How to Know Your Learning Style

Learning styles are often underestimated by college students when they're first starting out. But everyone learns differently.

The more you know about how you learn, the more prepared you’ll be to seek out classes, professors, programs, and schools that best suit your unique preferences.

Let's take a closer look at the four learning styles, defined by the VARK model.

What are learning styles?

The concept of learning styles was first proposed in the 1970s, and several different models emerged to represent the way researchers believe humans learn.

It's important to note that while learning styles may indeed reflect individual preferences for how information is received, there is no conclusive evidence that identifying a person's preferred learning style impacts outcomes.

Still, many schools assess learning styles to help teachers and students alike better understand the process.

Understanding the VARK model

Fleming and Mills proposed the VARK model in 1992, and it is one of the most commonly accepted classifications of learning styles.

It's made up of four elements, including the following:

V - Visual

A - Auditory

R - Reading/Writing

K - Kinesthetic

1. Visual learner (V)

Visual learners tend to understand information better through graphics, such as:

• Maps
• Spider web diagrams
• Charts
• Graphs
• Flow charts
• Symbolic arrows

"Visual graphs" don't include pictures, photographs, videos, movies, or even PowerPoint presentations.

💡 Here are some practical tips on how to incorporate graphs into your study process:

1. Simplify complex info: Break down tough concepts into something visual that's easier to understand.
2. Create your own: Don't just rely on graphs you find in textbooks. Make your own to actively engage with the material.
3. Review and test yourself: Go over your graphs and try to recreate them from memory to see how much you really know.

2. Aural/auditory learner (A)

According to VARK-Learn's definition, an aural/auditory person learns best from:

• Lectures and group discussions
• Radio
• Email and mobile phones
• Speaking
• Web-chat
• Talking things through

🗣️ If you're an aural/auditory learner, you might find it helpful to talk through your thoughts and questions, often repeating things you've heard in your own words.

Additionally, recording lectures or voice notes and listening to them again later can be a great way to reinforce information and boost recall.

3. Read/write learner (R)

If you tend to remember what you read better than what you hear, you're likely a read/write learner. This learning style is all about comprehending through reading and writing, which is a common approach for both teachers and students.

💡 Some helpful study strategies for read/write learners include:

• Reading textbooks
• Taking good notes and rewriting key concepts in your own words
• Choosing courses with a focus on writing assignments

4. Kinesthetic learner (K)

If you prioritize experience and practice over concepts and theory, this might be your style. According to VARK-Learn, "people who prefer this mode are connected to reality, either through concrete personal experiences, examples, practice, or simulation."

💡 Incorporating movement while studying—from chewing gum to tapping a pencil—can help this type of learner maintain focus and attention.

Kinesthetic learners also benefit from frequent breaks and learning in short bursts. If this is your learning style, don't be afraid to get a little physical with your learning; it's how your brain best connects the dots.

👇Take our student quiz to know yourself better

Our student quiz is designed to help you better understand what type of student you are and what studies can benefit you the most!

Conclusion

Learning styles aren’t mutually exclusive. There’s no proof that a single learning style or combination of learning styles is more or less effective than another. It’s all about what works best for you!