Many videos and articles online claim to have “learning tips that always work” or “the best way to take notes,” but this is not true. Most “study tips” found online don’t work for many students because no singular studying style works for everyone. Every student has their own pace, level, and methods of learning that work for them, and no two are exactly alike. 

The most crucial part of being a successful student is being aware. In order to be successful, one must be aware of their own needs, class requirements, deadlines, and the world around them. This starts with understanding who they are and what works for them.

The American Education Services and PHeaa have worked to combat this issue. By creating learning style questionnaires, students can find study habits that work better for them. The questionnaires give percentages to discover which of the 3 learning styles works for them: auditory, tactile, or visual. 

Auditory learners learn best by hearing words or phrases that are repeated. Classes that are lecture-based are the classes that auditory learners work best in. Studying habits for auditory learners include sitting closer to the teacher during lectures, reading test content aloud, and having other people quiz them on test material. Educational songs, such as “SchoolHouse Rock” songs, are often valuable tools for auditory learners. 

Tactile learners learn best by participating in hands-on activities. Classes that revolve around projects and experiments work best for tactile learners. Some helpful studying habits for tactile learners include walking or fidgeting while studying, making flashcards and organizing them by topic, and typing or re-writing notes. Things like chewing gum and fidget toys are often beneficial for tactile learners.  

Finally, visual learners learn best by reading content or looking at visuals. Presentation and reading-oriented classes are often the classes where visual learners are the most successful. Drawing pictures, re-writing or color-coding notes, and making index cards are helpful studying habits for visual learners. Tools such as visuals, such as graphs, charts, and images may work well for visual learners.

Finding effective study habits and learning techniques is a highly individualized journey. While the internet may have seemingly “foolproof” tips, it is essential to recognize that no universal method works for every student. By embracing self-awareness and adopting tailored studying habits students can make the best of their education and pave the way for academic success.