Your learning style

Do people have individual learning preferences or styles that they bring to study? There are a number of different theories that suggest that we each tend to adopt a particular approach or style when we study. For example, one theory describes how you may be an activist, a reflector, a theorist or a pragmatist (or a couple of these).

Although it can be useful to recognise your preferred style of learning - as this can help you re-think how you might use study techniques effectively - these styles or types should not be seen as fixed characteristics of an individual. We are flexible souls. Your approach to learning may change as you develop new study skills, and many of us use different styles depending on the problem or task at hand.

It is now widely accepted that the capacity to learn can be improved by

• analysing how you do things
• being willing to try new things
• recognising what works best for you.

Try this learning style activity to find out how you might improve your study habits.