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The best study tips for low vision students

Study tips that integrate assistive technology and can be used for midterms, finals and course assessments.

When I published the first version of this post in March 2017, I shared a short list of study tips for visually impaired students like me that I had found helpful when studying for midterms and finals in college. While this original list primarily focused on things like creating comfortable study environment, there are so many other awesome studying ideas that I’ve used over the years and used with students that I wanted to share now!

Here are the best study tips for visually impaired students (inclusive of low vision/blind) that I have personally used over the years, including tips that can be used for studying for exams and project-based assignments. I also include study tips for auditory learners and study strategies for tactile/kinesthetic learning styles.

Increase the font size to a comfortable level

I have low vision and a print disability that makes it impossible for me to access standard print and have a preferred font size for materials listed as part of my disability accommodations. Truthfully, the font size that is currently listed in my college Disability Services file is difficult for me to read for long periods of time and requires me to strain my eyes slightly to focus. While I can deal with a bit of eye strain for short visual tasks (and I usually increase the font size of digital documents anyways), I don’t want to strain my eyes when I’m studying, especially when I am reading math problems or exploring code snippets character-by-character.

For students that access information visually while studying, increase the font size or magnification for content to a level that is comfortable to read and does not require straining the eyes or leaning in at an uncomfortable angle. If I catch myself squinting or leaning forward, I take that as a sign that I need to increase the font size/magnification or adjust how I’m accessing content to avoid burnout.

Adjust display colors to minimize eye strain

With photophobia, I experience sensitivity to bright lights, especially bright white backgrounds for documents and whiteboards. Looking at dark text on a white background for long periods of time can make it difficult for me to focus my eyes, which often manifests as lines appearing to “collide” with one another, or appearing to “float away” off the edge of the screen. While this is often a sign that I need to take a vision break, I still try to minimize the effects of bright white backgrounds and adjust display colors to minimize eye strain.

Examples of strategies I have used to adjust display colors for study materials include:

One strategy that I always use is wearing tinted non-polarized prescription glasses, which is helpful for avoiding harsh light. I wear these at all times and have found they make a significant difference while using digital devices without impacting my ability to recognize colors.

Organize information with labels or colors

I love using color as a labeling tool and to convey information, and find it helpful to color-code different categories of information, points of interest, or other study resources using highlighters, colored markers, or underlining tools. This can be useful for indicating material that I want to go back and study later, or identifying specific sources for a paper. In lieu of color, another option is to add text labels/tags or bookmarks that can be located for later reading, or for indicating different categories of information.

Request a copy of notes and classroom materials

One of the most helpful strategies for studying with low vision is to request copies of notes and classroom materials from the original lecture, which provide the best option for accessing content that will likely be on the exam. I receive a copy of notes as part of my disability accommodations, as well as any copies of materials presented.

Copies of materials can include (but are not limited to):

My instructors provide a few different options for accessing copies of notes and classroom materials. Some instructors post the information on the course websites so that anyone can access it, while others will send me copies of information either via email or in a shared folder as part of my disability accommodations. I’ve also had instructors post video recordings of lectures that anyone can listen to, alongside a transcript.

Identify options for accessing content with multiple modalities

Even though I primarily access information visually, I still get tired of looking at a screen or relying on my eyes for everything. In these situations, I switch to a secondary modality such as audio or tactile formats that enable me to continue studying or practice different concepts non-visually.

Examples of auditory study ideas and using auditory methods can include:

Example of kinesthetic and tactile studying ideas and using tactile methods can include:

For students that aren’t interested in accessing information in other modalities but need to get away from the computer, another strategy is to find ways to continue studying while using another device. This can include:

Create flashcards

Flashcards are a great tool for studying, and students with low vision have a few different options for creating accessible flashcards. These can include:

Sideload materials for offline access

While I typically rely on screens to access materials in formats I can read, this doesn’t mean that I am stuck reading from a backlit display or one particular screen thanks to sideloading options.  In this context, sideloading refers to loading titles into a reading or productivity application that were purchased or downloaded from another source using the file browser or cloud storage tool. Some examples of how I sideload materials for studying can include:

Work through problems or ideas on a dry-erase board

I find it easier to read my own handwriting and write on the angled or vertical display of a dry-erase board, especially because I can quickly erase mistakes or use colored markers to write out ideas. I use my dry-erase board frequently while studying to work out math problems by hand, take quick notes during a video, create a to-do list or document scratch work so I can take a picture and attach it to notes. I find that I tend to write larger on dry-erase boards compared to paper, which can help with readability, and even just the act of writing or doodling can help with focusing while listening to content.

Organize resources with digital bookmarking tools

Where did I find that great flashcard set or tutorial video? How can I save a link to that practice test? What’s that app that could be helpful for this project? Digital bookmarking tools are a great way to save websites and digital content in one place, and can be divided based on specific subjects or topics being studied. For online classes, I will often put together a list of potential resources and study tools in a private Wakelet document or on a Pinterest board, which I could search through later.

Remember to take vision breaks/cognitive breaks

I’ve saved the most important study tip for last! Remember to take regular vision breaks and cognitive breaks while studying to avoid (or at least minimize) eye pain, fatigue, headaches or feelings of burn out. Some students may benefit from having timers that share reminders of when to take breaks, while others may prefer to self-regulate and take breaks when needed. For me, the most important thing to remember when taking a vision break is that I shouldn’t use it as an opportunity to go look at a different screen or application, and that it is truly important to rest my eyes and/or brain.

Sometimes, my vision breaks unexpectedly last hours, or I might discover that I need to take a day off from studying so that I can focus more intentionally on whatever I am studying. Prioritizing my eyes and brain and managing fatigue is important for having a successful study session, as trying to push through pain means that I usually forget whatever I was studying and just remember feeling miserable.

More study tips for visually impaired students

By Veronica Lewis/Veronica With Four Eyes, www.veroniiiica.com

Updated September 2024; original post published April 2017.

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