With finals drawing ever-nearer, Christmas break is almost in sight. But first, we need to power through the end of the semester. I have always struggled to find study habits that work well for me, but recently I’ve discovered some insights on how to pick the best study method for your brain. It’s all based on your learning style! If you’re in need of some last-minute study strategies that will actually work for you, take this short 20 question quiz, find out your learning style, then scroll to see my recommendations along with some useful websites!
Visual Learner
If you’re a visual learner, you’re like me–as educationplanner.org reveals, you learn best through things you see. You also tend to visualize things in your head to remember them, and are drawn toward visual stimulation. You should study by making flashcards, rereading your textbook or notes, looking at diagrams, color coding important words or concepts, looking at or making PowerPoints, or watching youtube videos. These methods will help your brain organize the information visually, and therefore you are more likely to remember it. Some helpful resources: Quizlet (for flashcards), Prezi (for dynamic visual presentations), and Crash Course (for quick youtube reviews).
Auditory Learner
If you’re an auditory learner, educationplanner.org states that you learn best through listening and speaking. Your brain stores information by how it sounds, and you need to hear or speak something to understand it best. You should study by recording and listening to lectures, rereading your textbooks or notes out loud, having a friend ask you questions and answering them, explaining material to someone else, or listening to an audiobook or podcast. By hearing or speaking the information, your brain will remember it better than just by reading it. Some helpful resources: Natural Reader (for easy text-to-speech software), Oliviaalee on Youtube (my favorite playlists for romanticizing my studying) and Learning Path (a list of places to find free audiobooks).
Tactile Learner
If you’re a tactile learner, educationplanner.org reports that you are a hands-on kind of student. You understand things best when there is some sort of physical component to your learning–touching, drawing, building, or doing. You study best by doing interactive projects, rewriting notes, drawing diagrams, acting out stories, or playing games, and you often need to be physically moving or fidgeting in order to focus. This learning style requires the most creativity to stimulate your brain and retain information, so don’t be afraid to try new things. Some helpful resources: Pear Deck (for interactive presentations), Gimkit (for a game show learning experience), and Tinkercad (for digital 3D diagrams and dioramas).
For everyone stressing about finals, you’ve learned a little bit more about yourself and what study strategies work best for you. Study habits are always a trial and error process, and almost nobody is 100% confined to just one learning style. Don’t be afraid to try out different methods for different classes, and expect your processes to grow and evolve as you do. Good luck this semester, and let’s finish strong!