It’s one of the most stressful times of the year: midterm season. If exams aren’t your thing, you might be wondering how can I study for this exam so I can do my best on it. A few years ago, when I was studying to be a writing center tutor, I learned about the different learning methods. In today’s blog post, we will be looking at the four different learning methods — visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic — and looking at how to use each style in your studying!
VISUAL
A visual learner learns best by looking at visuals. If you are a visual learner, you will learn best by..
- Watching a demonstration
- Creating flashcards
- Looking at graphs and charts
- Watching videos
AUDITORY
An auditory learner learns best by hearing information. Some of the greatest study methods for auditory learners include…
- Watching videos (and listening)
- Asking questions aloud and repeating the answers aloud so that you can hear the answer
When studying, avoid too many loud noises. You can listen to music but try to listen at a lower volume. Additionally, make sure there are no loud conversations going on around you that can distract you from studying.
READING/WRITING
A reading and writing learner learns best by, of course, reading and writing! This learning style involves
- Studying textbooks
- Taking notes (According to Oxford Learning, notes taken by hand helps with retention which often results in higher exam scores than by taking notes on a laptop)
KINESTHETIC
A kinesthetic learner learns best through hands-on learning and by physically involving themselves in learning. Some study methods include…
- Reviewing notes while walking
- Reading aloud
- Playing games or making visuals. This includes games such as hangman, charades, or creating a poster.
It’s very likely that your study method is actually a learning combination and more than one of these learning methods works for you. Personally, I am a visual and auditory learner.
By finding your learning style, you can improve your study methods and score better on your exams!
Come back to the Future Blog for more articles on college and career success!