Analytic and Sequential Learning

An analytic person likes to learn things step-by-step, or sequentially.

Sound familiar? If so, look over these characteristics to find out if these traits hit home, as well. Then you may want to capitalize on the study recommendations and improve your study skills.

Are You a Sequential Learner?

• An analytic or sequential learner may be more likely to respond to a problem with logic first, instead of emotion.
• If you're a sequential learner, you may feel the need to understand each part of an algebra equation.
• You may be good with time management, and you probably get to school on time.
• You tend to remember names.
• Your notes may be divided and labeled. You categorize things a lot.
• You plan ahead.

Problems

• You may get hung up on details when reading. You have to understand something before you move on.
• You might get frustrated easily with people who don't understand things as quickly as you do.

Analytic Style Study Tips

Do you become frustrated when people assert opinions as facts? People who are very analytic learners might. Analytic learners like facts and they like learning things in sequential steps.

They are also fortunate because many of their preferred methods are used in traditional teaching. Teachers also enjoy giving tests that favor analytic learners, like true and false or multiple choice exams.

Since your learning style is compatible with traditional teaching styles and you enjoy order, your biggest problem is getting frustrated.

An analytic learner may benefit from the following:

• Ask for clear rules. You need clarity. Without rules, you might feel lost.
• Don't get frustrated by opinions. Some students may offer opinions in class, especially the holistic learners who want to make comparisons! It is just their way of understanding, so don't let it bother you.
• Don't worry about not finishing a task. You may not want to move on to a new task if something (like a lack of supplies) interferes with your work. Try not to get hung up. Sometimes it's okay to move on and re-visit a project later.
• Don't worry if things don't seem logical. We don't make the rules sometimes. If you come across a rule that doesn't make sense, don't let it bother you to distraction.
• Group your information. Analytic learners are good at categorizing information. Go ahead and place your information into categories. It will help you recall the information when you need it.
• Sit in the front of the class, to avoid distractions. If you're annoyed by rowdy or talkative students in the back of the class, try to sit where you won't notice them.
• Don't worry about big concepts right away — give yourself time. If you're reading a book or chapter and you don't seem to be "getting the message," give it time. You may need to know all the details first, and then put them together.
• Take things step-by-step, but don't get hung up. If you're doing a math problem with an equation, don't get hung up if you don't understand a certain step. Take a leap of faith!
• Ask for a specific goal. Analytic learners may feel the need to understand the specific goal before they can get into a project. Go ahead and ask for clear goals if you need them. You may want to check out the characteristics of a global learner.
• You can also discover the characteristics of students who learn best by seeing, hearing, or experiencing.