Find Your Learning Style
Find your personal (learning) style.
Did you know there’s reason for the method you’re drawn to when learning something new? While your Econ 101 performance may long be past a rescue, understanding which of three learning styles—auditory (all ears), visual (eyes akimbo) and kinesthetic (just hand it over, I’ll feel my way along)—is your dominant one can help you play to strengths when grooving new patterns now.
When it comes to exploring your learning style, several quizzes out there will get the basic job done (small caveat: they tend to be geared towards young students). Some will turn out hybrid types in the final analysis of your answers—no one is a purist, after all—but your dominant style should be obvious.
Once you find your style, here’s how to use your newly understood learning superpowers to get those synapses fired up.
Learning style: visual
Your superpowers You’ve never met an infographic you don’t like. Your memory soaks up things you see or write down; you’re observant and pay attention to detail.
Your kryptonite Listening to endless instructions? Peace out.
Your tech Instagram stories, videos and carousels (photos are your jam)—anything presented in a compellingly visual way (hello, food prep) will find its way to your hippocampus.
Learning style: auditory
Your superpowers You always remember a name (on the first try!) and talking it out is your path to permanency. You’re a Grammy-winning composer of mnemonic songs and rhymes, and a good class discussion is your happy place.
Your kryptonite Noisy environments seriously kill your learning vibe, and you tend to struggle without verbal guideposts pointing out the must-see landmarks in material.
Your tech Podcasts, obvi. (Check out In Our Time for a deep dive on some sh*t you may have missed in school the first go-round.)
Learning style: kinesthetic (sometimes called tactile)
Your superpowers “Doer” is your middle name. You’re all about trying new things, and getting your hands dirty is a point of pride. You can walk and learn at the same time and there’s no problem you’re afraid to tackle.
Your kryptonite Your patience clock starts ticking the second people start showing or telling you things. Just let you try it, already.
Your tech Games, games and more games. Popular language learning apps like Babbel that use game-ification to engage and teach were made with you in mind.
