AFTER THE LAB • Share resources, information and study notes

• Share and distribute the workload

• Go over your notes the same way as you do • Discuss assignment and exam strategies
after lectures • Motivate each other
• Test and correct one another
• Integrate your tutorial notes, lecture notes • Peer support and encouragement.
and lab results
STARTING A STUDY GROUP
• Make summary notes for the section of
work.
LECTURES,
• It is important to study with a group of
friends you work well with and set regular TUTORIALS,
SEMINARS times throughout the week when you can get
together to study SEMINARS, LABS &
• Make sure that the members of the group are
Seminars are usually conducted to give students an
opportunity to make a presentation on a researched committed to the study group - if they are STUDY GROUPS
topic to the rest of the class. For information on not, find someone else
giving a presentation, consult the brochure: • Always set ground rules During your career as a student, you will
MAKING A PRESENTATION. • Set your goals for each session with a time probably be required to attend and
limit in which to achieve them
• Everyone must be an active participant in
participate in lectures, tutorials, seminars,
BEFORE THE SEMINAR labs and study groups. This brochure will
the group
• Don't depend entirely on study groups - give you information on what the difference
• Thoroughly research your topic
there is a time and purpose for them but is between these learning environments, and
much of your concentrated learning will take what is expected of you.
• Develop your presentation
place during your own personal study times.
• Create visual aids (eg PowerPoint
presentations) to be used during your
presentation
Ken Cage
• Check that the seminar room has the Manager: Student Learning Centre
technology to support your visual aids. Massey University, Auckland
2004
STUDY GROUPS
Parts of this brochure have been taken from Paul Fenton’s
A study group is a number of people who study brochure: MAKING THE MOST OF TUTORIALS AND
together and share resources, skills and knowledge to LABS.
reach a common goal. The group should be limited to
a maximum of 4/5 people. HELPING YOU GET THE MOST
OUT OF YOUR TIME AT
WHY FORM A STUDY UNIVERSITY
GROUP?
Members of a study group can support each other in a
number of ways:
 INTRODUCTION TUTORIALS
When you first come to university, you get your Tutorials (commonly called “tutes”) are less formal LABORATORIES
timetable and find a bewildering variety of classes than lectures and provide an excellent opportunity
you are required to attend. Some are lectures, some for students and their tutors to discuss key topics, Laboratories (“labs”) are like tutorials except that
are tutorials, some are seminars, some are labs and ideas and concepts. there is usually a practical component or task that
some are study groups. must be completed during the lab. Labs are run by
The size of the tutorial group is usually much smaller either a lab supervisor or a tutor.
What is the difference between these, and what is that of a lecture. This allows students to actively
required from you? participate in the discussion. This is valuable to Because the main purpose of a lab is to complete a
students who want clarification, extra help or to ask certain task, you will have the opportunity during the
questions that are not addressed in lectures. lab to discuss problems and ask questions.
LECTURES
Tutorials are source of intellectual stimulation and a You are usually required to complete a lab report,
Lectures are formal lessons, in which you usually sit great learning tool through discussion with other based on the lab attended
and take notes while the lecturer talks. You are students under the guidance of the tutor. Talking
generally not required to actively participate, other about topics is a very good way to clarify your own
than ask questions when invited to do so. understanding of the topic. This makes learning
BEFORE LABORATORIES
easier because the more you understand the easier it
Lectures generally are directed at large numbers of is to remember the work. • Pre-read about the question or activity you
students. Sometimes there are hundreds of students in have been set
a single lecture. While tutorials may be voluntary or compulsory, it is
strongly advised that you attend. • Work through the questions of problems for
the lab
BEFORE LECTURES
BEFORE TUTORIALS • Note areas which require clarification or
Always try and do the recommended reading before a difficulties you have with the text
lecture, and make notes. This will enable you • Always make sure if there is any preparation
contextualise the information given the lecture. In to be done before a tutorial. There may be • Anticipate questions that may need to be
other words, you will have some background some pre-reading which is required. Do the answered in your lab report.
information about the topic and will have a fairly reading or you will not be able to participate
good idea of what the lecturer is talking about.
• Go through your lecture notes and identify DURING LABS
Read through the notes you took in the last lecture. any questions you may have that need
Most courses are incremental, with each lecture clarification so that you are prepared. • Work through the tasks which have been set,
building on what has gone before. working with other students to discuss
possible solutions or ideas
ADVANTAGES
AFTER LECTURES
• Make sure any questions you bring with you
Besides getting the opportunity to discuss course to the lab are answered before you leave
• After the lecture you should consolidate work, tutorials give you a great opportunity to meet
your lecture notes with the notes you made other students, swop phone numbers, resources and
• Make an oral presentation to the group and
in your pre-reading of the recommended talk about assignments, tests and exams.
get feedback
texts

• Compile your SUMMARY NOTES. (See

TUTORS • Get to know other students so that you can
brochure “TAKING NOTES IN organise study groups - get phone numbers!
Make sure you know who your tutor is, and what his/
LECTURES”)
her office hours are. Tutors can help with
assignments!
• Ensure that you make your Summary Notes
as soon after the lecture as possible.