How to Get the Most Out of Your Lectures (Advice from a Senior)
We all know that lectures can be very draining.
I remember when I was first introduced to lecture-based teaching in Junior College it was difficult to stay attentive and disciplined, especially since it was a big transition from the smaller class sizes I was used to in secondary school. Nonetheless, since lectures are a common method of teaching at the tertiary level, its important to get used to this learning style. To truly maximise your learning, listening attentively isnt enough youll need to prepare beforehand and revisit what was taught to retain your knowledge. Here are some helpful strategies I (try to) adopt to learn more effectively from lectures!
Before Lecture
When I reflected on my time in JC, I realised that one of the main reasons I struggled with the workload was because I often went into classes unprepared. This was made worse during the COVID period when lectures were conducted over Zoom the lack of face-to-face interaction made learning feel impersonal and isolating. Now that weve transitioned into a blended learning environment, self-discipline in preparation has become more crucial than ever. If youre worried about time, a good start is to: - Glimpse through what your lecturer will be covering. - Having a rough idea of the content helps you retain knowledge better since youll be able to connect new information to what you already expect. - Spend 510 minutes reviewing the previous lecture to see where you left off. - This helps establish a foundation for the upcoming class. > ?? Tip: Take 510 minutes to review the past lecture so you can jump into the new one with confidence.
During Lecture
Writing down key points during lectures helps you: - Capture important details that might not be in your printed notes - Stay engaged and focused during lessons I personally liked using post-it pads for extra writing space the act of writing things down helped me retain information much better.
Be attentive to both verbal and non-verbal cues from your lecturer. | Verbal Cues | Non-Verbal Cues | |-----------------|----------------------| | A prompt conveyed through speech. | Signals communicated without words. | | Examples:
Use of superlatives (best, most, least)
Repetition of key words or phrases
Change in tone or volume | Examples:
Hand gestures
Highlighting or underlining of key ideas | > Paying attention to these cues helps you identify whats most important in the lecture.
After Lecture
Many students myself included often overlook the importance of reviewing lecture content afterward. However, revising soon after class is vital if you want to fully understand and retain what you learned. After the lecture: - Review your notes and highlight any gaps in understanding. - Write down questions to clarify in the next session or ask your tutor directly. - Spend 12 minutes writing a short summary (in point form) to capture the main concepts of the lesson. > ?? Writing short summaries after each lecture reinforces memory and helps with exam revision later.
Numerous studies show that self-questioning is one of the most effective ways to learn. It forces you to evaluate your understanding, think more critically, and retain information longer. To apply this: - After summarising the lecture, quiz yourself on key concepts. - Ask yourself: Can I explain this idea in my own words? - Identify areas where youre unsure and revisit them. > Combining summarising with self-testing ensures that you truly grasp the material not just recognise it.
Conclusion
With that being said, I hope youve gained some useful takeaways from this post! As a student myself, I know its not easy to practise all these strategies consistently I struggle with it too! But even small efforts count. Try to slowly cultivate these habits, and youll soon find that lectures become much more productive and less overwhelming.
All the best! ??