What works for one student might not work for another student, but have you ever wondered why? It’s because of learning styles! Each student has a learning style that works best for them. This article will help you figure out what your learning style is, and how you can adjust your study methods accordingly.
What are learning styles?
Learning styles are the different ways and methods students use to best process and remember new information. These are usually split into three main categories:
- visual learners – students prefer to see information
- auditory learners – students prefer to hear information
- kinesthetic (tactile) learners – students prefer hands-on interaction with information
While finding your learning style may not seem super important, it is – finding out what study methods work best for you can significantly boost your productivity!
Figure out your learning style
To figure out your learning style, do some introspection. Ask yourself what study methods you enjoy and use most effectively. Then, try to figure out whether they all belong in a certain category. If that doesn’t work, then experiment with different study methods until you work out which learning style suits you. Also, remember that everyone is unique: you’ll probably have a mix of learning styles that work best for you. If that’s the case, choose study methods from both the styles!
Visual learners
Visual learners prefer to see or observe information in order to process it best. Study methods for visual learners include:
- drawing diagrams
- colour-coding
- making mindmaps
- watching videos
- making flow charts
- creating charts to organise information
Auditory learners
Auditory learners need to hear information to process it best. Study methods for auditory learners include:
- group discussions
- listening to podcasts
- recording lectures
- listening to videos
- reading things out loud
- talking to a study buddy
- listening to verbal explanations
Kinesthetic (tactile) learners
Kinesthetic (tactile) learners benefit from experiencing what they’re learning. If you’re a kinesthetic learner, it can be difficult for you to find study methods you enjoy, since most traditional techniques tend to be geared towards visual and auditory learners. Study methods for kinesthetic learners include:
- doing experiments
- building models
- teaching others
- acting out / role-playing events
- moving during study breaks
