Dear First Year Student: Tips on surviving lectures

 As an Ontario Tech student, I know how challenging lectures can be. As a result, I have provided nine suggestions that have proven to be beneficial for me in the past. To assist you to get through your lectures, I wish to pass these tips along!

1. Length 

 Let’s begin by understanding that lectures can run as one 3-hour session per week or even 1.5-hour sessions twice a week. Ensure you are mentally prepared to stay focused for the duration of the lecture and take water and washroom breaks accordingly. Professors will often incorporate 5-10 minute breaks between lectures, ensuring to take advantage of these to disconnect and recharge. 

2. Attendance

Attending lectures is an excellent way to consolidate your thoughts and verify critical information with your peers and professors. Please make sure you attend lectures and try not to skip them! If you must, please find a peer you can count on to forward you the missed material. 

3. Active Engagement

Make sure you actively take notes, ask questions, and even chat with friends during class breaks to make sure they comprehend, are on the same page, and are involved—which will make you more engaged as well.  No question asked is ever time wasted; if you are confused, raise your hand and ask. It’s that simple. 

4. Resources

Be sure to bring your preferred method of taking notes, whether it be a laptop, an iPad, or paper and pens. Whichever method you choose, ensure you have a place to quickly record the information your professor will be discussing so you can leave the class with this knowledge. Also, don’t just leave with information; leave with an understanding, as this will help you in the long run.

5. Working ahead

Professors will often upload lecture material ahead of time. Utilize these resources by reading ahead to prepare yourself for what is to come. 

6. Avoid Distractions

Turn off your phone and/or ensure it is on silent mode. You don’t want to receive any calls/messages during lectures which can cause disruptions and distort focus for yourself, your peers and the professor. Also, avoid talking to your classmates about subjects unrelated to the lecture, especially when the professor is teaching a lesson.  If you miss important information, it might cost you later because lectures are not repeated.

7. Ask the professor

Feel free to ask questions. In fact, approach the professor, ask questions and start a conversation during breaks or at the end of the session. Professors are happy to be approached and have discussions with students. 

8. Help someone out.

If a peer misses a lecture and seems lost, be their guiding light. Help them out, and share your notes, as you never know when you may be in a similar situation. No one ever lost anything from being kind, be kind!

9. Have Fun!

Be enthusiastic. You’re at Ontario Tech University; you will do great things here! It all starts with being seated in a lecture and learning.  The more you engage in your material, the more enhanced your learning will be because you have a positive attitude toward your education.