Visual Learners

Visual learners benefit most from taking in information through their eyes. They need to see information to process it.  It may be helpful for visual learners to checkout the handouts available from LSS to read about study skills.

Clues

• Learns better by seeing, not hearing; likes to look at books, pictures, puzzles, etc.
• Draws and writes well
• Often close their eyes to visualize or remember something
• Find something to watch if they are bored
• Tend to sit in the front
• Has good memory recall of things seen
• Is often neat, orderly, well dressed; notices details
• May have auditory problems; may not respond well in class
• Needs to see it to know it
• Strong sense of color
• May have artistic ability
• Difficulty with spoken instruction
• Find passive surroundings ideal
• Overreaction to sounds
• Trouble following lectures
• Misinterpretation of words

Lecture

Lecture situations can be challenging. Make them work for you by doing the following:

• Be sure to attend all classes, recitations, and extra sessions offered for each of your courses
• Select a seat furthest from the door and windows and close to the front of the classroom
• Look at the professor while he or she is talking (it will help you to stay focused)
• Take good lecture notes, including sketches of all pictures and diagrams. Leave lots of white space to fill in extra details later.
• Use color to highlight main ideas. Keep a highlighter or a pen with multiple inks with you at all times while studying.
• If you miss a point, ask the professor to explain it again. Just say, "Could you please repeat that?"
• If you miss a lecture, get notes from a dependable student or the professor

Study Tips

• Use graphics to reinforce learning (ex: diagrams, slides, illustrations, films, doodles)
• Color code to organize notes
• Write directions for assignments to be done
• Visualizing spelling of words or facts to be memorized
• Create alternate visual forms of the material such as information maps, diagrams, concept maps or flow charts.
• Study by yourself in a quiet place. Some individuals prefer background music. Try to reduce the number of visual distractions in the area—eliminate clutter.
• Before beginning an assignment, set a specific goal and write it down. Post it where you will glance at it frequently. For instance, "7-7:30, I am going to read Chapter 32 in Biology.”
• Before reading an assignment look at all the pictures and headings in that section
  • Picture in your mind what you think the chapter will be about
  • Picture in your mind any questions you hope to answer
• While reading an assignment, stop after every few paragraphs summarize aloud or in writing what you have just read
• Whenever you have a particularly difficult reading, follow the text with your finger. Try to visualize the words and/or ideas in your head as you read.
• Write down anything that you need to remember (quotes, dates, lists, etc.) If necessary, write them repeatedly on multiple occasions to reinforce your memory.
• Rewrite lecture notes and write out sample test question answers while studying

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