How Should You Incorporate Learning Styles Into Your Studying

​Many students feel frustrated when their study methods don't lead to better understanding or grades. It's common to hear that matching your studying to your "learning style"—like being a visual or auditory learner—can help. In fact, a study found that 89.1% of educators believe in tailoring instruction to learning styles .

However, research shows that teaching to specific learning styles doesn't necessarily improve learning outcomes . Instead of focusing solely on a preferred style, using a mix of study techniques can be more effective.​

In this article, we'll explore practical strategies to enhance your studying by incorporating various methods, helping you learn more effectively.

What Are Learning Styles?

Learning styles are the ways people take in and remember information. Some people learn best by seeing things, while others need to hear or do something to understand it. Knowing your learning style can help you study more effectively.

One popular way to describe learning styles is the VARK model, which stands for Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic. Each style focuses on a different way of learning:

• Visual – You learn best with pictures, charts, and diagrams. Seeing information helps you understand and remember it.
• Auditory – You prefer listening and talking. Discussions, audiobooks, and explaining concepts aloud help you learn.
• Reading/Writing – You like to take notes, read books, and write summaries. Written words help you absorb information.
• Kinesthetic – You need hands-on activities and movement. Experiments, building models, or acting things out help you remember.

Most people don’t fit into just one category. You might use different styles for different subjects. For example, you could read notes (reading/writing), draw a diagram (visual), and explain it to a friend (auditory) to understand something better.

If you're not sure which style works best for you, try different methods and see what helps you remember things more easily.

How to Find Your Learning Style

Everyone learns in different ways. Finding your learning style can help you study more effectively and remember information more easily.

Start by thinking about what helps you remember things best. Do you learn better when you see pictures or diagrams? Do you understand things more when you hear someone explain them? 

Maybe writing things down helps you remember, or perhaps hands-on activities make learning easier.

To figure out what works for you, try different study methods. Pay attention to what helps you absorb information the fastest and what feels natural. Here are some ways to test your learning style:

• Visual learners – Try using charts, diagrams, or color-coded notes.
• Auditory learners – Listen to recordings, read out loud, or join discussions.
• Reading/Writing learners – Take notes, create summaries, or make flashcards.
• Kinesthetic learners – Use hands-on activities, role-play, or study while moving.

You can also take an online learning style quiz for more insight. These quizzes ask about your study habits and suggest which style fits you best. While no method is perfect, understanding your learning style can help you choose study techniques that work best for you.

Study Tips for Visual Learners

If you learn best by seeing things, you’re a visual learner. This means you remember information better when it’s presented in pictures, diagrams, or charts rather than just words. Using the right study methods can help you absorb and recall information more easily.

Here are some ways to study effectively as a visual learner:

• Use diagrams, charts, and mind maps – Drawing out information can help you see connections between ideas. Mind maps, which organize thoughts in a visual way, are especially helpful for complex topics.
• Watch videos and animations – Seeing concepts explained with visuals can make them easier to understand. Look for educational videos or interactive animations on topics you’re studying.
• Highlight and color-code notes – Using different colors for different topics or key points can help you organize information in a way that makes sense to you. This makes it easier to scan and find important details later.
• Use flashcards with pictures – Instead of only using words, add images to your flashcards. A visual cue can make it easier to remember facts or vocabulary words.

Experiment with these methods to see what works best for you. Mixing different visual techniques can help you study more effectively.

Study Tips for Auditory Learners

If you learn best by hearing things, you’re an auditory learner. You remember information more easily when you listen to it rather than reading or seeing it. Using sound-based study techniques can help you absorb and recall information more effectively.

Here are some helpful study strategies:

• Listen to audiobooks, podcasts, or recorded lectures – Hearing information multiple times can help you remember it. Try recording yourself reading your notes and playing them back.
• Read notes out loud and explain ideas to others – Speaking what you’ve learned can reinforce your understanding. Teaching someone else is one of the best ways to remember information.
• Use rhymes, songs, or mnemonics – Mnemonics are memory tricks that turn information into an easy-to-remember phrase or pattern. Creating a short song or rhythm can help you recall facts.
• Join a study group and discuss what you’re learning – Talking about ideas with others helps strengthen your understanding. Hearing different perspectives can also deepen your knowledge.

As an auditory learner, focusing on listening, speaking, and discussing can make studying easier. Try different methods to find what works best for you.

Study Tips for Reading/Writing Learners

If you prefer learning through words, you’re a reading/writing learner. You absorb information best by reading, taking notes, and writing things down. Using text-based study techniques can help you understand and remember material more easily.

Here are some study strategies that work well for you:

• Take detailed notes and rewrite them in your own words – Writing things down helps reinforce what you learn. Instead of copying word-for-word, summarize the information in a way that makes sense to you.
• Use bullet points and outlines to organize thoughts – Breaking information into smaller parts makes it easier to understand. Outlining key ideas in a structured way can help you see connections between concepts.
• Write summaries of what you study – After reading a chapter or reviewing your notes, write a short summary in your own words. This helps you process and retain the information.
• Make flashcards with words instead of pictures – Flashcards are great for memorizing facts, definitions, or key terms. Writing important information on them can help reinforce your learning.

If you’re a reading/writing learner, focusing on written material and organizing your thoughts through writing will make studying more effective.

Study Tips for Hands-On Learners

If you learn best by doing, you’re a hands-on (kinesthetic) learner. Sitting still and reading for long periods might not work well for you. Instead, using movement and real-world activities can help you remember information more easily.

Here are some effective study strategies:

• Use hands-on activities like building models or role-playing – Acting out ideas or creating something physical helps you engage with the material. This works well for subjects like science, history, and math.
• Move while studying—walk, fidget, or stand up – Studying doesn’t have to mean sitting at a desk. Try pacing while reviewing notes, using a fidget tool, or standing while writing. Movement can help you focus.
• Use a whiteboard to write things down – Writing and erasing on a large surface keeps you physically involved in learning. Drawing diagrams or working through problems step by step can also help.
• Learn through real-world examples and experiments – Applying concepts to real-life situations makes them easier to understand. For example, use objects to model math problems or conduct simple science experiments.

If you’re a hands-on learner, staying active while studying and using physical activities can help you absorb and remember information more effectively.

How to Mix Learning Styles for Better Results

Most people don’t fit into just one learning style. You might find that using a mix of techniques helps you understand and remember information better. Combining different methods can engage your brain in multiple ways, making learning more effective.

For example, if you’re studying a new topic, you could:

• Watch a video to see concepts in action (visual).
• Take notes while watching to reinforce key points (reading/writing).
• Explain the topic to a friend or say it out loud to yourself (auditory).

By using more than one style, you reinforce what you learn. This is called multimodal learning, and it helps strengthen your memory and understanding.

Try experimenting with different combinations to see what works best for you. If you’re struggling with a subject, switching up your study techniques might make it easier. For example, if reading alone isn’t helping, try drawing diagrams or discussing the material with someone else.

Mixing styles can also make studying more interesting and less repetitive. The more ways you engage with the material, the better you’ll remember it. Keep testing different methods until you find a study routine that works for you.

Study Techniques That Work for Everyone

No matter your learning style, some study techniques help everyone learn better. These methods improve focus, memory, and understanding, making studying more effective.

Here are four techniques to try:

• Pomodoro Technique – Study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Short study sessions help you stay focused and prevent burnout.
• Active recall – Instead of rereading notes, test yourself on the material. Cover up key points and try to recall them from memory. This strengthens learning and improves retention.
• Spaced repetition – Review information over time instead of cramming. Studying in shorter sessions over several days helps you remember things for longer.
• Minimize distractions – Create a quiet study space where you can focus. Turn off notifications, keep your phone away, and remove anything that might take your attention away from studying.

Using these techniques can make studying more efficient. They work well for all subjects and learning styles. Try combining them with your preferred study methods to see the best results. If one technique doesn’t seem to work, adjust it to fit your needs. 

The key is to find a system that keeps you focused and helps you remember what you learn.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Learning Styles

Understanding your learning style can help you study more effectively, but it’s important to avoid common mistakes. Sticking to just one method or ignoring other key study habits can make learning harder than it needs to be.

Here are some mistakes to watch out for:

• Only using one method instead of mixing techniques – Even if you prefer one learning style, using different approaches can help you learn better. For example, if you’re a visual learner, try explaining concepts aloud to reinforce them.
• Thinking your learning style can’t change over time – Your learning preferences may shift depending on the subject or your experience. Staying open to new study methods can help you adapt.
• Not trying different study strategies to see what works – If one method isn’t working, don’t be afraid to switch things up. Testing different techniques can help you find a better way to learn.
• Ignoring important factors like sleep, breaks, and a good study space – Even the best study methods won’t work if you’re exhausted or distracted. Getting enough rest, taking breaks, and studying in a quiet place all play a big role in how well you learn.

Being flexible and using a mix of strategies will help you get the most out of your study time.

How to Make a Study Plan That Works for You

A good study plan helps you stay organized and learn more effectively. Instead of studying randomly, having a plan can keep you focused and make the most of your time.

Here’s how to create a study plan that fits your learning style:

• Figure out your learning style and choose the best methods – Think about whether you learn best by seeing, hearing, writing, or doing. Use study techniques that match your strengths.
• Create a schedule with different types of study activities – Mix up your study routine to keep things interesting. For example, watch a video, take notes, and then quiz yourself.
• Track progress and adjust methods as needed – Pay attention to what’s working and what’s not. If a certain method isn’t helping, try a different one. Keep track of what helps you remember things best.
• Keep experimenting to find what helps you learn best – Learning is personal, and what works for someone else might not work for you. Stay flexible and open to trying new techniques.

A study plan isn’t set in stone. Adjusting it as you go will help you find the best way to learn and retain information.

Final Thoughts

Learning styles can give you clues about how you prefer to take in information, but they shouldn’t limit the way you study. 

Using a mix of methods—like reading, watching, listening, and doing—helps your brain stay active and improves your memory. In this post, we covered what learning styles are, why they matter, and how to use them the smart way.

Now it’s your turn—try using one new study method this week and see how it works for you. Small changes can make a big difference.