Study Tips for all Learning Types

What kind of learner are you? Studying is an important part of college life, but if you’re not studying in a way that fits your learning style, it may not be very effective. Everyone is different, but the way people learn falls into a few general categories.

How accurately can you pinpoint someone’s learning style?

For many years, we’ve heard that people are either visual, auditory, reading and writing, or kinesthetic learners. In fact, most people learn in a variety of different ways, but may lean into one particular style. It might be more accurate to call these learning preferences.

If each person learns in different ways, why talk about learning styles?

By considering all the different learning styles, you can figure out which ways you generally learn best. Try some techniques geared toward your learning preference, and if something doesn’t work, try something else.

So, how are these learning styles defined?

• Visual learners absorb information by visualizing ideas and relationships. They may do well by looking at maps, charts, diagrams, and things written on a whiteboard.
• Auditory (or aural) learners learn by listening. They prefer to hear information instead of reading or seeing it. They may speak and read slowly or repeat things they hear out loud.
• Reading and Writing learners take in information by reading. They process it by condensing and rephrasing it. Traditional textbooks and note-taking tend to work well for them.
• Kinesthetic learners are hands-on learners. They learn by doing and absorb things best through activities.

What does this mean for your study habits?

• If you learn things visually, try taking notes, writing outlines of your materials, and using highlighters.
• If you’re an aural learner, record lectures, talk things through out loud, writing them down as you say them, and use word association, songs, and rhymes to remember information.
• If you’re a kinesthetic learner, try listening to material while walking, or engage your fingers in your study by tracing words or re-writing sentences. Flow charts can also be beneficial for kinesthetic learners.

Certain things can be helpful no matter what kind of learner you are.

Since the physical act of writing engages more areas of the brain and helps with memory creation, taking notes by hand helps people retain information better than notetaking on a computer. Using your spare time to review information can help you remember things better. And rewarding yourself after study sessions can help you stay motivated.

At ASA College, we want to help our students succeed. That’s why we provide a robust system of student support services, including free tutoring, face-to-face and online, if needed. Our mission is to prepare our diverse student population for the challenges of today’s competitive job market. We offer high-quality degree and certificate programs that respond to the needs of students and employers in a global economy, and we do it in a student-centered environment. Call us at 866-515-7188 or contact us for more information.