Chances are, you’ve likely heard of the learning styles: visual, auditory, read/write and kinesthetic. But most students use each of these methods to some degree in their revisions, making it difficult to ascertain which one is the most effective for you. Learning styles can also be task-dependent: you might be a visual learner in one subject and an auditory learner in another. If you find yourself struggling to take in information or focus on your studies, changing up your learning style can be a great way to look at the details from a different angle. So, here’s how you can take a step back and try out what the different learning styles have to offer.
Visual Learning
Do you doodle when you study? Do you find diagrams easier to remember than words? If so, visual learning might be a useful tool for you.
There are plenty of study methods that are ideal for a visual learner. One way to begin is to ensure that your study area or desk is visually appealing. Tidy this space before you begin studying, or even add a plant or candle to make this area more pleasant. When you read, you can also employ a colour-coding method with highlighters, as bright and eye-catching colours can help trigger your memory. For note-taking, try translating textual or auditory information into flow-charts and drawings.
See also: Top Tips For Taking Lecture Notes So You Don’t Feel Overwhelmed
Auditory Learning
When you read, do you mouth or speak the words aloud under your breath? Do you recall information better when you study in groups or with a partner than when you’re alone? If this is the case, an auditory learning style might best describe you.
The first step for an auditory learner is to make sure your study space has the right amount of background noise. For those who prefer silence to concentrate, a pair of noise-cancelling headphones can be perfect. You might enjoy some background noise, in which case listening to music or studying in a coffee shop could be helpful. When you are having trouble remembering a piece of information, try coming up with a mnemonic or a rhyme.
Reading/Writing Learning
Can you get lost for hours in the pages of a good book? Do you find yourself reading the lecture slides more than listening to the lecturer? Do you tend to recall information in the form of written phrases? These characteristics indicate a penchant for learning through reading and writing.
While you may enjoy reading and writing, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll find it easy to recall information from a block of text. Try paraphrasing each section or paragraph into your own words in the margins. When listening to a lecture, put on subtitles so that you can read what the lecturer is saying as they say it.
Kinesthetic Learning
Do you find yourself fidgeting or feeling restless while you study? Do you enjoy the feeling of flipping through a book or sifting through flashcards? If so, you might tend towards a kinesthetic or physical learning style.
For kinesthetic learners, incorporating movement into the learning process can be useful. Read while standing or pacing and see if you engage more with the text than when you read sitting down. Also try incorporating physical objects into your studying, whether that’s note cards, models, or print outs. Use your hands to gesture or count while you’re working through a problem.
We hope this article has helped you find your learning style as having that knowledge can make the world of difference.
See also: How To Deal With Burnout
