Its now usual, students in tertiary institutions of Nigeria and other parts of the globe would complain of not being able to grasp what the teacher or lecturer is teaching in the class, others would say they find it hard to recall what he said during the last class.
If you find yourself in this category of students, you are just a step away from understanding your lectures if you would be willing to master the three skills I now explain below:
The art of listening
The art of listening in class is one that seems unworthy of being discussed but not all students know how to listen. Listening does not merly involve staring at the teacher and admiring the way their mouths or mannerism are working. Listening entails that you pay attention to the details of everything the teacher is talking about. True, listening entails you to pay attention to the key words the teacher stresses to be important.
Listening without distraction is a skill that needs practice in order to strike perfection at it. Have you ever sat down in class listening to the teacher, only to start feeling dizzy and tired? The truth is that no matter how boring you thing the teacher is, it still remains your duty to listen attentively and let your mind be free from preoccupied thoughts, not passively. Passive listening has you staring at the teacher without genuine attention. It is almost the same case as accepting the teacher’s words with the right ear, only to discharge the same words through the left ear. Active listening involves that you not only stare at the teacher, but also take note of the most important things he feels you need to understand from the subject matter.
Note-taking
Taking notes in class, apart from the one the teacher gives is a personal practice that should become a habit for you to succeed. Taking personal note of keywords and definitions you observe the teacher stressing gives you the extra edge during examinations (taking notes during lectures does not mean they’ve been stored in the brain. There would be need for you to read these notes in order to excel well in your exams. This is why High grades are not meant for those who are always present in class alone but to those who are able to read and digest all they have In their note books). Sometimes, the same things the teacher discusses while teaching may never reflect in the notes the teacher gives. Moreover, taking the notes in the terms that you will best understand should encourage you to take it seriously.
Also, one is more susceptible to easily remember things that are written down quicker than things that are heard. It is common practice for some students to stay in class and avoid taking notes in class until the day the teacher demands for those notes. It is not only a practice that is deviant, it is also one that robs the indulging student of the opportunity to learn while taking down the notes, taking notes indirectly leads to reading the notes.
Asking questions in class
Super students are not only shy students as they know why they are in school and so they make sure they get what they want by asking questions in the class in order to get get better clarification on any issue they are not cleared with when they are learning.
Students who read at home or ahead of their teachers can also ask questions on the issues and they have the opportunity to gather more information and get more knowledge than those who do not read at home or ahead of the teacher in line with the scheme of work.
By asking questions, you may also be encouraging other shy classmates to get over their shyness and there will be more opportunity for everybody in the class to flow along.
It is important to note here that teachers and lecturers love students that asks questions. They see them as serious students who actually have a destination.
Conclusion: From the above given points, you can now see ways through which you can better understand your lectures. You can start by making sure you get your own written notes before the teacher gives his, you could ask meaningful questions and finally, you must be ready to be a good listener.
Now That you’ve read these, why not suggest other ways through which lectures could be best understood by fellow students by leaving your comments below?
You could also share with your classmates via social networks in order for them to have more reasons to smile again
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