Whats your learning style??

"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow." -- Anthony J. D'Angelo

So...I am studying like a madwoman today doing my best to prepare for my new position as a Clinical Account Executive for an industry leading biotech company. I found myself going over the same line over and over and having a hard time retaining some of the information. (For the record...I find the information fascinating but as a person with NO science background other than the the pharmacodynamic cram sessions required of pharmaceutical sales, a lot of the compounds and periodic symbols are a bit foreign) I finally realized that I was doing this all wrong...While I am certainly a visual person...I am very much a tactile/kinestethic learner and learn best by DOING.

I decided to call my technical specialist and I ask if I could accompany him in the field tomorrow. He agreed and I am very excited. (Plus, I may have gotten some points with the new boss who seemed surprised yet pleased that I took the initiative to go above and beyond. His only expectation from me is doing independent home study until January 5).

LESSON: Know when something is not working. Adjust the plan accordingly.

Also, always look for opportunities to go the extra mile. Proactively reaching out to my technical specialist gives us an opportunity to get a headstart of building a mutually productive partnership.

Because I know myself, I know which ways work best for me especially as it pertains to learning new things. I like to jump right in and use my hands. Most of my former bosses would tell you that I became their strongest employee often with the least training or experience because I like to be thrown right into the water and learn right away how to sink or swim.

Take this quiz!!! Discovering your learning style

Tips for your Learning Style

Visual Learners:

• use visual materials such as pictures, charts, maps, graphs, etc.
  
• have a clear view of your teachers when they are speaking so you can see their body language and facial expression
  
• use colour to highlight important points in text
  
  
• illustrate your ideas as a picture or brainstorming bubble before writing them down
  
• write a story and illustrate it
  
• use multi-media (e.g. computers, videos, and filmstrips)
  
• study in a quiet place away from verbal disturbances
  
• read illustrated books
  
• visualize information as a picture to aid memorization

Auditory Learners:

• participate in class discussions/debates
  
• make speeches and presentations
  
• use a tape recorder during lectures instead of taking notes
  
• read text out aloud
  
• create musical jingles to aid memorization
  
• create mnemonics to aid memorization
  
• discuss your ideas verbally
  
• dictate to someone while they write down your thoughts
  
• use verbal analogies, and story telling to demonstrate your point
  

Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners

• take frequent study breaks
  
• move around to learn new things (e.g. read while on an exercise bike, mold a piece of clay to learn a new concept)
  
• work at a standing position
  
• chew gum while studying
  
• use bright colors to highlight reading material
  
• dress up your work space with posters
  
• if you wish, listen to music while you study
  
• skim through reading material to get a rough idea what it is about before settling down to read it in detail.