It’s the start of a new school year, and there is a lot to learn, even your own learning style. 

There are 4 main learning styles: visual, auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic. Most people fit into one of these categories, or a mix of multiple.

Visual learners learn best through sight. Drawing pictures and diagrams to help convey ideas is often helpful. Using highlighters and markers to make class notes stand out can help visual learners retain information, and videos may display concepts in a way that is more engaging or easier to understand for visual learners.  

Auditory learners learn best through sound. It is common for auditory learners to study with quiet music in the background to help them stay focused. Reading materials out loud, watching videos, or listening to teachers speak about a subject often allow auditory learners to focus more fully on what they are learning. 

Read/write learners understand things best through reading and writing. Taking lots of notes in class and rewriting them after class can be beneficial to read/write learners. Rereading textbooks and writing summaries of the main ideas is another approach that could be effective. 

Kinesthetic learners retain information best when they are moving or in a hands-on environment. Walking around as you study for a test, or making flashcards that you can move around as you practice with them can be easy ways for kinesthetic learners to keep moving while they study. Even doodling in a school notebook can help them stay focused.

As you explore your own learning style, it is important to remember that the groups are not black and white. Some tactics that benefit visual learners might help you in one subject, and tactics from a different learning style may help you in another one. Find what works for you, and know that the ideas here are simply suggestions.