Getting the most out of lectures and seminars

As a vital part of university life, lectures and seminars offer valuable opportunities to learn and discuss with your peers. Discover how to prepare for, and get the most from, this valuable contact time

What are university lectures?

³¢±ð³¦³Ù³Ü°ù±ð²õÌýintroduce you to the main topics on your course.

They're essentially formal talks that introduce you to key concepts and signpost you to other learning materials, helping you to conduct your own reading and research.

TheyÌýinvolve little direct interaction between lecturer and student and are often based around a presentation; they're typically given to large groups of students in a theatre setting.

Attendance is compulsory and, for some courses, vital in completing a module. Although presentation-led lectures are usually recorded and uploaded online afterwards, you'll gain a better understanding of the content by attending and having it explained to you in person as this gives you the opportunity to raise your hand and ask questions.

'Lectures are an important part of learning,' explains Jennie Blake, head of teaching and learning development at The University of Manchester. 'The habit of attending lectures (and seminars) has an impact on your learning - those who attend regularly do better. This opportunity to learn alongside and in collaboration with others is one of the most powerful opportunities you will have at university, so take advantage.'

How long do lectures last?

The length of a lecture can depend on the subject matter, but on the whole, they last around one or two hours. Longer lectures (those lasting more than two hours) typically have a short break in the middle.

How many lectures you're required to attend is also dictated by your subject of study. Some courses may involve a lecture, or multiple lectures, every day of the week (Monday-Friday), while other programmes only have two or three lectures a week.

What are university seminars?

SeminarsÌýare the interactive sessions that build on the knowledge you've gained in lectures. You'll be encouraged to apply your understanding of the lecture content and additional reading to:

• complete group work
• participate in discussions
• ask your tutor questions.

These sessions are held in smaller groups, usually 10-30 students, typically in a classroom setting. Seminar sessions aren't recorded so if you miss one, you miss out.

How long do seminars last?

For each module you'll be required to attend a one-hour seminar per week to consolidate and evaluate the lecture material.

Seminars can sometimes last longer than an hour -when they do, you’ll usually get a 10-15 minute break.

How should I prepare?

Alison Taylor, library services enquiries manager at the University of Worcester recommends familiarising yourself with any materials you are given before a lecture or seminar. 'There might be something to read, or watch, or maybe a question to think about. This will really help you understand the content of lectures and join in with the seminars.

There's a lot of support available for students, so if you're not sure how to prepare for your lectures, just ask. It's ok not to know things; you're at university to learn.'

Jennie adds 'Try and be well rested and in a state of mind that will let you focus. It isn't always possible to get all the reading done, but equally you will get a lot more out of a lecture or seminar if you come ready to engage with the topic.'

What should I do before a lecture?

Find out exactly where and when your lectures will be. Check your university email account in advance of sessions, as lecturers use this to let you know about any additional preparation, as well as to notify you of room changes, rescheduling and cancellations. It's a good idea to send push notifications to your phone.

Then, check the lecture topic and how it fits into the overall module programme. Look to see if you need to complete any pre-reading or research in advance but save any optional, detailed reading for later. It's important to approach your lectures and the subject matter with an open mind as this allows you to form your own thoughts, ideas and opinions on a topic. Ìý

How do I prepare for a seminar?

When it comes to seminars, the first rule of preparation is to attend your lectures. You'll struggle to participate in seminars or understand discussion topics without doing so.

If you've followed the first rule, you should revisit, read, and review your lecture notes ahead of a seminar.

You'll typically be assigned tasks to compete in preparation for the seminar - this might include:

• answering a set of questions
• coming up with collaboration ideas
• listing discussion topics
• preparing one side of a debate
• summarising/reviewing lecture notes or selected reading materials.

Make sure you complete these - failing to do so will impact your ability to participate, which is what seminars are all about.

It's also useful to identify key themes for discussion or any areas where you need clarification. Jot down any interesting questions you think of, which could help you kick start a conversation. Seminars provide the perfect space for you to improve both your own understanding and that of others.

What should I take to lectures and seminars?

'Bring a way to take notes, a laptop, tablet, phone, or a pen and paper. Do whatever suits you, but make sure you leave with some information you can refer back to,' says Alison.

Other useful items include:

• chargers
• highlighters
• textbooks, printouts and prepared notes.
• snacks to ward off hunger pangs and increase concentration (for longer lectures or seminars).
• water bottle to stay hydrated.

While you'll have your phone with you, try not to get distracted by it. Set it to silent and consider switching on 'do not disturb' or 'study/work focus' mode to resist the temptation to reply to notifications or scroll your socials.

How should I act during lectures?

'Turn up on time,' says Alison.

Better still, aim to turn up five to ten minutes early. This helps you to locate the lecture hall or room in plenty of time and allows you to find a seat and get set up. It also gives you ten minutes to chat with friends before focusing on your studies.

You need to show up to lecturers ready to listen. While tempting, don't write down everything that's said - you may miss out on important information while writing down something minor. Lecturers often provide handouts or upload presentation slides after the lecture, so spend the session listening and writing down only the most important words and phrases.

'You might find that it is difficult for you to really listen and take effective notes. If this is the case, be kind to yourself,' says Jennie.

'Lots of tools, some of them using generative AI, will offer to summarise key ideas for you, but careful when outsourcing your learning this way. You leave yourself at a disadvantage compared to those who have engaged with the topic more deeply, and these tools can make significant mistakes. There is no substitute for your focused attention. Your perspective is unique.'

Lectures are designed to introduce topics and provide new information, which can be a lot to take in - so don't hesitate to ask questions if the opportunity arises (usually at the end). Alternatively, lecturers will be happy to stay behind - or arrange a meeting on another day - to discuss anything you're struggling with.

To get the most out of your lectures, use your contact hours wisely. Don't become sidetracked by using them as social events - stay focused on what you're being taught. Sitting in the front row, for instance, makes it harder to chat to friends and you're unlikely to be distracted by latecomers.

'Treat every session as an opportunity to grow. Don't just attend, engage. Make connections between ideas, and reflect afterwards. The more you put in, the more you'll get out,' adds Alison.

Should I act differently in seminars?

To an extent. While lectures are focused on listening, in seminars you need to be prepared to participate and engage with tutors and classmates.

They're held with the aim of starting discussions, so be vocal and raise any interesting points or thoughts you have. 'Good students are curious and open-minded,' explains Alison. 'Ask questions, listen to the answers, and remember there are lots of ways of seeing things. There is often no clear 'right' answer.'

When contributing to seminars try asking open ended questions, such as 'do you agree?', 'what do you think?' or 'did you find that too?' to encourage discussion among your peers.

Also, try not to feel nervous - the relaxed seminar environment and small attendee numbers are designed to boost your confidence and ultimately enhance your learning. Discover how to beat imposter syndrome.

By getting involved, you'll enrich your understanding of the content and may even learn something new from hearing the different perspectives of your classmates. Group work and group assignments are often a feature of seminars - discoverÌý3 tips for successful group workÌýand learn more about theÌý6 steps to a successful presentation.

You'll need to respect the opinions of others, even if you disagree, and be open to your own opinion changing as you hear different viewpoints.

As you would after a lecture, you should revisit your seminar notes while you're still switched on. Adding any thought-provoking points that were raised in discussion to your notes will come in handy for giving yourÌýfuture assignmentsÌýmore depth, whenÌýrevising for exams, and generally improving your understanding of the topic.

'Don't think of these contact hours as separate from the rest of your learning,' advises Jennie. 'Lectures and seminars are one of the best ways to guarantee that you will spend some of your time surrounded by others exploring the same topics. Don't give that up. The chance to learn in community with others means that you have an opportunity to learn from both the expertise and experiences of those around you and to build new understanding together.'

How do I get the best out of online lectures and seminars?

Unless you've opted for blended orÌýonline learning,Ìýthe majority of your lectures and seminars will be held on campus and in person.

However, for those of you studying from home, here's how to get the best out of online lectures and seminars.

Firstly, grant them the same importance as those held in person. While studying from home gives you more flexibility it doesn't mean you should skip this vital contact time.

You prepare for, and participate in, virtual lectures and seminars the same way you would in-person classes. It's not enough to just log on and listen. You need to do the required reading, take effective notes, ask questions and review what you've learned afterwards.

Here's some additional tips:

• Get your tech set up. Lectures and seminars can last for one hour or more so where possible use a computer or laptop rather than your phone. To participate your device will need a working camera and microphone. Also check that you have a stable internet connection.
• Choose a suitable space to work. Ideally, this will be conductive to learning and free from distractions. Using headphones blocks out background noise and helps you to concentrate.
• Some online lectures will be live, while others may be pre-recorded. Draw up a timetable of live lectures for the week and attend each one. Watch pre-recorded lectures as soon as they become available - this way you'll avoid having a backlog of unwatched material to catch up on.
• During live lectures and seminars remember to mute your microphone when others are talkingÌýto avoid disrupting them. This also minimises audio feedback. Behave appropriately and be mindful of when others can see or hear you.
• Discover whether and how you can slow down the lecture or pause it to make more detailed notes.
• Find out where recordings will be saved. The beauty of online lectures and seminars is that you can re-watch them if you need to.
• Discuss the lecture or seminar with your peers. Go over any points you're struggling with, debate differing opinions and talk through the assignments set. This can be done on online discussion boards, by setting up a group WhatsApp or through a Microsoft Teams or Zoom call.
• Speak up if it's not working. If you don't think the lecture content is engaging, enough tell your lecturers. Suggest methods that might help you to participate more such as polls, quizzes or opening the comment or chat box to encourage discussion.ÌýIf you're really struggling, react immediately.ÌýDon't suffer in silence.ÌýContact your tutor, book a one-to-one, or see if your university has a study skills team.
• Be kind to yourself. There will be occasions when things go wrong - your broadband might go down or your laptop could stop working. Accept that sometimes these things are beyond your control.ÌýRemember, most sessions will have slides and notes available that you can catch up on.

Find out more

• Learn more about managing student stress.
• Discover 7 time management tips for students.