For Auditory Learners

You will learn better when information comes through your ears. You need to hear it. Lecture situations will probably work well for you. You will not learn as well just reading from a book. Here are some suggestions. Try some.

·         Recite aloud things you want to remember (quotes, lists, dates, etc.).

·         Ask your teachers if you can turn in a tape or give an oral report instead of written work.

·         Write vocabulary words in color on index cards with short definitions on the back. Review them frequently by reading the words aloud and saying the definition. Check the back to see if you were right.

·         Make tape cassettes of classroom lectures, or read class notes onto a tape.  Summarizing is especially good. Try to listen to the tape three times in preparing for a test.

·         Use color to highlight main ideas in your notes, textbooks, handouts, etc.  Before beginning an assignment, set a specific study goal and say it out loud. (Example: "In the next hour I will read pp. 45-50 and answer questions 1-8.'1)

·         Preview a chapter before reading by first looking at all the pictures, headings, etc.

·         Read aloud whenever possible. In a quiet library, try "hearing the words in your head" as you read. Your brain needs to hear the words as your eyes read them.

·         Try studying with a buddy so you can talk out loud and hear the information.

·         When doing complicated math problems, use graph paper (or use regular lined paper sideways) to help with alignment.

For Visual Learners

You will learn better when you read or see the information. Learning from a lecture will not be an easy task for you. Here are some suggestions. Try some.

·         Write things down because you remember them better that way (quotes, lists, dates, etc.).

·         Ask a teacher to explain something again when you don't understand a point being made. Simply say, "Would you please repeat that?"

·         Write vocabulary words in color on index cards with short definitions on the back. Look through them frequently, write out the definitions again, and check yourself.

·         Take lots of good notes. Leave extra space if some details were missed. Borrow a dependable student's or teacher's notes. Recopying the days notes every night is a great memory aid.

·         Use color to highlight main ideas in your notes, textbooks, handouts, etc.

·         Before reading an assignment set a specific study goal and write it down. (Example: In the next hour I will read pages 50-60 and answer questions 1-10.)

·         Preview a chapter before reading by first looking at all the pictures, section headings, etc.

·         Look at the person while they're talking. It will help you to stay focused.

·         Most visual learners study better by themselves.

·         It's usually better to work in a quiet place. However, many visual learners do math with music playing in the background.

·         Select a seat furthest from the door and window and toward the front of the class, if possible.

For Haptic Learners

You will learn best by doing, experimenting, or experiencing. Getting information from a textbook (visually) or a lecture (auditorily) is just not as easy. Here are some suggestions. Try some.

·         To memorize, pace or walk around while reciting to yourself or looking at a list or index card.

·         If you need to fidget when in class, cross your legs and bounce or jiggle the foot that is off the floor. Experiment with other ways of moving: just be sure you're not making noise or disturbing others. Try squeezing a tennis ball.

·         Write vocabulary words in color on index cards, with short definitions on the back. Review them frequently by walking around while reciting them and checking yourself by reading the definitions aloud. Use your creativity to connect an action or gesture to each move. (Example: for the word sly, squint and make shifty eyes.)

·         Take lots of notes using color and the mapping technique (which you'll learn in this course). Borrow a dependable student's or the teacher's notes to make sure you got all the important points.

·         Use color to highlight main ideas in your notes, textbooks, handouts, etc.

·         Before beginning an assignment, write out a specific study goal and say it aloud to yourself. This will focus you. (Example: "I will read pp. 45-50 and answer questions 1-8 within the next hour.")

·         When reading a textbook chapter, first look at the pictures, then read the summary or end-of-chapter questions, then look over the section headings and bold-faced words. Get a "feel" for the whole chapter by reading the end selections first, and then work your way to the front of the chapter.

·         If you have a stationary bicycle, try reading while pedaling. Some bicycle shops sell reading racks that will attach to the handle bars and hold your book.

·         You may not study best at a desk, so when you're at home, try studying while lying on your stomach or back. Also try studying with music in the background.

·         When studying, take breaks as frequently as you need. Just be sure to get right back to the task. A reasonable schedule is 20-30 minutes of study and 5 minutes of break. (TV watching and telephone talking should not be done during break time!)

·         When trying to memorize information, try closing your eyes and writing the information in the air or on a desk or carpet with your finger. Picture the words in your head as you do this. If possible, hear them too. Later, when trying to recall this information, close your eyes and see it with your "mind's eye" and "hear" it in your head.

·         Use a bright piece of construction paper in your favorite color as a desk blotter. This is called color grounding. It will help to focus your attention. Also try reading through a colored transparency. Experiment with different colors and different ways of using color.

Permission to reprint for classroom use. Copyright Lynn O'Brien,

50S, Strengthening of Skills, Specific Diagnostic Studies, Inc.,

Rockvi11e, MD, 1985.