GETTING READY TO LEARN

  I want to congratulate you because you all made it into university. University lifestyle may seem to be quite exciting but at the same time you must be alert with everything that happens around you. Also, you must be independent because no one will feed you here like you were at school before. You will do everything by yourself. We learn new tasks in different ways everyday and we each have our own styles or preferences for learning. It sounds hard but trust me, you will be okay. The transition between high school to university will maybe make you feel uncertain at first but just so you know, university life is exciting and a lot of fun.

Here is the transition from high school to university:

                                                                    

 
 

LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY

First thing first, you guys will learn about learning styles inventory. It was really interesting because here, you will learn which learning styles suits you the most and it will impact your study output. When you know which learning style inventory you are, you can study at a much faster rate and you can easily understand things that you study for. That way, you can score your examination with flying colours. Sounds fascinating, right?

There are three of them which are Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic modes. If you are visual learners, you need to see information, you have strong visualization skills and can remember objects, shapes, and pictures. For auditory learners, you need to hear information. You can hear differences in tones and rhythm. You can remember what you heard in the lectures. And the last one is Kinesthetic learners, you have good coordination and learn by doing. A kinesthetic learner is someone who needs to be actively engaged in their education. They are 'tactile' learners who use movements, testing, trial and error and a non-traditional learning environment to retain and recall information.

 Eg: https://www.wikihow.com/Learning-Style-Quiz

Multi-Sensory Learning

 When you already know your learning styles, the best strategy is to combine modalities whenever possible into your study plan. Combination of the styles will strengthen your ability to retain information as long as you are creative. Here are some suggestions that I got from my lectures. You can adjust it on your own.

Visual learners

• Create mind maps, flow charts, and diagrams using bright colors. Put them where you can view them frequently. For instance you can put them at your mirror, so every time you look at the mirror, you will automatically read them.
• Practice building your visual memory.
• Rewrite your notes using different colors. You can use highlighter with different colors. When your notes have many colors, it can attract you to read it.

Auditory learners

• After you read a page in your textbook, summarize the information out loud in your own words.
• Tape your instructor's lecture, and if you are on the bus, listen to the tape on the way to your collage.
• Discuss the material that you have been learning with a friend or study group. You can teach your friend, vice versa. It can help you understand things better.

Kinesthetic learners

• Use your hands. Cut up charts and diagrams. Create flash cards and move them around with large, sweeping movements.
• Walk and talk the information. Recite as you move.
• Type on a computer keyboard. You are using your muscle memory.

Developing Your Style: Combining Visual, Auditory & Kinesthetic Modes.

• Use background music (no lyrics to distract you) when you study. Choose a piece of music for a particular subject. Every time you study that subject, play the music. You are creating an association for your subconscious mind. You may be surprised to discover how much of the information you remember when you play the music by itself. You are combining Visual and Auditory modes. I have someone that I know using this trick, and you know what??? It works!! So, how about you guys try it. Who knows that it also works with you.
• Use rap or rhyme to memorize information. To add Kinesthetic to this Auditory-mode, walk, dance or clap when you sing.
• if you are athletically inclined, dribble a basketball while you recite information. You are combining Auditory and Kinesthetic modes.
• Study with a partner or in a group. Discuss the information. Hold up flash cards diagrams, hierarchies, and mind maps to test each other. This combines Visual and Auditory modes.

    - Put yourself in the picture. You can do this with a subject like history: 

      participate in a battle or a significant meeting such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Ask yourself how you feel. This combines Visual and Kinesthetic modes.

Additional Strategies:

• If you are learning a new vocabulary word or math formula, write it in the air using large sweeping movements. Close your eyes and see it in your mind's eye. Say the words out loud. You are combining V, A, and K modes.
• Use the sense of smell. One student created olfactory (smell) associations by using scented pencils for studying. He used a grape pencil for one subject and a chocolate one for another. When taking an exam, he used the appropriate pencil to help him recall information. He combined V and K and added and additional sensory mode.
• Use 5-by-7-inch flash cards to self-quiz. Use different and bright colors for each side. Lay them on a desk or table. Move them around and put them in different places as you study, or create a game with them. Place them into different categories in hierarchical fashion such as "don't know", "review", and "need to study more".
• Create your own auditory notes using a tape recorder.