I know it’s still summer but, in an effort to prepare you for the rigors of the classroom this fall, let’s strap on our thinking caps and work to raise that GPA like a pubescent teen’s pants upon seeing his first Playboy. Now that I have your attention, this week’s Nerd Word column continues to look at the qualities and study habits that apply to particular segments of college kids. Last week, we broke down the study preferences of the visual learner, but that only covers a portion of the information processing models; let’s now play it by ear and get into the mind of the auditory learner.
Auditory learners are those who learn best through hearing things. You may be an auditory learner if you are someone who:
- Likes to read to self out loud.
- Is not afraid to speak in class.
- Likes oral reports.
- Is good at explaining.
- Remembers names.
- Notices sound effects in movies.
- Enjoys music.
- Is good at grammar and foreign language.
- Reads slowly.
- Follows spoken directions well.
- Can’t keep quiet for long periods.
- Is good in study groups.
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Auditory Learners Can Benefit from
- Using word association to remember facts and lines.
- Recording lectures.
- Watching videos.
- Repeating facts with eyes closed.
- Participating in group discussions.
- Using audiotapes for language practice.
- Taping notes after writing them.
Best Test Type for Auditory Learners
- Auditory Learners are good at writing responses to lectures they’ve heard. They’re also good at oral exams.
Worst Test Type for Auditory Learner
- Reading passages and writing answers about them in a timed test.
If you are a match with the auditory learner description then crack open a Nerd Energy Drink, throw on your most recent recording of your favorite professor’s lecture and get to work. Studying will never be fun, but you can certainly make it easier and more effective if you know your own strengths. Believe me, nothing is sexier than telling some wide-eyed broad that you graduated Magna Cum Laude… Latin is the ultimate pants dropper. Keep it here next week for the third and final installment of the Nerd’s Word on student types – the kinesthetic learner.
