Top tips for learning from lectures

Before the lecture

• prepare for lectures - find out what is in the books on the subject so that you are aware of what you do not need to note in the lecture
• form an opinion about the subject of the lecture
• set yourself questions and leave spaces to have these answered during the lecture

During the lecture

• listen to 'make sense' rather than to make notes
• listen for 'signposts' about what is coming next or for summaries of key points
• listen for answers to questions you set in advance
  write yourself questions so you can trace answers and information after the lecture
• make brief notes of essential points

After the lecture

• read your notes and fill in any gaps
• discuss the lecture with other people
• consider how the lecture changed or developed your opinions of the subject
• label and file your notes