1. Always read posted materials before coming to a class. This is one critical step to get ready for your class and know what will be covered during the upcoming lecture. If there is a lot readings, better than never, you can skim through the materials.
2. Reading is not studying, so do process the materials in your brain. You can mark the pages with annotations and highlights, and raise questions while reading. This is called active reading or studying.
3. Organise your study materials so that you won’t feel lost during the class.
After the preparation, you should be anticipated for what your prof will be covering in the lecture.
Reference: The PLRS Learning Cycle by the University of Idaho
1. Please show up on-time and ensure you are ready for the lecture.
2. Also stay throughout the lecture, not just physically, but also mentally stay focused.
3. Don’t skip the lecture and reply purely on lecture recording as you may miss discussions, Q&As, some last minute nuggets from your profs. And, only you can make sense of your own notations, so relying on your classmate’s notes won’t help much.
4. Show your active class participation by asking for clarifications if in doubt and actively participating in class activities such as discussions.
Reference: The PLRS Learning Cycle by the University of Idaho
1. You should reflect and understand the concepts covered by your profs. Don’t just memorise them, but aim at understanding the concepts and try explaining them in your own words as if you are teaching another person.
2. Do review your notes to strengthen your understandings. You can also complete your notes because during the class you may have only taken down a few key points. You can even summarise the learning points using diagrams or tables, which would ease your revision before the exams.
3. It’s also a good time to set purpose for your subsequent study sessions, for example, what do you aim to achieve and by when.
In addition, you should practice self-care by getting plenty of rest and letting your brain take regular breaks. If you encounter any questions in the subsequent study sessions, you are always welcome to consult your profs or TAs (teaching assistants) to clarify.
Reference: The PLRS Learning Cycle by the University of Idaho
Last but not least… for all your classes, please observe these winning strategies:
1. Know your syllabus: Read your course outline carefully and know the grading components and their respective weights.
2. Review assignments and activities that are due: It is important to take note of all the assignments’ and activities’ deadlines and avoid the last minute rush.
3. Log into your course frequently: Remember to log into OASIS or eLearn regularly to keep a tab on the developments in your module.
Watch the video by the Learning Strategies Center at Cornell University to learn how you can leverage on the Cornell Note Taking System to take effective notes!