Tips for first year lectures
IN school, you are pretty much forced into a pattern along with everyone else (unless you are home schooled), but at college you get a lot more freedom. Here are some things to take note of when you start attending college lectures.
Be on time
It may sound strange but many teachers use the first few minutes to go over tough assignment questions – or to offer exam tips. Be a few minutes early and be sure to catch those important tips.
Sit in front
It is nice to sit at the back and snooze or catch up on Facebook which is why you need to sit in front so you’re not tempted to goof off. You can also see the board better and if you have a teacher who speaks softly, you will be able to catch what he or she says.
Don’t rely on other people’s notes
Even the best students can take notes that are totally cryptic to everyone else. They may miss out certain parts because they already know them, or miss bits because they were still getting to grips with the last point, and so on.
Do the reading in advance
Poor lecturers end up just going over the textbook but good ones will discuss what’s in the textbook and add value to it. Either way, doing your reading in advance means a better learning experience.
You either get an extra revision period in or you can optimise the added value – or ask questions about the bits that still puzzle you.
Ask questions
If you don’t understand what’s going on, ask. There are probably others in the class who don’t get it either so you’re doing the group a favour.
One caveat: this only works if you’ve done the reading, and have thought things through. Don’t expect spoon-feeding.