Everyone learns in a different way and being aware of your learning style will help you to study more effectively. Some students prefer to learn through reading and writing things down whilst others learn by listening to information.
In this section you will find useful information on learning styles, study methods and tips.
The Study Skills Handbook by
This is the ultimate guide to study skills, written by million copy bestselling author Stella Cottrell. Her tried and tested approach, based on over 20 years' experience of working with students, has helped over a million students to achieve their potential. When it comes to studying, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. This engaging and accessible guide shows students how to tailor their learning to their individual needs in order to boost their grades, build their confidence and increase their employability. Fully revised for the sixth edition, it contains everything students need to succeed. This is an invaluable resource for undergraduate students of all disciplines, and is also ideal for postgraduates, mature students and international students. It prepares students for what to expect before, during and after their studies at university. New content in this edition helps students make the most of online learning, with a new self-evaluation page and more on working collaboratively online. This edition includes support tailored for students on hybrid, asynchronous or distance learning courses as well as more material on building study stamina and improving concentration.
Study Skills for International Postgraduates by
This is the definitive guide to successful study as an international postgraduate student. Chapters cover all the core academic skills, including time management, reading, referencing, critical thinking, doing research, and writing and speaking for assessment. The book features a wealth of examples, activities and checklists to help students hone their skills. The 2nd edition features: - New content on writing critical reviews and case study reports, managing digital sources and using electronic databases - Additional activities on referencing and critical thinking - Practical pointers to help students hit the ground running and quickly get to grips with the expectations and conventions of postgraduate study
How to improve your critical thinking & reflective skills by 
Essential Study Skills by
Do you want to do better at university? Packed with study tips and handy activities, Essential Study Skills is a proven guide that shows you step-by-step how to study effectively and make the best of your time at university - whatever level you′re at. Whether you are going to university straight from school, a mature student, or an overseas student studying in the UK for the first time, you′ll find out how to: Sail through those tricky first weeks Get the most out of lectures by understanding how you learn Learn techniques for academic writing and research Stay cool and cope with stress Pass exams with flying colours Plan your career after graduation. Don′t miss in this edition... Even more tips and advice on learning methods, online learning and developing job skills - ensuring success throughout your course Additional case studies and student tips to help you apply the skills you need A companion website packed with toolkits and resources, to help you study smarter. The Student Success series are essential guides for students of all levels. From how to think critically and write great essays to planning your dream career, the Student Success series helps you study smarter and get the best from your time at university. Visit the SAGE Study Skills hub for tips and resources for study success!
The different learning styles that are used in the VARK learning styles questionnaire are explained below:
| Visual | learn from looking at information in a graphic format such as charts, symbols, diagrams and videos. Visual learners thrive with clear pictures of information. |
| Auditory | learn from listening to information that is presented vocally such as lecture recordings and podcasts. These learners work well in group settings where vocal collaboration is present and may enjoy reading aloud to themselves, too. |
| Read/Write | learn from written information such as books, worksheets and presentations. These learners are note-takers and perform strongly when they can reference written text. |
| Kinaesthetic | learn from being physically involved in a task such as demonstrations and case studies. Kinaesthetic learners are hands-on and tend to work well in scientific studies due to the hands-on lab component of the course. |
| Multimodal | do not have a strong preference towards one particular learning strategy and use different learning styles according to the learning experience. |
Click on the link below to access the VARK questionnaire and answer the questions to identify your preferred learning approach.
Peter Honey and Alan Mumford developed Kolb's learning styles model to identify the following four different learning approaches:
| Activist | learn from actively being involved in new experiences and they enjoy solving problems. |
| Reflector | learn from observing, listening and thinking about ideas and experiences to create their own conclusion. |
| Theorist | learn from analysing models where they can investigate the connections between different ideas. |
| Pragmatist | learn from having opportunities to put into practice the information they have been taught. |
Practice Testing
Create simple questions based on your course content and quiz yourself. It has been proven that the more distributed your practice testing is, the better you can recall content so start early.
Find Another Source
If you are struggling to understand a concept or idea, you may need to be taught it in a different way or in different terms. Look it up on YouTube, Google it or ask another student to explain it to you and see if this new explanation clicks for you.
Visualise Your Information
Use a revision method such as mind maps or flashcards to organise your content. You are creating more study resources and reviewing key points to add to these resources will help you to understand the content. When studying, you will be able to process the information on a mind map or flashcard faster than linear notes.
Summarise Your Information
You may prefer to strip your study methods back to the basics. Reading through your lesson notes and summarizing them, either in one summary paragraph or in bullet points, can be an effective way to review course content. Picking out the key information in your course content will help you to minimise the amount you need to memorise, make large subjects seem less daunting, and may help you to predict what kinds of questions you will face in an assignment, quiz or exam.
As you embark on your online journey, it is important to connect with your classmates in order to create a sense of community. Here is how:
Say hello and give a bit of background about yourself. Simply putting your name out there makes the class feel less strange.
Find a classmate with similar goals to help keep each other on track with seminars, deadlines and exams.
Do not be afraid to engage in discussions to share life events or something interesting that you have found online.
You can work together, in the comfort of your own home, by sharing notes and discussing the material that has been given in class. Do not hesitate to meet up for virtual coffee!
If you are feeling lost, you are certainly not alone! Online learning can be overwhelming, but remember that there are support networks available to you, including the BPP Virtual Campus
Tip 1: Remove all distractions including the internet, television and mobile phone from your study area.
Tip 2: Play classical or instrumental music in the background to relax.
Tip 3: Keep an agenda and check it off as you finish as this helps to visualize your progress.
Tip 4: Use a phonetic dictionary to sound out words.
Tip 5: Ask for help if you do not understand something!
Tip 6: Turn your written notes in to pictures or diagrams to make it easier to remember.
Tip 7: Read your notes aloud and try to explain your lecture to a friend.
Tip 8: Put your notes on flashcards.
Tip 9: Sleep and eat well.
Tip 10: Speak to Learning Support for additional help and guidance.
Evaluating your study and digital skills enables you to identify your strengths and the areas that you can develop. Cardiff University have developed the Assess your Study Skills interactive website. Click on one of the categories and move the slider to assess your level of confidence.
Guidance from the library regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in assignments is available here.
