Top 10 Ways an Older Visual Learner Can Help Himself

These tips will be helpful to visual students in middle school, high school, college, or beyond, who need to motivate themselves and control their own learning environment.

1. Color-code notes with highlighters, colored pens/pencils, colored notecards, etc [see link below].
2. Recopy notes and information for tests and re-highlight, using your color code. Repeat at often as needed.
3. Watch a demo on You Tube (or other social media site) over and over, as often as needed. Pause and replay the most critical parts to gain full understanding.
4. Color a previously black-and-white map or trace the boundary lines with a highlighter for emphasis. Even drawing a fancy border around a diagram can help you pay attention to the info and remember it.
5. Draw your own copies of charts, graphs, and diagrams (with lots of colors) to help you understand concepts.
6. Alphabetize notecards and/or facts; shuffle and re-sort as a study method.
7. Use light-colored gel pens/markers on dark-colored paper for a whole different look.
8. Mnemonic devices, such as acronyms or acrostics, can help with memorizing lists and other troublesome information. Example: HOMES for the Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior). Rearrange items to spell out an easier-to-remember word/phrase, or take liberties as needed with spelling or words to create a visual key: I learned the order of Presidents McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson by converting the initials to “MR TV.”
9. Develop your own formulaic methods for organizing information, writing papers, and studying, but allow your rough drafts to be just that: rough. Welcome imperfection as a sign that you can continue to learn and improve. Rough drafts and outlines can be created in a variety of formats, and visual learners can benefit from using multiple layouts. Experiment to find what works best for you.
10. Incorporate learning methods from the other 3 styles to improve your overall learning abilities.

For further help, visit these links:
Learning Styles v. It’s a Syndrome
Color-Coding as a Learning Tool
“Visual Learning” topic (including all of this “Visual Learning Week” series)
“Learning Styles” topic