Resource Centre: Library

What Learners Can Do

Everyone learns differently

Get to know your own style of learning. Do you learn best by:

• seeing
• hearing or
• ‘hands on’ experience?

Self-management

• Make copies of your school timetable and post them around the house – in the kitchen, in your bedroom or wherever you do your homework. Make spare copies to keep as a standby in case you lose them.
• Write down for yourself – or get someone to help you if this is easier – the dates and times of everything: class assignments, extra-curricular activities, exams, appointments, etc.
• Make sure you have the telephone numbers of a couple of friends who can tell you what your homework assignment is if you have failed to record it clearly.
• Pack your school bag with everything you will need the following day before you go to bed. This ensures a calm start to the day.
• Know your natural rhythm. Do not attempt homework at times when you are tired or hungry, or are having a low period during the day.
• Try to make sure that you have a peaceful place at home, with the minimum of distractions, in which to do your homework.
• When handling long assignments, break them down into small chunks and take frequent breaks.

At school

• Sit at the front of the class and away from the window to avoid being distracted.
• During class take notes and invent your own abbreviations and mnemonics to help you record and remember the information.
• Tape-record lessons and listen to the recording when you are feeling relaxed and can take more in.
• Perfect your computer skills; typing can be a lot faster and easier than writing. Proof-read and use the spell-check to pick up mistakes.
• Work with your tutor or class teacher to develop your study skills, especially in preparation for exams.
• Never be afraid to tell your teacher if you do not understand something. There will always be someone else in the same position as you who is too frightened to ask.
• Remember that being dyslexic may be the reason that you find school work hard, but it is not an excuse for not trying your best.
• Use the Internet to get other ideas on study skills for dyslexics.