As a lecturer, I have proof that attending lectures is very crucial to having an excellent grade in school. Most schools take attendance seriously and lecturers believe that students who aren’t always in the class are very likely to miss out on important points being mentioned in class. Statistically top fliers in class have more than 80% of class attendance. This shows that it isn’t something you should take for granted if you want to graduate with at least a 4.0/5.0 CGPA.
I had an experience while I was a postgraduate student at the University of Ibadan (UI) that also reinforced my point of view. There was this course called quantum mechanics. The course was handled by two lecturers – one is a professor and the other was a Dr at that time but she is now a professor. I didn’t take the prof class for granted but I do not attend any of the other lecturer’s classes. In short, the exam went bad but my saving route was that I was able to attempt all the parts that the professor taught us and I had 57 C. Imagine if I didn’t attend any of the classes, it would have been an F in quantum mechanics.
Now, going to classes is not enough, there are things you have to be mindful of to get the most out of the lectures. And these are what I want to share.
Avoid Distraction
I have been in classes where it is very easy to detect that the concentration of students is almost zero. I know that in some cases the class size in Nigerian institutions is too large which in most cases affects learning. Also, the class conditions may not be conducive as there may not be enough seats in the class. Despite these factors, you can still ensure you are not distracted. The main reason why you are in the class is to learn. So, irrespective of the poor conditions, endure. Also, do away with phones or talking with friends doing lectures. These are recipes to get lost in the middle of the lectures.
Take note
The act of taking notes helps you remember important points made in the class. It is always wrong to go to lectures without writing materials. Whenever important points are made, ensure you write them down and also include supporting examples if your lecturers give them. This way, you will be able to remember what you were taught when you pick up the note back. In addition, you must be fast so that you don’t miss any important information while jolting down.
Always Ask Questions
Over the years as a teacher and lecturer, I noticed that students are always afraid to ask questions in class. I don’t know if it is because of how student-to-lecture relationships have been in Nigeria. But it is one of the reasons why many students don’t gain anything in the class. The act of asking questions is a way of getting clarification on issues that confuse you. Any lecturer won’t accuse or bully you if you politely raise your hand and ask for clarification. When asking questions in class, ensure you gather your thoughts and be as concise as possible. The way some students at times ask questions will make you think “this person’s mind is elsewhere i.e. he/she hasn’t been following the lectures” He that asks will always receive.
Revise Immediately
I always tell my students that it is not possible to understand what they are being taught in the class 100%. The reason is that there may be some omission or oversight in class. So, it is your responsibility to go through your notes to further solidify your understanding. It is during this process that you can do further research on the topic to gain more insight. Exposing your learning channel (eyes and brain) to information more than once enhances retention.
The last tip I will give you is that you should cultivate the habit of discussing what you have been taught in class with your coursemates. During the discussion, many things get revealed and deepen understanding. It is a time to see the perspective of others on the topic and use that to your advantage. The benefit is that it builds your confidence level in the course and helps you excel in the exam. You can’t have a good understanding of a course and not get at least 70% in the exam.
