Unless your professor uploads videos of lectures on the course website and explicitly stated at the beginning of the term that attending lectures is optional (so that you know there won't be any pop quizzes), I won't recommend missing a class of especially an upper level course. Even if PowerPoint presentation of lectures are posted on the course website, taking your own notes can be helpful. And your professor may emphasize some topics that are more important or explain some concepts in a better way than you would be able to understand and retain on your own. Plus you may learn something from questions your classmates ask.
Books can be self-explanatory--and it's certainly important to do all the assigned readings--and YT videos related to the course concepts may be helpful as well but consider those as supplement and not substitute to attending lectures. You never know dragging yourself to class, even if you don't feel like it, and listening to what the professor has to say could make the difference between an A- and an A. Considering how competitive grad school admission process can be, that difference may not be inconsequential.
Remember:
While you are a student everything is about completing your degree with good GPA, if you wish to study for knowledge you do not have to get enrolled in the university.
This worked for me:
Early hours of morning for studying/learning difficult concepts.
Have a timetable and study plan.
Talk to senior students about likes and dislikes of the professors and what they did right to get good grade with that professor and in that course and what they did wrong.
Get your hands on old tests and quizzes. (It is not unethical or illegal)
Always quote/use at least one source other than the prescribed text.
Engage with the professor/TA/instructor.
Class participation. Do not skip lectures use them to get in the goods books by asking questions , contributing your thoughts. Remember in most universities most professors grade on a curve therefore you want to be engaged with course conductor to help them grade you at highest level.
Remember:
While you are a student everything is about completing your degree with good GPA, if you wish to study for knowledge you do not have to get enrolled in the university.
This worked for me:
Early hours of morning for studying/learning difficult concepts.
Have a timetable and study plan.
Talk to senior students about likes and dislikes of the professors and what they did right to get good grade with that professor and in that course and what they did wrong.
Get your hands on old tests and quizzes. (It is not unethical or illegal)
Always quote/use at least one source other than the prescribed text.
**Engage with the professor/TA/instructor.
**Class participation. Do not skip lectures use them to get in the goods books by asking questions , contributing your thoughts. Remember in most universities most professors grade on a curve therefore you want to be engaged with course conductor to help them grade you at highest level.
Thank you Mirch uncle, However the bold part is something I am having the most difficulty with at the moment. Maybe my awkward radar climbs all time high when I am with professors but I honestly don't know what to say to them. Most of the time, I like to solve difficult problems myself because I find that I learn better that way so that is out. Any tips on how to engage the professors? lol I really really need to get to know some professors for recommendation letters etc.
Unless your professor uploads videos of lectures on the course website and explicitly stated at the beginning of the term that attending lectures is optional (so that you know there won't be any pop quizzes), I won't recommend missing a class of especially an upper level course. Even if PowerPoint presentation of lectures are posted on the course website, taking your own notes can be helpful. And your professor may emphasize some topics that are more important or explain some concepts in a better way than you would be able to understand and retain on your own. Plus you may learn something from questions your classmates ask.
Books can be self-explanatory--and it's certainly important to do all the assigned readings--and YT videos related to the course concepts may be helpful as well but consider those as supplement and not substitute to attending lectures. You never know dragging yourself to class, even if you don't feel like it, and listening to what the professor has to say could make the difference between an A- and an A. Considering how competitive grad school admission process can be, that difference may not be inconsequential.
I had a very smart classmate he would ask lame, obvious and superficial questions to professors. Initially I was confused as to why he is doing this. Then I realized that he engaging professors and helping them give him an identity and place him high on the grading curve. That is why I said he was a very smart person.
You can find anything to talk to your professors.
Remember what I said when you are a student GPA is the only thing you are fighting for. Even if you understand some concept to the core just talk to your professor to reinforce your understanding. You can always find an opposing POV for any concept and you can ask your professor his opinion about that or present your opinion about that opposing POV. If you have solved a difficult math problem already ask your professor to review it for accuracy and for reinforcing your sense of achievement.
If you got bad or good grade on a test , quiz, term paper , project you can always talk to professor about how you can improve it. An example you got 98 on a test you can still talk to professor how you could get perfect score or even some extra credit just to strike a conversation. Please read this article: How to irritate, or engage, your prof - The Globe and Mail
my advice to you, which is very effective, try to have a study partner and study group, by doing this you exchange opinions,ideas, and information , at the same time having fun with buddies, your studying for your test at the same time your developing your communication skills and social skills
Hello All, I just got back one of my exams and I did not do so well on it. I thought I was well prepared going into the exam but it seems like my study habits are not enough to keep me afloat for upper division courses in university.
Please share any study habits or tips that worked for you in your university days!!! or what works for you currently if you are attending a university. Thank you, it would be very much appreciated.
There is special SOP for reading I developed, mainly, it concentrates on repetition, repeating each sentence 5 times and then paragraph 3 times. However, I myself am looking for new option.
There is special SOP for reading I developed, mainly, it concentrates on repetition, repeating each sentence 5 times and then paragraph 3 times. However, I myself am looking for new option.
You have got patience my friend. If I had to do that with my subjects, I wouldn't even finish 1 chapter in an entire day leading me to flip the book and just walk away lol