What Is My Learning Style: Finding the Best Way to Study

There are three main types of learning styles — auditory, visual, and kinaesthetic, each with their unique traits and a complementary way of learning. It is crucial to know what sort of learner you are so you can tailor your learning approaches and habits accordingly. Read on to discover the various types of learning styles and the corresponding best way to study!

The Importance of Knowing Your Learning Style

Before we delve into specific study strategies, let's take a moment to understand the immense importance of knowing your learning style. Understanding your preferred learning method enables you to study smarter, not just harder, resulting in a faster grasp of concepts and improved recall and retention. When learning aligns with your natural strengths, the process also becomes less daunting and more enjoyable, easing the pressure often associated with academics.

How to Identify Your Learning Style

Discovering your learning style is the first step towards more effective studying. A great starting point is to complete a reputable online learning style test, such as those based on the VARK learning style model. These can offer initial insights into your dominant preferences among the different types of learning styles.

Beyond assessments, you should also reflect on your past learning experiences: what methods worked best when you excelled, and which left you confused? Finally, actively experiment. Try various techniques — visual aids, listening to explanations, writing summaries, or hands-on activities. Observe what truly makes information click and become memorable for you.

The Best Way to Study Based on Your Learning Style

Now that you understand the significance of your unique learning approach and how to pinpoint it, let's explore tailored study techniques for the different types of learning styles.

Auditory Learning Style

Auditory learners understand best by listening to spoken instructions and explanations. If you have an auditory learning style, you would probably find yourself reading aloud, even if you do not realise it.

Effective ways for auditory learners to study include:

• Recording class lectures: This is an effective study method, provided your teacher allows it. You can then replay the recording as many times as you need to grasp complex ideas.

• Utilising online audio/video: If mobile phones aren't allowed in your classroom, try searching for relevant audio recordings or videos online.

• Recording yourself: Another option is to record yourself reading your notes aloud and then play it back while you read along.

• Verbalising your learning: Actively participating in class discussions or explaining concepts to a study buddy helps auditory learners process and retain information. This also reinforces your own learning, aids struggling peers, and enhances public speaking skills.

Visual Learning Style

Visual learners learn best when they can visually see the idea they are learning about. Often, visual learners might be easily distracted by sounds. An example would be having difficulty concentrating when there is music playing in the background.

Those with this learning style find it challenging to remember every point the teacher has shared verbally during a lesson. Thus, if you are a visual learner, these strategies can be incredibly helpful:

• Jotting down notes: Make sure to take notes during classes. Whether you're writing down what's on the whiteboard or what your teacher is explaining, physically seeing the words will help you commit that information to memory.

• Using multi-coloured pens and highlighters: When studying content-heavy subjects, marking information in different colours can immensely aid recall. For instance, you could highlight the main points in yellow, important details or numbers in orange, and keywords in green. Colour coding helps organise your thinking and allows you to make connections between different concepts and the main theme.

• Creating mind maps and diagrams: Instead of just linear notes, try drawing mind maps, flowcharts, or diagrams to illustrate relationships between concepts. This visual representation can make complex information much easier to understand and recall.

• Watching educational videos and demonstrations: Sometimes, seeing a concept in action or explained visually can make all the difference. Look for documentaries, animated explanations, or online tutorials that cover your study material.

Kinaesthetic Learning Style

Do you learn best by having a hands-on experience? Those with this learning style absorb information most effectively through doing, touching, and active engagement rather than just visualising or listening. Here are some tips for kinaesthetic learners:

• Integrate physical activity: Since sitting still can be challenging, try combining movement with your study. This could involve going for a walk while listening to audio recordings of lectures or simply moving around your room as you read notes.

• Study in short bursts: Your active mind often concentrates best on shorter timescales. Break your study sessions into brief, manageable blocks to maintain focus and engagement.

• Change your study environment: If staying at a desk is challenging, try switching up your surroundings. Try studying in different parts of your home or even at a library or cafe to keep things fresh.

• Incorporate hands-on activities: Seek out ways to make studying fun and active. This might include building models, performing experiments, using flashcards that require physical interaction, or acting out concepts to reinforce your learning.

Read/Write Learning Style

Those with a read/write learning style excel when processing information through written words. They prefer to take in information by reading text and express their understanding by writing it down.

While this style is often well-suited for traditional academic settings, challenges can arise when information is presented primarily through lectures or hands-on demonstrations, making it difficult for students to engage and retain.

Here are some tips on how to best study according to this style:

• Take detailed notes: Write down everything relevant from lectures, textbooks, and discussions.

• Summarise and rephrase: Condense information into your own words to solidify understanding. Try flashcards to make it an active and repeatable learning process.

• Create personalised outlines and lists: Organise complex topics into structured, written formats that make sense to you and highlight key relationships.

Ace Your Exams With The Right Learning Style

Whatever your learning style may be, tailoring your study methods to it can do you wonders by maximising your mental recall and reducing study-related stress.

While it may be difficult for school teachers to tailor their teaching specifically to your needs, a private tutor can offer you that personalised guidance. At Premium Tutors, we are a home tuition agency in Singapore offering 1-to-1 home tuition for all levels and subjects.

Our dedicated home tutors can tailor lessons specifically to your learning style and needs, ensuring you achieve the academic grades you desire. Whether you're looking for a personal maths tutor, a home Chinese tutor, or specialised help in any other subject, contact us today to find the perfect private tutor