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This may not be surprising, but instructors tend to teach in ways that fit their own particular styles of learning. So instructors who learn best in a read/write mode or aural mode will probably just lecture and give the class little opportunity for either interaction or visual and kinesthetic learning. Instructors who prefer a more interactive, hands-on environment will likely involve students in discussion and learning through experience.

Which learning situations work best for you? Think about the following questions:

Each of these learning situations is more interesting for some students than for others, but all are certainly going to be part of your college experience. Your college has intentionally designed courses that give you opportunities to listen to instructors who are well educated and trained in their fields, to interact with other students in structured groups, and to learn by doing. Because these are all essential components of your college education, it’s important for you to make the most of each situation, learn the content of each course, and in general learn how to learn better.

When you recognize a mismatch between how you best learn and how you are being taught, you need to take control of your learning process and develop some strategies to learn the material the way you prefer. For instance, if you don’t like listening to a lecture, you will want to sit close to the front of the classroom to reduce distractions. With the instructor’s permission, you might also want to record the lecture, using apps such as QuickVoice or Voice Recorder, so that you can listen to it again. Don’t depend on the instructor or the classroom environment to give you everything you need to make the most of your learning. Use your own preferences, talents, and abilities to develop many different ways to study and retain information. If you are comfortable doing so, visit your instructor during office hours to discuss the challenges you are having and ask for suggestions for strategies you can try. Also, visit your college’s learning center, where staff members can help you adapt your learning style to the realities of any classroom.

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Look back through this chapter to remind yourself of the ways that you can use your own learning style to be more successful in any class you take. If you are interested in reading more about learning styles, the library and your college learning center will have many resources.