HOW TO MAXIMISE LEARNING FROM CLASS
The pace of university courses is quick, lectures are packed with information, and
they become more intense as the semester progresses. It is crucial to keep up and not
lag behind. Here are some suggestions to maximize from your lectures:
PREPARE
Preparation takes place at home. To be prepared for a lecture involves being mentally,
physically, and emotionally ready, instead of simply attending it. Therefore, make
sure to eat, as hunger and stress can hinder learning. Moreover, it could result in a
mental block that causes you to overlook crucial details shared by the lecturer.
Remember to bring all necessary supplies like pens, pencils, notebook, highlighter,
sticky notes, and so on to the lecture.
Why prepare?
For more effective listening
★ You gain a general feel for the topic – a sense of
what to expect.
★ You can then follow more easily.
★ You know what to listen out for.
★ You can bring questions and spot the answers to
these more easily.
★ It is easier to take notes in class: you have a better
sense of what is relevant and what not to note.
★ You have better recall of the most salient material
later.
For easier participation
Many courses require active participation in taught sessions based on work prepared
in advance. You are set tasks to do or it may just be assumed that you will read
around the subject in advance.
★ You have greater confidence about joining in.
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★ You can follow the material more easily in class.
★ You can formulate questions to guide and focus learning in class.
How to Prepare
Form an overview. Check the topics which are scheduled to come up in class over
the next 2–3 weeks. Browse the topic online or in one or more key text books
recommended by your lecturer or Module Descriptor just to gain a feel for the
material that will be covered. Look at the headings within chapters to get a sense of
the content, or read opening or closing paragraphs. Jot down your own outline and
any early questions that you have.Check for specialist vocabulary. Look up specialist
or technical terms you do not understand. Create a personal ‘glossary’ or dictionary
for easy checks and to learn them. Check for concepts and approaches. Look out for
ideas, concepts, theories and approaches that are new to you and make a note of these.
Who developed these, and when and why? Why are they significant? If names keep
re-appearing in the literature, Google them. Complete any set work, if your tutors
have provided exercises or other activities to do in advance. Make sure you take these
and the work you have done to class, or can access them there. Make a list of material
to watch out for and jot down questions about this to focus your listening. Leave
space to jot down answers under each question either during or after the lecture.
Do the readings before class. Get ready for the lecture and familiarize yourself with
the topics that will be covered. Familiarize yourself with the main classifications and
titles, and determine in advance what will carry the most significance. This will assist
you in making notes. Furthermore, lecturers give out textbook readings with a
purpose; they typically discuss the same topics as the lecture, although the
explanation is presented in a slightly unique manner. Receiving a clarification before
reading helps in reinforcing the knowledge and gaining a deeper comprehension. The
topic is usually less daunting when you have already reviewed it.
GET TO CLASS EARLY AND REVIEW NOTES FROM THE PREVIOUS
CLASS.
Reading your notes will put all information from the previous class into your short
term memory, and you will be more likely to understand the material that builds on it.
Additionally, if you get in the habit of reading notes before every class, the
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information is more likely to go into your long-term memory, so that you can access it
on tests and exams.
SIT TOWARD THE FRONT, IN THE MIDDLE
Increase your odds of hearing the lecturer and seeing the board by positioning
yourself for the best possible outcome. Squinting consumes precious time. The
lectures go by quickly, and the content continues to progress, so if you miss some
information, you could become confused.
MAINTAIN YOUR FOCUS IN CLASS
Don’t miss out on important learning. Put all distractions aside; personal messages,
texts, work, thoughts, plans, etc. You may be asked to use devices or phones for class.
If so, consider using an app that blocks out internet distractions. Mentally challenge
what you hear, to help you focus and to aid recall: e.g. ‘Is this always the case?’
‘Is it really representative?’ ‘But why?’
MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS
Turn off your phone and put it away. Do not sit beside friends. If your mind wanders,
you might miss something important, and you will struggle to get back into the flow
of the class.
DO NOT TAKE TOO MANY NOTES
If you have already completed the readings, then you will have an idea of what is
important, so you can be clever in your note-taking. Write down what is most
important, and not everything the lecturer says. Make sure that you follow along as
well, and try to understand as the lecturer lectures.
DO NOT MISS CLASSES, AND CATCH UP WITH NOTES
Of course, the best way to fall behind is to miss a class. If you do have to miss a
class, make sure that you copy down the class notes, and ask questions to understand
the material.
ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED HELP, AND GET ALL QUESTIONS
ANSWERED
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No matter how much effort we put in, comprehending every detail in a lecture is
impossible. If you encounter information you do not comprehend, do not hesitate to
ask questions. Continue to inquire until you grasp it. You have the option to inquire
during class, speak to your lecturer/tutor during office hours, or seek assistance from
your classmates. Ensure you seek assistance promptly and work to understand the
material thoroughly in order to have a strong foundation for future learning.
IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE NEVER TO FALL BEHIND
At some point, everyone will have to seek assistance. To make sure you have a clear
understanding of all the information, it is important to seek input from various
sources. If the lecturer's explanation was hard to understand, perhaps another person
can simplify the problem in an alternative manner. Consult with classmates or tutors.
HOW TO TAKE DOWN NOTES DURING LECTURES
As a student, there is a significant amount of effort required due to numerous lectures,
readings, essays, reports, and presentations. Therefore, we are compelled to absorb as
many facts as we can, seizing the overwhelming flow of information directed towards
us. Below are a few useful pointers for identifying the key points in lectures:
1. You cannot write down every word
A lecture is not about copying down every word the lecturer says, it's not a dictation
task. Take note of important points, arguments, and themes during the lectures.
2. Pay Attention
Daydreaming during lectures and missing important points is a common occurrence
because it is so easy. Make sure to get enough rest before your lectures to avoid
falling asleep during class. Some people drink coffee before class to stay awake,
while others opt for chewing gum. Pay close attention to the lecturer's examples when
they are used to clarify a point. At times, using examples can aid in retaining the point
for future reference.
3. Underline, Highlight and Capitalise
Lecturers frequently emphasize particular words or phrases. Highlighting these words
on your notepad is crucial to emphasize their importance. Using these terms in your
group discussions can also be helpful for becoming accustomed to them.
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4. Use Shorthand (Abbreviations)
To make up lost time, certain words must be written briefly yet clearly. Therefore,
dedicate some time to develop a shorthand code that suits your preferences. For
instance, using '2' instead of 'to', 'too', and 'two', or 'da' instead of 'the'; 'w/' for 'with',
btw for 'between', etc.
5. Put distractions away
It could be beneficial to disable your Wifi while in class to prevent being interrupted
by messages from WhatsApp or Facebook. Remember to switch your phone to silent
mode and avoid using headphones or earpieces!
6. Be Comfortable
Make sure to arrive on time for your classes and select a comfortable seat. Students
are frequently discouraged when their preferred spot in the lecture hall is already
occupied. Select a location that allows you to feel at ease and engaged in the lecture.
7. Ask questions when confused
Do not simply jot down concepts you do not grasp. Request further explanation when
you are unsure. If you are unhappy, you have the option to talk to the lecturer for
more understanding at break times, after the lecture, or during Office Hours.
8. Share and compare notes with classmates
According to the famous saying, it's better to have two heads than one. It is beneficial
to take the time to exchange information with your classmates and update your own
notes accordingly, as well as help them do the same. They could have learned some
significant information that you missed.
9. Air your opinion
Not all lectures are one-sided. At times, lecturers pose questions to students or request
their reactions. Do not miss out. Share how the topic connects to your previous
knowledge or experiences and give your own thoughts on it. The workshops and
lectures also provide additional space for individual contemplation of the topic. They
help with analyzing important points and discussing topics brought up in the lecture.
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You are welcome to provide feedback on the presentation and present your own
perspective. According to George Wald, "A lecture is actually more like a discussion
than most people think."
ACADEMIC LISTENING STRATEGIES
The fast pace, variety across disciplines, dynamic nature with student discussions, and
diverse lecturer styles make university lectures challenging. Your lecturer might
combine words, use unfamiliar spellings, include "uh" in their sentences, talk at
different speeds, or suddenly begin sentences again. Knowing what to anticipate and
what to pay attention to can make comprehending lectures simpler. Below are typical
features of lectures and methods for enhancing listening skills:
Listening involves two different processes. Listening from a top-down approach
utilizes prior knowledge and situational context to help understand words. Bottom-up
listening involves using individual sounds, words, and smaller elements to construct
meaning. Listening only for the main idea without paying attention to the specifics is
just as inefficient as attempting to comprehend every word your professor utters.
Top-down listening strategies
Before lecture, review and predict lecture topics
Examine the specified reading material.
Think about how the new information will connect to the material covered in past
lectures.
While in class, pinpoint the structure of the organization (for example,
problem/solution, literature review, etc.)
Take into consideration the quantity of primary subjects being addressed and the
manner in which they are interconnected.
Pay attention to words that start, sum up, or change the subject.
After lecture, continue to engage with the topic
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Check your notes for any missing information.
Seek assistance from friends or attend office hours for clarification on any
information you may have missed.
Bottom-up listening strategies
Focus on stressed words, repeated terms and pauses
Pay attention to extended, more resonant words (typically nouns, verbs, adjectives,
and adverbs). These words contain crucial information. In order to emphasize a point,
lecturers can pause, drag out words, raise their voice pitch, or repeat specific words or
phrases.
Keep going
Avoid trying to understand every word. In spoken language, not all words are
important nor are they always grammatical.
REFERENCES
Cottrell Stella, The Study Skills Hand Book 5th Edition, 2019.
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Salehzadeh J, Academic Listening Strategies: A Guide to Understanding Lectures
2006.
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