No matter how much we try to run from it, hide from it and ignore it, we all must study (que scary music)! But forget the stress of trying to study; finding a place that best suits your needs is a task on its own. But never fear, there are tons of options to try when seeking the best space for you. The key question you must ask yourself is: “What type of learner am I?”
Visual learners need pictures, bright colors and a space free from visible distractions. If this looks like you, try using visual maps or replacing notes with pictures that have highlighted key words. Watch documentaries, TV shows, movies or videos on the subject you’re studying. Study in a section of the library where no one really goes and utilize picture books to stimulate your studying, or you can go into the art room at your school to create pictures of your notes to memorize them better.
Auditory learners need noise and a space where they can engage with noise in order to learn. If this sounds like you, ask your teacher if sheminds you recording her class so you can listen to the recording later as you read through your notes. Find music that motivates you, play it out loud and fit your notes in with the rhythm of the songs. Or, download a symphony or a musical to one of your devices and play it while you study. Utilize spaces like a band room or the park that will allow you to make as much noise as you need.
Verbal learners rely heavily on speaking out loud or others speaking to them to learn material. If this is you, read your material out loud and use verbal emphasis on key information. Find a partner, write out a script or debate to act out. Teach others the material in a study group. Like auditory learners, you need space for noise, so find an empty classroom or a drama room. Avoid busy places with people talking because this will distract you.
If you’re a physical learner, you feel compelled to involve your body when studying. If this feels like you, keep your body busy while you study, be hands-on and draw charts to your notes. Ideal places for you to study would be a track or the park where you can move freely and associate your notes with your body movements.
As a logical learner, you need reasoning behind everything you’re learning. If this seems like you, use lists, find patterns in your notes and create analogies to content that seems abstract to you. Particularly helpful study places will be full of information that can aid you in understanding—the library or a computer lab.
If you’re a social learner, then you absorb information best when in a group. If this connects with you,share information with a study partner or do role-play within a group to visualize information. Places to go for group work might be your local coffee shop where you can talk out loud and engage with one another or a playground where there’s space to move around for roleplaying. Or, a study partner’s house so you have some privacy from outsiders to prevent feelings of embarrassment.
As a solitary learner, you learn best when you’re alone. If you know this is you, relate content with your personal beliefs and values to keep yourself interested; a lot of your notes in some form have a connection to who you are. The best place for you to study at is any location you feel is your “safe place.” This could be your room, your English class, the tree house in your backyard that you haven’t been in since you were eight, your grandmother’s kitchen table or anywhere you desire – as long as you’re alone.
Knowing your learning style and locations that satisfy your learning needs influence the prosperity of your study experience. If you don’t know what type of learner you are, take our quiz and find out! Connect with us using the hashtag #whereIstudy and tell us what type of learner you are and where you study.