test while walking around your room)
- Sit near the front of the classroom and take notes. This will help keep you focused.
- Write lists repeatedly.
- Use rhythm to memorize or explain information.
- Use gestures when giving explanations.
- Use role-playing with a study partner.
- Use hands on experience when possible.
Hello Auditory Learners! Can you hear me?! (:
– Usually, they [are, can, have]:
– Are 30% of learners.
– Remember what they hear.
– Talk while they write.
– Remember names, but forgets faces.
– Need phonics.
– Information written down will have little meaning until it has also been heard.
Study Tips for Auditory Learners are:
- Explain the material you are trying to learn to a study partner.
- Read explanations out loud. Be sure to go over all important facts out loud.
- Make up songs to go along with what you’re trying to learn. The crazier the better! It’s more fun that way!
- Make up and repeat rhymes to remember facts, dates, name, etc.
- Join or create a study group, or get a study partner.
- Use mnemonics and word links.
- State the problem out loud and reason through solutions out loud too.
As I was growing up, I remember being envious of my classmates that were always able to learn something in a quick second or study for a test the night before and pass with flying colors. Over time I came to realize that they learned differently than I did and all I had to do was accommodate to my learning needs. So please, read this and see if it can help you too! Writing that essay or studying for that test does not have to be dreadful if you can do it effectively and in a way that can help you the most. You will reap the benefits in the end. It’s not to say that I have perfected my study habits either, but I am getting there. Good luck!!
Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/