How to make the most of mandatory lectures?

[deleted446889]

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Hey all,

Taking medical biochem and the lectures are mandatory (clicker questions). Throughout my UG career, I don't think I've ever learned anything from lecture, and not for lack of trying. I just can't seem to pay attention, and even when I try it all flies over my head. Going to lecture does nothing but make me feel dumb 🙁 All of my success has come from studying on my own, whether by reading the textbook or using outside sources for information, or doing practice problems. My lecture is also 2 hours long, and it feels like a huge waste of time.

Any tips on how to get the most out of lectures? The professors themselves are great and know their stuff, I'm afraid it's me thats the problem.

 

[freak7]

I wrote detailed notes as quickly as I could. It didn't matter if I didn't understand what was going on or why, but it got that initial 'contact' with the material under my fingers so it didn't seem so foreign when I went over it later.

 

[LizzyM]

Take up knitting. At least you'll have something to show for the two hours you are sitting there. Then study on your own.

 

[Go4Doc]

I wrote detailed notes as quickly as I could. It didn't matter if I didn't understand what was going on or why, but it got that initial 'contact' with the material under my fingers so it didn't seem so foreign when I went over it later.

Alternatively, if your professor puts up notes online ahead of class, take time to review them before class. Note what might be confusing and use lecture as an opportunity to clarify items of which you're unsure.

 

[libertyyne]

Read the material before hand. Draw the connections the prof is making in the class to strengthen understanding. Try to ask questions that clarify items you are confused about in class.

Or you could just read sdn in class or do other stuff online that you need to do.

 

[Lannister]

Bring your laptop and use that time to study for other classes.

 

[deleted446889]

Thanks for the replies! I'll make more of an effort to pre-read. I already use my laptop for other things during class, but I always feel guilty about not paying attention.

I hope it's not an underlying issue I need to fix though, as I'm sure lecture in med school is actually important as compared to UG classes?

 

[Lannister]

Thanks for the replies! I'll make more of an effort to pre-read. I already use my laptop for other things during class, but I always feel guilty about not paying attention.

I hope it's not an underlying issue I need to fix though, as I'm sure lecture in med school is actually important as compared to UG classes?

Don't feel guilty. If you don't learn well during lecture, there's nothing wrong with that.
Most of our lectures are not mandatory and I've never gone, it's completely useless. For the mandatory ones I just browse Reddit the whole time.

 

[tessellations]

Most of my classes have been mandatory, and I've even taken classes where professors have banned the use of laptops in class (unless you have a legitimate reason to use one). My neuroscience professor made students sign up to use their laptops with the promise they will disable their internet this semester, hahaha. I'm a seasoned vet of mandatory classes.

My advice: preread or look over slides before hand. You can print out slides or just take your own notes. I personally like to take my own notes because it helps me to get the information in my head. Handwriting notes beats typing notes (imo). Write down questions you have in class in your margins and go up to the professor, or TA if you have one, before you leave to see if they can answer some of your questions while the material is still fresh.

 

[freak7]

I personally like to take my own notes because it helps me to get the information in my head. Handwriting notes beats typing notes (imo).

COPYCAT