There's no one right way to study. Some methods work great for one person and not for others. That's because everybody learns differently. To find a study method that suits you best, it's essential to understand your learning style.
Watch the video below to learn more about different learning styles.
Learning styles
The four main learning styles are visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic (also known as hands-on). For most people, one of these methods will work best, but it's also possible for a combination of different styles to be effective.
What's your learning style?
To discover your learning style, you can take an online assessment, like the VARK Questionnaire. After answering the multiple-choice questions, you'll receive your results.
If the assessment's results don't feel right, you can also observe yourself and your previous learning experiences to get an idea of how you learn best.
Visual learning
If you're a visual learner, you may find it helpful to create diagrams while studying. These can help you to understand specific structures or ideas better.
You could also try color-coding your notes. This can help you organize information and internalize it more effectively. Watching videos can also be a good resource.
Auditory learning
As an auditory learner, you might enjoy studying in groups. This would allow you to have discussions about the material.
You could also read your notes aloud, as hearing them can help you internalize the information. If your teacher allows it, you can also record lectures to listen to them later.
Reading/writing learning
If you learn best by reading and writing, it's a great idea to take substantial notes during class and read over them often.
When you're trying to memorize something, writing it out can be helpful. Reading and re-reading materials from class could also help you to retain the information.
Kinesthetic learning
Kinesthetic learners tend to have a lot of energy and like being active. Labs and hands-on activities can help understand specific ideas and topics.
It is beneficial to review materials while walking around or sometimes even while exercising. Be sure to take breaks during study sessions to release some energy, so you'll have more focus when you return.
These four learning styles may seem different, but they can all be used to study the same material. If you're able to determine your learning style along with some study methods that work for you, you might find yourself getting better results.
Memorizing things isn't always easy. Computers store all of their files on a hard drive, ready to be opened at a moment's notice. However, the human brain operates somewhat differently. When we study something, such as a scientific term, cells called neurons begin communicating with one another, forming connections about that word and its definition.
Then, when we try to remember that term later on, our neurons work together to strengthen those connections. The more often we study something, the stronger these connections become, making it easier to recall, which leads to a better memory.
Watch the video below to learn how you can become better at memorizing.
Understanding what you're studying
Before trying to memorize something, you must understand it. If you're studying for a test and find that you don't fully understand something, please take a moment to learn more about it.
Whether it's a math formula or a vocabulary word, having a strong understanding of it will enable your brain to form more connections, making it easier for you to remember.
Chunking
Chunking is the process of breaking down information and organizing it into manageable groups. We do this naturally with phone numbers; instead of memorizing the digits individually, we chunk them into small groups, such as 232-555-0483.
Take a look at this list of vocab words:
Pretty long and intimidating! Luckily, we can categorize them into smaller, more meaningful groups. In doing so, we're creating relationships between the words, which can help during the recall process.
Using visualization
Visualization involves creating a mental image that accompanies the idea or term you want to memorize.
When you study something like a definition, you're creating a verbal memory in the form of words. But if you take that definition and create a visual image to accompany it, you're giving your brain two different ways to recall the information: visually and verbally.
Talking aloud
Talking aloud when studying can help increase the odds of committing something to memory. Studies have shown that you're more likely to remember something if you speak it instead of reading it silently. This is called the production effect.
By reading something aloud, you're not only saying it, but you're also hearing and seeing it. This gives your brain three different ways to encode that information instead of just one.
Teaching the material to others
You can test how well you've memorized something by teaching it to others. This can help you make your own mental connections with the material while explaining it or answering any questions your partner may have. If you're not able to fully explain something, then you'll know to spend more time studying it.
These methods don't work like magic. You'll need to dedicate the time to studying. After all, memory is a skill, and like any skill, it's something you need to practice.
"Learning Styles: Concepts and Evidence" – Pashler et al. (2009)
Read the paper (free PDF)
"Malcolm Knowles, Informal Adult Education, Self-direction and Andragogy" (infed.org overview)
Read the summary
"The Adult Learner" by Malcolm Knowles, Elwood Holton, and Richard Swanson
Widely considered the foundational text on andragogy, theory, and practical methods.
"How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School" (National Academy Press)
Available free online
Includes sections on adult learning.
Knowles, M. S. (1984). The Adult Learner: A Neglected Species. Houston: Gulf Publishing.
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall.
Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., & Bjork, R. (2009). Learning Styles: Concepts and Evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 9(3), 105-119. ([Link above])
Blend Methods:
Incorporate visual, auditory, and hands-on activities regardless of reported learning style preferences.
Relate to Experience:
Invite adults to connect the material to their work and life experiences.
Problem-Based Tasks:
Use real-world problems and scenarios for learning activities.
Encourage Self-Direction:
Offer options for exploring content at their own pace.
Reflection:
Allow time for learners to reflect and discuss what they’ve learned.
Collaboration:
Encourage group discussions, peer teaching, and sharing of diverse perspectives.
While learning styles are a popular framework, research indicates that teaching in varied ways ("multimodal learning") works better than singling out individual styles.
Stanford’s Center for Teaching and Learning advises:
“You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) match instruction to learning styles. Instead, mix methods for best results.”