There are different styles a student can use to study and learn. Although most have used the procrastination style, which was not covered on the VARK questionnaire, consisting of all day and night cramming before the test. Everybody knows that the procrastination style is one of the worst ways to study and comes with the stress and anxiety. After taking the VARK questionnaire the style that best fit my study habits was kinesthetic. Kinesthetic learning revolves around hands on approach. Also known as physical learners they need to touch, feel, handle things trying things for themselves demonstrations are not always beneficial they would rather learn from trial and error. Unfortunately due to the need to touch and handle new ideas instead of reading some physical learners are mislabeled as having attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) (Filess, 2009). Using your senses and gathering knowledge from experiences rather than simply reading or taking notes (“Kinesthetic,” 2011).
Visual perceptions, studies show, provide the primary role in kinesthetic learning. Visual perceptions create the greatest impact on teaching us as children how to read. When we are in the preschool stage we perceive visual stimuli as a whole. It is not until we are at the school age stage where we notice more details in pictures allowing us to differentiate and integrate both the picture and its detail allowing the brain to recognize different shapes and letters. This provides us the ability to read more complex words and noticing differences between two similar letters like “b” and “d” (Edelman, Mandle, C. (2010) pg. 520). Through trial and error and writing down examples that fit instructor’s life experiences it is easier to write down an example or case study instead of a page of notes for kinesthetic learners. Going on field trips or in the clinical setting is where it is easier to soak in most of their information. While taking test or answering questions we apply those experiences to answer tough questions. When I am studying, even though I use more of a kinesthetic learning style it is also beneficial to mix in some of the other styles to build onto notes and experiences. While working in the emergency room as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and going through nursing school it was easy to picture the information in my head by touching, and using equipment, listening how nurses and physicians talk to patients discussing different pathologies of diseases.
Taking small notes at work and then researching the information when I got home would allow me to put a picture or experience to that disease and how that patient was presenting. Reading just comes easier when you have seen what you are reading about. While working or attending clinical at hospitals nurses would ask questions and explain rationales to answers throughout the day like why are you giving that medication, and what do you think will happen when you administer it. This allowed me to become more involved and get me out of the habit of not just doing something because that’s what was ordered, but asking why. This allowed communication to patients and families to flow smoothly when they would ask the same questions, presenting to them a competent nurse. Getting into study groups was another way that I could bounce ideas and ask questions in difficult subjects. Sometimes it takes another persons perspective to grasp a concept that would be hard to understand. During study groups there would also be another kinesthetic learner who would have their own experiences and case studies and by sharing stories and educating each other is one of the best ways to absorb information. An example of what a kinesthetic learning strategy would be is that you have all the other strategies visual, aural, reading and writing; apply those learning techniques to starting an intravenous line (IV). You can read, watch, write about starting the IV, but the best way to learn about it and how to perform the task is by touching, feeling, watching what happens when you insert or trouble shooting some of the complications.
The styles that I use are basically identical to other kinesthetic learning techniques. I enjoy being in the clinical setting and performing on the job training. Clinical or lab time is more important to me, and is easier to remember and apply to tests and other life experiences compared to any reading or aural style. Being an extern in the emergency room while going through nursing school allowed me to practice the skills that I learned about and performed in lab making it easier to transition from student nurse to new graduate. Being a nurse you can never stop learning. Nursing and healthcare in general is continually changing every year with new evidence based practice, medications, and technologies. This is why it is important to know your preferred learning styles and how to improve them. Some changes that I could make to better fit my study habits are to first never stop questioning. When the program was over and I passed my NCLEX it was easy to get confortable with just working. One way I can improve my study habits is to set a goal that I need to learn/memorize at least five new educational objectives a day while working. Writing them down and researching them would allow me to progress my education and knowledge while at the same time not overwhelming me at work. I am already part of the Emergency Nurse Association (ENA) and have been studying for my certified emergency nurse (CEN) for the past two months. The studying is going great, but the problem is that when you are in school and enrolled in a class you know when the test date is and how much to study before you take it.
It is a little intimidating to sign up and take a test especially when you have a bunch of money on the line. So another change that I would make to my studying habit is set a date about two weeks from now to take the test. Set aside at least 10 hours a week to go over case studies and test questions this would allow me to feel more confident about taking the test and give me a deadline to complete the certification. Utilizing the doctors and staff that I work with is another change I would make to my studying habits. Having a wealth of knowledge surrounding me: doctors, veteran nurses, respiratory therapists, that could help me when I have questions and would be able to provide resources which would help me succeed. Working and going to school allows me to use the kinesthetic learning strategy as one of my strongest advantages and allows me to stay passionate about my career.
References
Filess, S. (2009). What it means to be a kinesthetic learner. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Ed_Keep_Your_Eye_Ball/ VARK a guide to learning styles. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=kinesthetic Edelman, Mandle, C. (2010). Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span (7th ed). Mosby. Retrieved from http://pageburstls.elsevier.com/books/9780323056625/id/B9780323056625000206_s0120
