10 Tips: Getting the most out of lectures
Published: 27 February 2007
When you start at university or college you'll come across ways of learning and a form of education that will be entirely new to you. With that in mind, in each issue of Which Course we'll be giving you 10 tips on a different aspect of university and college life to help prepare you for the challenges ahead. As you'll probably have worked out by now, we're starting with how to make the most of lectures; when you've finished reading, don't miss the chance to let us know what you'd like to read about next time around.
1. RESEARCH
If you turn up at a lecture and haven't got the foggiest idea what it's going to be about, you'll be playing catch-up for the next hour. Find out what's going to be covered and read around it first, then you can relax and get the expert's opinion on the subject.
2. PREPARE
Check and double check you've got everything you need: pens, paper, books and anything else that will come in handy. Don't forget to think ahead if you've got more than one lecture in the day.
3. FUEL
If you have got a few lectures in the space of a day then have a bottle of water and a sandwich with you; you'll definitely be distracted if your stomach starts gurgling at you.
4. LISTEN
Sitting at the back of the lecture hall and catching 40 winks will make it tricky to take anything in. Turn your mobile off, ignore your mates and listen to what's being said. You never know, you might actually enjoy it.
5. PRACTISE WRITING
Not quite as silly as it sounds: if there are long words that you're having to write down a number of times, work out your own code or shorthand for them beforehand to save you a bit of time.
6. TAKE CLEAR NOTES
While that might sound fairly obvious, bear in mind that any squiggles you jot down during the lecture might seem perfectly understandable at the time, but read more like a foreign language when you try to read them back later.
7. WRITE UP YOUR NOTES
Have a look at and amend your notes as soon as you can after your lecture; that way they're more likely to register when you come to revise or write an essay.
8. TALK
Obviously not during the lecture, but afterwards with your coursemates. A cup of coffee and a chat will help all of you get your heads around the subject that you've just been hearing about.
9. ASK THE QUESTION
If something comes up in a lecture that you really don't understand, don't think twice about talking to the lecturer afterwards - or e-mailing them later if you can't get hold of them - and asking for further explanation; that's what they're there for.
10. TAKE A CUSHION
Optional this one, but can be useful if you're sitting on hard, wooden benches. Failing that, see if you can buy some padded pants!
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
As IEP (Independent Educational Publishing) magazines become increasingly interactive, don't forget to check out our online e-zines on the website below. You can also give us your thoughts on this article: e-mail us at whichcourse@ independent.co.uk with the subject heading "10 tips" to give us your feedback and let us know what you'd like to see covered in the next issue. Don't forget to include your name, age and where you live too, in case we want to get in touch. So, get typing - we look forward to hearing from you!
