Everyone learns differently. Some people are auditory learners and need to hear information in order to retain it. Others are visual learners and need to see information in order to understand it. And still others are kinesthetic learners and need to physically interact with information in order to make sense of it.
The good news is that there are a variety of ways to study effectively, no matter how you learn best. Keep reading for the best ways to study based on how you learn!
If You’re an Auditory Learner…
Use a recording app on your phone to record yourself reading out loud from your textbook or lecture notes. Then, listen back to the recordings when you have a few minutes free here and there throughout the day. This will help cement the material in your mind.
You could also try studying with a friend or group of friends and taking turns reading aloud from your notes. Not only will this help you process the information better, but discussing it with others will also give you a better understanding of it.
If You’re a Visual Learner…
Color-coding is your best friend when it comes to studying effectively. Purchase a multi-colored pen or set of highlighters, and use a different color for each different subject area. For example, yellow could be for history, blue could be for English, green could be for science, etc. This will help your brain more easily differentiate between different types of information when you’re looking through your notes later on.
You might also want to try making flashcards with important information on one side and key visuals on the other side. For instance, if you’re trying to memorize the periodic table, put the name and symbol of each element on one side of the card and a picture of that element on the back side of the card. Quiz yourself frequently with the cards until you have them all memorized!
If You’re a Kinesthetic Learner…
There are plenty of ways for kinesthetic learners to study effectively as well! One option is to create physical analogies for concepts that are difficult to grasp. For example, if you’re having trouble understanding photosynthesis, try setting up two bowls – one filled with water and one filled with dirt – and placing green leaves in the bowl of water. As the water evaporates, it will take minerals from the soil up into the leaves, just like how sunlight drives water vapor up from roots during photosynthesis! If you can find a way to physically interact with the material you’re trying to learn, chances are good that it will stick in your mind better than if you had just read about it in a textbook.
You might also want to try playing active games while you study. For example, if you’re trying to memorize state capitals, try writing them down on index cards and then setting up 10 “stations” around your room – one for each letter of the alphabet except X (because there are not many state capitals that start with X). Put all of the index cards that start with A at one station, all of those that start with B at another station, etc., then run around the room trying to put all of the cards in alphabetical order as quickly as possible! Not only will this help get your blood flowing (which can improve focus), but it will also force you to actively think about which state capital comes next in sequence.
Conclusion:
Learning styles aren’t set in stone – sometimes people are even multimodal learners who use more than one method depending on what they’re trying to learn! However, understanding how YOU learn best can give you a big leg up when it comes time to hit the books hard before an exam. Try out some of these methods next time you need to buckle down and study for something important…and don’t forget that taking breaks is important too! Your brain can only retain so much information at once before needing some time to relax and recharge.
