Studying routines work differently for everyone largely because everyone learns differently. This means that it’s normal for you to have trouble learning a topic that your friend may already be comfortable with.
To determine what type of learner you are, you should first consider whether you are left-brain oriented or right-brain oriented. The left side of the brain is associated with logical and analytical thinking, while the right side of the brain deals more with creativity and emotion. Visual learners tend to use their right side more than logical learners.
Now that you know the difference and have hopefully determined what side of your brain you use more, take a look at this guide to help you study based on the subject.
Mathematics:
- Logical learners: You can complete practice problems and track your mistakes. It’s important to note that this subject tends to be easier for those who use the left side of their brain because of the routine that math requires.
- Visual learners: You can use graphs and charts as visuals to better understand the math topic before proceeding with practice problems. If you are learning simpler math, you can even use blocks or Legos to help keep track of changing amounts.
English:
- Logical learners: Use your notes to outline formats for essays depending on the type of prompt, so that you have a “formula” to follow each time you write. Soon enough, you’ll know the outline by heart and easily be able to write something like a literary analysis. Similarly, if you are studying a book, create a plot chart to organize events and characters. You can also create a timeline as it’s easier to follow a story this way if you are left-brained.
- Visual learners: If you identify as this type of learner, English may be a subject you are strong at as it may be easy to visualize scenes from a book when writing an essay or answering comprehension questions. Highlighting and color-coding excerpts and analyzing them accordingly are two great ways to focus on increasing understanding.
History:
- Logical learners: Use dates and chronology to track important events. Try to think about historical events as a series of cause-and-effect relationships, while analyzing their significance to the larger context of the time period.
- Visual Learners: Focus on visualizing specific historical events and how they play out almost like a movie. Add pictures to your notes and write summary questions next to each section of your notes to quiz yourself later.
Science:
- Logical learners: Use graphs, charts, and statistical data to help make sense of information. Experimental data may especially help you to better understand scientific laws and hypotheses.
- Visual leaners: Use diagrams with labels and pictures to visualize more complex models and systems. You can even color code different elements of a diagram to better help you.
For both kinds of learners, it’s advisable to structure your information into question and answers, so that you can better prepare yourself for an assessment.
