‘You learn something new every day’ is something that we have all heard at some point, so learning just comes naturally to us all right? Sort of, but the most efficient way we learn varies from person to person.

There are 3 main learning styles, visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic, with each person favouring one or a mixture of these three styles. Understanding which learning style works best for you can help you maximize the time you spend learning.

Visual learning means you can process and retain information better if you see it. Preferring to see information written down, on charts, graphs, or as pictures and videos.

Auditory learning is processing and retaining information better when hearing it. Preferring to be told information and hear it out loud, or needing noise, such as music, in the background to be able to concentrate.

Kinaesthetic learning is learning by doing, benefitting from a hands-on approach. Preferring to have things demonstrated to you or demonstrating your learning to others, generally having to take a more active approach to learning.

By knowing the style or styles of learning that are most effective for you will allow you to tailor your approach to learning to achieve the best results.

Here are some tips suited to each style of learning:

Tips for Visual Learners

Use colour: Highlight important information with different colours to make it stand out. Read textbooks or articles and highlight key points, creating a visual reference for later review.
Create mind maps: Organise information visually using diagrams or flowcharts to show relationships between ideas.
Watch videos: Use educational videos to help visualise concepts and see examples in action.
Take notes with drawings: Add sketches, symbols, or diagrams to your notes to make them more engaging and memorable.
Use flashcards: Write down key concepts or vocabulary on cards, and use images or diagrams on the back to reinforce learning.
Organise with charts and graphs: Present data or concepts in a visual format like pie charts, bar graphs, or tables.

Tips for Auditory Learners

Listen to lectures or podcasts: Engage with spoken content like lectures, podcasts, or audiobooks to better understand topics.
Read aloud: Read your notes or study materials out loud to reinforce the information through hearing.
Use mnemonics or rhymes: Create songs, rhymes, or memory tricks to make information easier to remember.
Discuss topics: Talk through ideas with friends, classmates, or teachers to reinforce learning by hearing others’ perspectives.
Record your notes: Record your thoughts and listen to them later for review.
Teach someone else: Explain topics to others, as verbalising helps solidify the information in your mind.
Use verbal repetition: Repeat key facts or concepts out loud to commit them to memory.

Tips for Kinaesthetic Leaners

Use hands-on activities: Engage in activities like experiments, building models, or drawing to physically interact with the material.
Take frequent breaks: Move around or stretch during study sessions to keep your body active and your mind focused.
Practice by doing: Learn by actively participating in tasks rather than just reading or listening. For example, solve problems or role-play scenarios.
Use physical objects: Use objects like flashcards or props to help illustrate concepts and make learning interactive.
Write or draw notes: Take notes by hand or create diagrams and charts, as the act of writing or drawing can reinforce learning.
Learn through movement: Walk around or use gestures to explain concepts to others, which helps reinforce your understanding.
Create a dynamic learning environment: Study in a space where you can move around or use tools that let you engage physically with the material.

No ‘One Size Fits All’

These tips are not a one size fits all, so you may find a combination of them will best suit you, but the key is to understand how you learn best. Finding out what learning style best suits you may require some trial and error, or there are tests that can be taken online, however their accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

All of these tips are specific to the different styles of learning, however, there are some things everyone can do that will improve their ability to process and retain information.

Be consistent. Trying to cram all the information in at once will only cause you to forget key information, become tired, and is not an optimal approach to learning.
Stay Hydrated. Hydration can aid concentration, memory and prevent tiredness.
Sleep enough. Getting enough sleep before learning can help you stay focused and improve the creation of new memories. Sleeping well after learning can help you retain those memories created that day and link them to older memories.
Take a break. Burn out is detrimental to your learning capabilities, so having regular breaks can help you focus on learning.

Online Learning

Online learning is very popular, especially for workplace training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). All the above-mentioned tips will help you make the most of online learning, however, there are more specific tips to help get the most from online learning.

To get the most from online learning, create a dedicated study space where you can focus without distractions, and set a consistent schedule to keep a routine. Stay organised by tracking deadlines, assignments, and progress with a planner or calendar. Take notes during lessons, even when watching videos or reading materials, to reinforce learning. Use additional resources like videos, articles, or forums to deepen your understanding of the topics. Avoid multitasking to maintain focus and get the most out of each study session. Stay motivated by setting goals, rewarding yourself for progress, and keeping your long-term objectives in mind. Lastly, review your notes and course materials regularly to reinforce learning and ensure retention.

In future posts we will look at different methods of note taking and much more to help you learn in the most effective way.

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Author: Mark Harvey