What’s Your Learning Style?

Tips on Study Skills and Time Management

Recognizing the importance of good study habits and managing time will help you get your college days off to a good start. One of the best things you can do is to understand how you learn. For example, is it easier for you to remember something you read, or something you hear? Perhaps you retain a concept better if you create something in order to help you learn it.

If you’re not sure what your learning style is, or if you’re just curious about it, there is a great website that can help you. Go to www.berghuis.co.nz/abiator/lsi/lsitest1.html and respond to the 30 statements; then click on “Tell Me My Learning Style.” A screen will pop up that defines whether you are a Visual learner (seeing), an Auditory learner (hearing) or a Tactile-Kinesthetic learner (active) and then you can read about learning strategies for your type. Knowing how you learn will help you succeed in the classroom.

College students today are balancing so many commitments, including class attendance plus study time, family, work, and friends. Managing your time becomes very important. Some ways to do that are simple and obvious: don’t procrastinate, don’t let yourself get behind on your class work. But another way to manage your time in college is to study smart.

One proven method is known as SQ3R:
S = Survey the chapter. Don’t read the chapter first - instead just read headlines, look at cartoons, pictures, etc. Get an idea of what is covered in the material.

Q = Create a Question that the paragraph answers …

R = … after Reading the paragraph.

R = Recite the questions you have created.

R = Review by answering the questions.

Reviewing the material will help you remember it, putting it in your long-term memory rather than in your short-term memory. That will help your preparation and enable you to take better tests and to actively participate in the classroom.

Getting off to a good start in college is important – and understanding how you learn and how to manage your time will help you be successful.