In this essay I will discuss the importance of understanding learning styles for nursing students. I will also focus on the learning cycle and learning style using the Honey and Mumford 80 questionnaire. I will look in detail at how learning style helps students understand the importance of recognizing their own learning style preference. I will also provide an understanding of learning and learning theories and discuss my dominant learning style and how I plan to address my weaknesses to progress well in the nursing program. Learning is defined as a permanent change in attitude or behavior that occurs as a result of repeated experiences (Sims & Sims, 1995). Understanding your learning style has many benefits as it can help you identify the learning method or activities that can help optimize your learning experience. It has been suggested that the importance of one's learning style has been identified through studies and research into how to maximize the potential for learning success and further development (Honey & Mumford, 2006). Learning styles are unique to each individual and develop throughout childhood (Chase, 2001). We all have different personalities; so we all preferred the learning styles that suit us best. How you learn depends on your preferences. Some learn by observing, listening to, and imitating others and draw conclusions from their experience. There are several factors that influence our learning style; for example, background, culture, religion and environment can have a great influence on learning. There are several types of recognized learning styles. The basic, well-known form is associative learning, which creates new associations between events in the environment......of David Kolb's experiential learning theory. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://www.reviewing.co.uk/research/experiential.learning.htm#axzz30qWboDKMHoney, P. & Mumford, A. (2006). The 80-item version of the learning style questionnaire. London: Pearson Assessment.Jasper, M. (2003). Beginning of reflective practice. Cheltenham: Nelson Thorn Ltd. Sims, R. & Sims, S. (1995). The importance of learning styles: Understanding the implications for learning, course design, and instruction. London: Greenwood Press. Witzig, S. M. (2004). Learning style preferences and learning strategies in the critical care nurse educator. 2. Retrieved from http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv.php?pid=UQ:10348&dsID=smwetzig.pdfYildirim, B. & Ozkahraman, S. (2011). Critical thinking in nursing and learning styles. 1. Retrieved from http://www.ijhssnet.com/journals/Vol_1_No_18_Special_Issue/15.pdf