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Hi, this is Ray. Now, if you’ve ever tried to study something—be it history, programming, or how to fix a leaky sink—and found yourself struggling, let me tell you: It ain't your fault. It’s just that most of us were never taught how to learn. Schools fed us knowledge like a river forcing water down a gopher hole, hoping some of it would stick. But the truth is, we all learn differently. And once you figure out how you learn best, the whole game changes.

So let’s get to it: How do you learn how you learn best?

Step 1: Recognize That Learning Is Personal

You ever seen a cat try to swim? It’s ugly, undignified, and results in a lot of angry yowling. That’s how most of us feel when we’re forced into a learning style that doesn’t fit. The key is to find what works for you instead of battling against your own instincts.

Scientists have broken learning styles into a few broad categories:

• Visual learners thrive on images, diagrams, and watching things in action.

• Auditory learners soak up knowledge best by listening.

• Kinesthetic learners need to get hands-on and move around to learn effectively.

But that’s just the surface. There’s also your personality to consider. If you’re introspective and analytical, you’ll learn differently than someone who thrives on social interactions and group discussions.

Step 2: Take a Learning Style Assessment

There are plenty of quick tests out there that can help you figure out your dominant learning style. In fact, I’ve got a quiz that does just that—it’s based on a combination of sensory learning (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) and Jungian personality types to give you a custom learning blueprint. The more you understand about how your brain likes to absorb information, the easier it is to tweak your approach. If you’re getting this email, chances are you already took it on our site.

Step 3: Experiment with Different Techniques

Once you have an idea of what might work, test it. Try reading a book on a topic versus watching a documentary. Try listening to a podcast versus writing down notes. When you start noticing that one method feels easier or that you retain more, you’ve hit gold. Here are a few techniques based on different styles:

• Visual Learners: Sketch out mind maps, use color-coded notes, and watch explainer videos.

• Auditory Learners: Record lectures and play them back, read out loud, and engage in discussions.

• Kinesthetic Learners: Take things apart, teach others through demonstration, and walk around while studying.

Step 4: Optimize for Retention and Recall

Memorizing something today is nice, but if you forget it by next Tuesday, what’s the point? Retention and recall are the real keys to learning success. That’s where the ARR method (Acquisition, Retention, and Recall) comes in. Here’s how you can apply it:

• Acquisition: Learn the new material in a way that suits your style (reading, listening, watching, doing).

• Retention: Reinforce it by using memory techniques like spaced repetition, visualization, or storytelling.

• Recall: Test yourself regularly—self-quizzing, teaching someone else, or applying the knowledge in real situations works best.

Step 5: Ditch the One-Size-Fits-All Approach

If you’ve been learning the way someone else told you to, but it feels like slogging through knee-deep mud, change it up. There’s no shame in needing to move around while reading, in preferring to listen rather than take notes, or in drawing stick figures to make sense of quantum physics. The world is full of people who never figured out how to learn properly, and they suffer for it. But you don’t have to.

Final Thought: Master Learning, Master Life

Once you figure out how you learn best, you don’t just get better at studying—you get better at everything. Whether you’re picking up a new skill, building a business, or just trying to remember your spouse’s birthday (highly recommended), understanding your best learning method gives you a serious advantage.

So take the time to discover your learning style. Your future self will thank you.

Citations

1. Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., & Bjork, R. (2008). Learning Styles: Concepts and Evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 9(3), 105-119. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01038.x

2. Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving Students' Learning With Effective Learning Techniques. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1529100612453266

3. Brown, P. C., Roediger, H. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. Belknap Press. https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674729018