College Student Learning Styles

by Comstone Cavella

Overview

College Student Learning Styles

Not everyone learns in the same way, with the same methods, or through the same styles. Your brain receives and processes information differently than the person next to you. Understanding learning styles can increase your success and lower your frustration in college.
Auditory

Colleges tend to focus on verbal learning -- lectures and seminars. Verbal learners do well here, but you can aid your performance by taping lectures and listening again to be sure you understand.

Visual

Many people learn best by seeing images, graphics, and flow charts. Take time to draw in your notes with connecting lines, shapes, and even colors to highlight relationships.
Kinesthetic

A small portion of the population learns best by touching and moving. Be sure to touch exhibits and make your own models and charts.
Social

Understanding how others see the world and their relationship in it can help you see perspectives and think more dialectically. Find or create a small learning group for your courses and include those with different learning styles.
Musical

If you feel you have an appreciation of rhythm and tone, consider adding music to your learning. You can set notes to rhyme and music or find music that actually does apply to your curriculum.
Mix and Match

Be sure to try several learning styles. Using a variety of note-taking, self-assessment, and studying strategies will use more of your brain's natural capacities to process and appreciate your instruction.

References & Resources