Study Support: Skills Assessment

Find your favourite learning style

There are four key ways as to how we learn:

Visual - Visual learners are better able to retain information when it is presented to them in a graphic depiction, such as arrows, charts, diagrams, symbols, and more. Similar to how designers use visual hierarchy to emphasise specific design elements, visual learners thrive with clear pictures of information hierarchy.
 

Auditory - Sometimes referred to as “aural” learners, auditory learners prefer listening to information that is presented to them vocally. These learners work well in group settings where vocal collaboration is present and may enjoy reading aloud to themselves, too.
 

Reading & Writing - Focusing on the written word, reading and writing learners succeed with written information on worksheets, presentations, and other text-heavy resources. These learners are note-takers and perform strongly when they can reference written text.
 

Kinesthetic - Taking a physically active role, kinesthetic learners are hands-on and thrive when engaging all of their senses during course work. These learners tend to work well in scientific studies due to the hands-on lab component of the course. 

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.

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 that you could complete.  Click on one of the categories and move the slider to assess your level of confidence.