Adapting Learning Styles During COVID-19

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The COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for college students.
With colleges switching between in-person and online learning, some students struggle to adapt their learning styles and stay on top of their work.
During this unusual time for higher education, students can help themselves succeed by understanding how they learn best — and how to adapt that learning style for the COVID-19 era. Here are some tips and tricks to help every learner adapt during the pandemic.
The Different Types of Learners
Educators and psychologists have identified four main types of learners: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing.
Understanding which learning style you have makes it easier to succeed in college. For example, auditory learners can modify their studying tactics to include reading out loud or listening to audio books, while kinesthetic learners can take a fidget toy to lectures.
In actuality, there are many more than 4 types of learners. For instance, some students learn best when they're using logic to classify and categorize information. Others need a social setting to reinforce their learning. Still others learn best when they have to teach the material to someone else.
It's also worth remembering that most people have a mix of learning styles. It's rare to be a perfect match for only one style.
COVID-19 and Learning Styles
Whatever your learning style, you've probably had to adapt a lot in the past year. In the spring of 2020, colleges and universities abruptly shifted to an online learning format. Many students — and instructors — had to learn a completely new way of doing college classes.
While some colleges returned to campus for fall semester, others offered a mix of hybrid and online classes. With many classes operating online for the foreseeable future, students can lean on these tips and tricks to succeed in the COVID-19 era.
What works for one learner won't work for everyone, and successful students often use a combination of strategies. So go ahead and try a few different approaches to see what works best for you.


Genevieve Carlton
Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University. After earning her doctorate in early modern European history, Carlton worked as an assistant professor of history at the University of Louisville, where she developed new courses on the history of science, Renaissance Italy, and the witch trials. Carlton has published five peer-reviewed articles in top presses and a monograph with the University of Chicago Press. She also earned tenure with a unanimous vote before relocating to Seattle. Learn more about Carlton's work at genevievecarlton.com.
Header Image Credit: Drazen_ | Getty Images
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