Life, University & Everything Guide | Page 40

HOW DO I STUDY ?
How you study at university varies greatly , depending on the subject and the university you have chosen . The exciting thing is that , as opposed to most schools and colleges , universities have specialist facilities that are specifically designed to enhance your learning experience . The way you are taught at university is very different from your school experience . There is a lot more freedom for you to choose your own modules and subject areas and lecturers will not be monitoring you in the same way that your teachers do now . What this means is that you will have to take a lot more responsibility for your own learning , you will need to ensure that you get your work done by set deadlines , with no one there to check up on your progress . This is not to say that lecturers will not be available to help you if you need it , it merely means that it will be up to you to seek advice and to assess your own needs much more than you would have done in school or college .
science based subject then you might have labs and practical sessions , instead of tutorials and seminars .
Assessment is usually done in form of exams and coursework , depending on your course . Make good use of the library and specialist facilities during your preparation time and remember to draw on support from your fellow students and university staff , especially in your first year .
At university , your course will generally be taught through a mixture of lectures , seminars and tutorials . Lectures usually involve a large number of students and you could be one of a hundred others , sitting in a large lecture hall while your lecturer stands at the front of the room and , usually using a power point presentation , teaches you a certain part of the set syllabus . During a lecture it is up to you to take notes , or to record the session so that you have access to the content when the time comes for exam revision .
Tutorials and seminars are different to lectures , in that they involve a smaller number of people . These sessions are very useful as they give you the opportunity to go over what you have learned in the lectures and to ask any questions you may have . Often you will be asked to prepare for your seminars or tutorials by reading set texts that are then discussed during the session . You will also get the chance to work on small group projects with other students and to present your findings in presentations and essays . If you are studying an engineering or
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