Long lectures can be tough, especially if you find it difficult to stay focused or the class is uninteresting. However, it’s important to attend as often as possible because lectures are key for enhancing your understanding of the material — which leads to better grades. With the right strategy, you can go beyond surviving long lectures and actually enjoy them.
1. Choose Your Classes Carefully
When creating your schedule for the semester, consider how much you’re likely to enjoy each of your classes. If you have several required classes with long lectures, split them over multiple semesters.
2. Sit at the Front
You’ll be more inclined to pay attention if you’re right within your professor’s line of sight at the front of the room. Try to find a seat near the middle — this will also help you hear better and give you a better view of the presentation.
3. Take Notes
Another way to ensure you stay focused is to take notes throughout the lecture. Develop a shorthand to be able to keep up with the professor, and make sure you only jot down the important details. This is especially important if you’re typing — you may be able to type fast enough to write virtually everything, but you won’t be paying attention to the meaning of the words if you just transcribe what your professor is saying.
4. Bring a Bottle of Cold Water
Although caffeine can give you a boost of energy, you’ll feel more exhausted than ever when the effects wear off. Instead of bringing copious amounts of coffee to long lectures, come with a bottle of cold water. This will keep you awake without any of the side effects.
5. Attend with Friends
You’ll be more motivated to go to lectures if you attend with at least one friend. Plus, having a friend in your class will give you someone to share notes with. For instance, if your concentration wanes at certain points during the lecture, you may miss some important points. You can compare notes with your friend to fill in any gaps you have. If you don’t know anyone in your class yet, strike up a conversation with a classmate after the lecture.
6. Participate
If participation is an option during the lecture, make the effort to speak up. Ask any questions you have to clear up doubts or just join in discussions. If you have a question you’d rather ask your professor without involving all your classmates, wait until the lecture finishes or write it down to ask during office hours. Either way, you’ll find this helps you stay more engaged with the lecture.
Living near campus also makes a big difference to getting through long lectures — you won’t need to wake up early to make it to class on time and you can go home afterwards to take a nap. Find London, Ontario, apartments for students just steps from campus at Foundry First. After a long day, you’ll be able to come home to relax in your private bedroom or in places like the onsite movie theater and common area lounge. Apply now to improve your college experience.
