Do you usually enjoy learning in the company of others, such as attending a language or training class together?

Align your learning experiences with your individual preferences to enhance efficiency. If you are a social learner, seek out courses or organise professional presentations through MeetUp or your networks. When you have more capacity for new learning, challenge yourself to adapt and train in ways you don’t typically excel in. If you prefer solitary learning, push yourself to participate actively in discussions with others. Reflect on the insights gained from these exchanges and the new skills you are acquiring. Reward yourself for stepping out of your comfort zone.

Do you usually enjoy watching a lecture or reading about a new topic by yourself? Are you likely to remember text based on its location on the page (e.g., top, middle, bottom)?

Be conscious of matching the learning material with your preferred mode of presentation and the context in which you will use it. For example, learning a language alone can only take you to a certain level of fluency in speaking and conversing. Similarly, studying accounting or law in a group setting will still require a solitary review of legal texts. Optimise your learning conditions to use your preferred mode primarily. However, also engage in your less preferred mode to improve your skills in that area. This balanced approach will enhance overall learning effectiveness.

Are you sensitive to sensory stimuli such as temperature, noise, or bright light and prefer solitude and silence during learning?

If you are sensitive to stimuli like high temperatures, bright light, or noise, ensure most of your learning takes place in an environment that meets your needs. Use noise-cancelling headphones, a fan, or regulate light with appropriate tools like glasses. Remember, gradually increasing time in less preferred environments can help you acclimate and perform better under those conditions. This phenomenon, known as acclimatisation, is beneficial for improving tolerance to challenging environments, such as working or exercising in higher temperatures.

Do you enjoy working in a café or a busy open office? Does background noise or chatter help you focus?

Some people feel activated by the presence of others and can block out irrelevant stimuli, while others may feel strongly distracted. Balance the level of stimulation to match your individual preferences. Accept that thresholds for distraction vary greatly between individuals and create learning environments that neither bore nor overwhelm you.