Briefly speaking: Making the most of large lectures

Walking into a lecture hall filled with several hundred students can be overwhelming, but that shouldn't prevent students from making the best of the experience. We've gathered some advice from professionals on campus to help your student.

Most of what works for learning the most in large classes works just as well for small classes, says Ward Stewart, director of the Learning Skills Center. First and foremost, be prepared for the lecture.

"Take notes strategically," Stewart says. "Write down enough to remember the connections and relationships among concepts. The lectures show what the instructor sees as the most important concepts, so if students pay attention, they will know what to focus on for the exams."

Melissa Salazar, a graduate student in the School of Education and an employee in the Teaching Resources Center, says preparation is key to not getting lost midway through a large lecture.

"Sometimes lectures go really fast, and understanding the material is easier if it's not the first time students hear the information," she says.

Meet with the professor

Sr. Lecturer Liz Applegate teaches Nutrition 10, one of the most popular general education courses on campus. Even with more than 500 students attending class, she urges them to visit during office hours.

"Don't be afraid of professors — we're really nice!" Applegate says.

It doesn't hurt that she often has treats on her desk and offers extra credit to students for attending office hours. But the point is that students should make the effort to come to the professor or teaching assistant for clarification and to go over tests.

Applegate also encourages students to take advantage of the professor's study aids — review session notes, practice exams and quizzes that are often posted on the class Web site.

Other tips

Staff at the Teaching Resources Center provided other critical tips for students:

• Sit near the front to stay engaged. That's easier said than done when there are 500 seats, but sitting closer reduces distractions.
• Don't play video chess during class. Listen. Think. Take notes.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions. There's a good chance that other students in the class have similar questions. If you are too intimidated to ask questions during a large lecture, seek out the professor after class or during office hours.
• Review your notes and add comments as soon as possible after the lecture.
• Form study groups. Learning is easier and more fun if you work with the other students in your class.