Top tip
"My advice for your first few lectures would be to get into the habit of asking your lecturers about anything you don't understand; they hold a wealth of knowledge and by asking questions you establish a rapport with academics which can be useful later on."
– Stefano Fiocca, Physics Academic Departmental Representative 2021-22
Lectures will form the foundation of your learning at university. Lectures allow experts to share their knowledge, enthusiasm and experience about their particular field of research. They will introduce you to the main topics in your subject area and give an overview of the literature, evidence and arguments.
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To get the most out of lectures, it's really important to prepare in advance. Find out what the lecture will be about, and do a bit of background reading. That way, when the lecturer is talking, you will have a head start. You will usually find the lectures on Blackboard and you can often download the slides in advance.
When you read over them, think about the following things:
- Are there any new terms that you don't understand? Look them up.
- How does this topic fit with other topics you've studied?
- What questions do you have about the information?
- What do you want to get from this lecture?
By answering these questions, you will be more likely to benefit from the lecture and avoid confusion later.
Before the lecture you should also think about what equipment you need. Will you use a notepad and pen, a laptop or an iPad? Which works best for you? It might take some experimentation before you find a system that really works - it's all about personal preference.
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Effective note taking