What kind of learner am I?

     I'm not really sure.  I have been giving this a trememdous amount of thought lately as I gear up to prepare for another run at the bar exam.  Conventional (and antiquated) wisdom produced three traditional categories of learners: Kinesthetic (learning by going through the motions), Auditory (learning from listenting), and Visual (learning from seeing), or some hybrid of the above styles.
   
     Au Contrare mon frere.  Further research suggests there are far more complex and various styles of learning than the traditional three.  This article is a good introduction to many of those categories.  They include people who are Musical, Verbal-linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Spatial, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, etc. . . . Read the article and pass it along.  It is very informative.


     I never quite figured it out in Law School.  There were times I used memory recall and I could successfully hear the voices and phrases of my teachers from specific lectures.  Unfortunately, there would be times where the information was in my mind but unbearably irretrievable.  I would sometimes study by repeating things to myself so many times I could not forget.  As much as I tried, I was never able to visualize pages and words I had read. 
     
      I've read somewhere that developing a strong memory has to do with developing strong synapses in the brain.  The more people commit something to memory, the stronger that connection is in the mind, thereby allowing the pathway to retrieve that information to be very strong and accessible.  Thus, when the mind needs to recall it, it will be easy to do because of connection that has been built to retrieve said piece of information.

     In, Law School, the fading moments of "glory" I had were during Appellate Advocacy, Moot Court, and Mock Trial.  When I tried for both the Moot Court and Mock Trial organizations, I researched, wrote my speeches, and physically went through the process of making my oral argument, opening statement, and direct examinations dozens of times over.  I got to the point where I could do an appellate argument for up to an hour if I went uninterrupted (which is rarely ever the case).  During my opening statement I had actually forgotten a peice of my presentation, but because I had gone over it so many times I was able to ad lib with something else that was relevant to get myself "over the hump."  The same went for competitions of the same nature.

     I learn new songs on my guitar sporadically.  I learn them best by playing them.  I don't exactly read music, and i only figure things out by ear on rare occasions.  I am definitely bodily-kinesthetic I think. I may also be Asbract-reflexive, inter alia.  This is a subject I certainly would like to bmore informed about.

The incredible shrinking man: Working out and studying for the bar exam

     I am starting to lose mass and slim down. Due to finances, I had to suspend my gym membership, I still run every few days, although my motivation is not as high as of late. My body is changing again and losing the shape I worked so hard to build. I will still exercise, but I won't have the option of lifting weights.

     I am uber intrigued with fitness and health.  The intrigue stems from my infatuation with the human body. It amazes me when I see the various shapes, shizes, tones, injuries, healings, etc. . . Consequently, I love working out. I go at it HARD. A sound body will help one to achieve sound spirit, mind, and soul.


     I have always been fairly active since my youth. The only time I didn't work out was when I was in Law School. First semester of first year, I woke up Monday through Friday at 4:30am. On those days, I showered, dressed, ate, read, went to the library, studied until class, went to class, went back to the library, studied until class, went to class, ate, went back to the library, until class, went to the library, ate again, went back to the library until closing time or very close to it, went home, read, went on the net/radio/or T.V. for a few minutes and went to bed. My weekends were similar, but they started around 9:00a.m. instead. The rest of my Law School career was similar to this though I could not sustain that first semester pace (especially when I saw the payoff was minimal).

     I didn't workout during those 2 1/2 years. I suffered indigestion from the campus food. I ate alot of junk food and fast food as well. I fluctuated anywhere from a slim 180 to a pretty heavy 212, though I was mostly in the middle. Mind you, I am about 5 '9. The summer before my last year, I decided I would get buff before I went to school. I lifted weights and put on about twelve pounds to reach that 212 lb total. I vowed to maintain it, but the 1 1/2 hour cummute each way obliterated those aspirations and that muscle went to crap. I changed my eating habits for my first go at the bar exam but I still did not exercise.  My weight reverted between 190-195 lbs.

     I decided to change things for my second bar exam approach as far as working out was a concern. I went to the gym and got evaluated. My body fat was around 23%. I've never had a body fat that high. I was afraid. I used to have a fear of being overweight. I was a pudgy kid until I hit age 10 or 11.  I didn't want to go back to that, but it looked as if I already had. I resolved to correct the issue.

     So, I vizualized the body I wanted. I alwasy kept that picture in mind. I found a plan and followed it, to a tee. I worked out seven days a week. I lifted weights three (3) days, I did additional calisthenics, and I did cardio 7 days a week. I would do hour long Spin/RPM classes three to four days a week. On alternate days I would jump rope, jog, or use a treadmill for 30 minutes.
     I worked my way to the best body I have ever had. My body fat was about 11%. I reached a weight of 172, my lowest since Highshool. I marveled at what I achieved in six to seven months. I have been much stronger in the past, and even had 10% body fat while I was younger.  I was able to bench press 270 lbs, which was a lot to me.  I could squat about 360 lbs I thinkg. I wasn't able to do those things this time, but it wasn't about that. This time it was about the physiqe as well as the overall fitness.  During those previous times, I didn't care about cardiovascular fitness, diet, or physiqe.  It was all about "Strength."  Thankfully, I evolved.

     Physical fitness is pretty important. I just have to set goals and a schedule. I have recently hit 50 consecutive pushups and reached 17 pullups, but it has been weeks since then. I have a good foundation I think. Physical fitness helps with endurance for studying and test taking. I will follow the 100 consecutive pushups plan either here and/or here. Also, I will work to achieve the 20 pullups plan and possibly a 30 pullup plan.  Maybe I can even get my running up to an hour instead of 25 minutes.