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If you are a visual learner, try to find diagrams, sketches, schematics,
photographs, flowcharts, or any other visual representation of course material that is
predominantly verbal. Ask your instructor, consult reference books, and see whether
any videotapes or CD-ROM displays of the course material are available. Prepare a

concept map by listing key points, enclosing them in boxes or circles, and drawing
lines with arrows between concepts to show connections. Color-code your notes with
a highlighter so that everything relating to one topic is the same color.
Verbal Learners
As with visual learners, look for opportunities to learn through audiovisual
presentations (such as CD-ROM and Webcasts). When making notes, group
information according to concepts, and then create visual links with arrows going to
and from them. Take every opportunity you can to create charts, tables, and diagrams.
Write summaries or outlines of course material in your own words. Working in
groups can be particularly effective: you gain understanding of material by hearing
classmates’ explanations, and you learn even more when you do the explaining.
Sequential Learners
When you break things down into small components you are often able to dive
right into problem solving. This seems to be advantageous but can often be
unproductive. Force yourself to slow down and understand why you are doing
something and how it is connected to the overall purpose or objective. Ask yourself
how your actions are going to help you in the long run. If you can’t think of a
practical application for what you are doing, then stop and do some more “big
picture” thinking.
Most college courses are taught in a sequential manner. However, if you are a
sequential learner and you have an instructor who jumps around from topic to topic
or skips steps, you may have difficulty following and remembering. Ask the
instructor to fill in the skipped steps, or fill them in yourself by consulting references.
When you are studying, take the time to outline the lecture material for yourself in
logical order. In the long run, doing so will save you time. You might also try to
strengthen your global-thinking skills by relating each new topic you study to things
you already know. The more you can do so, the deeper your understanding of the
topic is likely to be.
Global Learners
If grasping the big picture is easy for you, then you can be at risk of wanting to
run before you can walk. You see what is needed but may not take the time to learn
how best to accomplish it. Take the time to ask for explanations, and force yourself to
complete all problem-solving steps before coming to a conclusion or making a
decision. If you can’t explain what you have done and why, then you may have
missed critical details.
If you are a global learner, it can be helpful for you to realize that you need the
big picture of a subject before you can master details. If your instructor plunges
directly into new topics without bothering to explain how they relate to what you
already know, it can cause problems for you. Fortunately, there are steps you can take
that may help you get the big picture more rapidly. Before you begin to study the first
section of a chapter in a text, skim through the entire chapter to get an overview.

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