How to Study More Effectively: Identifying Your Learning Style
Nowadays, many students invest a significant portion of their time studying, yet they often do not see a noticeable improvement. The reason for this is not because of how much they study, but how they study.
What Are Learning Styles?
Learning styles refer to the preferred ways students study and process information for retention. Though there are distinct types of learning styles, students can still benefit from multiple approaches, with one style being dominant. By identifying these preferences, students can then align them with their study strategies to help them retain information in better ways.
To identify a student’s learning style, here are the characteristics of the 4 main learning styles:
Visual Learners
Visual learners are students who learn most effectively using visual representations. These types of students often have a strong comprehension of diagrams and charts, and have good visual observations of things around them. On the other hand, they may find it difficult to use verbal instructions and are easily distracted during verbal activities.
Here are some recommended study strategies for visual learners:
Use diagrams, flowcharts, and color-coded notes
Incorporate visual summaries (such as mind maps)
Supplement learning with videos
Auditory Learners
Auditory learners are those who learn best through listening and verbal explanation. These types are very likely to talk to themselves while reviewing, memorize sequentially, and enjoy listening to music while studying. On the contrary, however, they are often easily distracted and have difficulty comprehending written instructions.
Here are some recommended study strategies for auditory learners:
Read notes aloud or explain concepts verbally
Record explanations and review them
Participate in discussions or study sessions with others
Reading/Writing Learners
This type of learning style represents those who prefer text-based learning and written expression over other study media. Some common characteristics for this type of student include being good at memorizing words and being comfortable with textbooks, articles, or note-taking. Apart from that, though, these types are often easily distracted by sounds while studying; thus, listening to music while studying is not advised.
Here are some recommended study strategies for reading/writing learners:
Rewrite notes using your own words
Create written summaries and flashcards
Practice explaining concepts in writing
Kinesthetic Learners
This last type of learning style, kinesthetic learners, represents those who learn best through hands-on experiences and physical engagement. These types of students usually prefer to solve problems by manually working through them (for example, calculating using one’s hands), and often tap their pencil or foot when studying. On the other hand, they often have short attention spans; hence, studying for long periods may be ineffective.
Here are recommended study strategies for kinesthetic learners:
Divide long study hours into short sessions. Say, put on a timer for 20 minutes, then take a break before continuing to study (reward yourself with a cookie, go for a little walk, or listen to one song, etc.)
Incorporate movement during studying
Use real-world examples and simulations while studying, instead of purely memorizing the theories
How Can You Identify Your Learning Style?
After reflecting on previous learning experiences, students can observe which learning style characteristics represent them the most. Afterwards, they can then experiment with the different study strategies of the learning style.
Why Learning Styles Matter For Effective Studying
By applying the correct study strategies, students can then retain information better and study more efficiently. This way, you won’t waste your countless hours of studying, and can actually improve.
