How to Cater to Your Personal Learning Type
With the new school year quicklyapproaching (or perhaps, for your early-starters, already under way), it’s timeto get ready for a successful semester. And while you may be revamping yourwardrobe for fall, it’s equally important to freshen up your study skills, too.
Have you ever noticed that your studyhabits are different than those of your friends? Or how you seem to learnfaster in certain classes? Some people are quick to blame the professor orsubject for their difficulties, but that isn’t always the cause. One thing thatmany people seem to overlook is their learning type.
The 3 Main Learning Types
Now, you may be wondering what a learningtype is and how to find yours. There are three different learning types:Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic. You can be a combination of learning types,but most people have one type that dominates.
Visual learners learn best by seeing. Ifyou seem to easily retain information from pictures, graphs, and videos, youare likely a visual learner.
Auditory learners learn best by hearing. Ifyou seem to remember things by hearing them, whether listening to a lecture orrepeating information out loud, then you are likely an auditory learner.
Kinesthetic learners learn best by doing.If you seem to learn best by working with your hands or testing out what youare shown, you are likely a kinesthetic learner.
So now that you know your personal learningstyle, the trick is to find out how to use your new-found knowledge to help youin your classes.
Tips for Visual Learners
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Pay attention! For visual learners, this isvery important (and always respectful). If your professor uses a PowerPoint,observe the pictures they might include and their significance.
Take notes by drawing graphs and connectingideas instead of just copying down a list. This way, your brain will easilyconnect the different concepts. You can even draw pictures if you find thatworks better for you.
Color code your notes and/or your notecards. This will aid your brain in keeping all of the information separate. Youcan code by chapter, type of information, or any way that helps you.
Download the notes or presentations if yourprofessor makes them available. This way, you can go back over them before anexam and quickly re-read to retain the info.
Tips for Auditory Learners
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Again, pay attention! I can’t stress thisenough. If you aren’t listening while the lecture is happening, then as anauditory learner, you’re missing out on the easiest way for you to learnwithout having to make up for it later on.
If you think it would help and you obtainpermission from the professor, you can record the lecture for future listening.
If you find that taking notes distracts youfrom listening, ask a friend if you can borrow their notes ORdirectly after thelecture, write down everything you remember.
Tips for Kinesthetic Learners
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Guess what the first point is once again?You’ve got it, pay attention! For kinesthetic learners, it’s extremelyimportant that you take notes either by writing or typing, in order to activelyengage with information as you receive it.
Rewrite notes and reread information. Ifpossible, translate the information into examples. This is something that canhelp kinesthetic learners retain what they need to know.
Visualize! One method that can helpkinesthetic learners is to visualize yourself picking up information and puttingit into a category. This may sound silly, but in this way you’re “doing”something without actually physically doing it.
Take advantage of labs and other classactivities. These moments are when you’re at your prime for learning.Concentrate on what you’re learning from the experience and pay close attentionto the process that you go through.
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