The VCL Learner
You are a learner with a visual, communal, and left-brain-dominated learning style. You learn best with diagrams and mind maps to help you visualize the inner workings of your studies. You tend to find it easier to learn in group settings because of the comfort and support that team members can offer. You are a highly efficient and organized person who can easily analyze diagrams and graphs with the aid of logic and your own intuition.
General Study Tips
1. Use symbols or pictures to replace certain words or phrases as they are easier to remember later.
2. Highlight different concepts in different colours to help you easily transition from topic to topic.
3. Write out definitions and formulas on flashcards and spend time each day memorizing them.
4. Engage in group discussions and debates so that you are able to get a multidimensional understanding.
5. Study with a reliable group of people who are able to keep you accountable for your learning.
6. Turn studying into a point or level-based game system with friends to help you find extrinsic motivation.
7. Create an organized schedule and to-do list so you can stay on top of your learning.
8. Break down large tasks into smaller steps so that they are more manageable from a short-term perspective.
9. Ask your teacher for clear rubrics and guidelines so that you know exactly what to work towards.
Suggested Strategy: SQ3R Method
The SQ3R Method is a study technique designed specifically for textbook reading. Begin with S by skimming over the chapter and looking at only the headings, diagrams, and pictures, and then read the chapter summary. Then for Q use general questions such as “What is ____?” and “Why is ____?” to guide your understanding of the reading. The first R stands for the read section where you go back and thoroughly look through the chapter answering the general questions you created. The second R is recite, where you will recall the questions you created and attempt to answer them by heart. Finally, the last R is for review which calls upon you to go back and look at the material within the next 24-hour period.
The SQ3R Method challenges learners to take an active approach to reading, rather than a passive one. Having students constantly engaged in the reading it enables them to better recall the information thus increasing long-term cognitive performance. Furthermore, this method breaks the reading down into manageable sections with no one section being exhaustive for the student. Altogether, the SQ3R method should be your go-to strategy for text analysis and general comprehension.
Why SQ3R: Visual learners benefit from the text analysis and organization provided by SQ3R. The communal aspect can be integrated by working through the method in study groups, and it supports the logical, structured approach preferred by left-brain thinkers.