What’s Your Style?

In order to have good study skills and do well on a test, there is a major detail that you must know about yourself in hopes of achieving your goals!  About halfway through this course, there was a presentation about knowing what type of learners we were, given by Anne F. Farrell.  I really enjoyed this presentation because it allowed me to understand myself a little bit better as a learner. 

There are three types of learners: visual, which means you learn best by viewing or sight, auditory, basically that you are more likely to listen to the speaker, or finally kinesthetic, which means that you learn best by actually doing what you’re learning by a more hands on approach. 

During the presentation the speaker gave the class a website to go to in order to see what type of learners we were: http://www.jobsetc.ca/toolbox/quizzes/styles_results.do?lang=e.  To my surprise, after taking the test offered, I found that I was a kinesthetic learner after all this time of believing myself to be a visual learner.  My test results showed up, “Hearing Learning Style = 50%, Visual Learning Style = 56%, and Kinesthetic Learning Style = 94%”.  Taking this three minute survey can actually help you in the long run.  Although you can use all three styles of learning to the best of your advantage, knowing what kind of learner you are can make things like studying and in class time much easier for you.  Most of the time, students that are strong in all areas are more likely to do better on tests and learning in class, but being well rounded like that is not something every student has.  All in all, here are some ways to fulfill your strategies of learning to the very best.

 If you are a visual learner, there are steps to take to help you do well with studying and on tests.  One of the main things you want to focus on is to find a good seat in class so you can see the board clearly and be able to take notes as well as make any charts you might find helpful.  Taking notes is very important as well as going back to reorganize them.  In your books you can also view photographs and diagrams, and be sure to write down explanations that are given.

For auditory learners, you need to actually hear the information and explanations that the speaker presents to you.  While reviewing the notes you’ve taken in class, it is best for you to act everything out again.  For example, read your notes out loud and in class pay attention to exactly what the professor states.  Another way to effectively increase your learning is to create poems or songs while you study that you may remember while taking a test.

Finally, kinesthetic or those that succeed most by doing or experimenting hands on need to remain extremely focused.  While studying, rewrite the notes you’ve taken in class and if studying from the book, hold it in your hands rather than on the table.  You may also consider moving, and standing up while talking and discussing in a study group, as well as writing while you are talking, hearing an explanation, or reading.

Remember, not everyone is strong in each of these areas!  You need to take what you have and do your best with it.  Whether you try to follow the tips given for your specific way of learning, or if you try to use all three efforts in class, or studying, you will see that in time, you can become a better learner.