How to Survive a Large Lecture Class in College - By: sily

Large college classes can be intimidating. Instead of sitting with 20 or 30 students, you find yourself facing 100 to 500 in just one classroom. Before you panic, take the following tips into consideration. You will find that you can be just as successful in a big college classroom as you would in a small one.

Sit Up Front

Sitting up front is the best way to ensure that you are getting the information absorbed. Instead of hearing people jabber in front of you about the latest gossip, you will be able to focus completely on the professor and what is being taught. Studies have shown that students who sit toward the front of the class perform better on tests and, therefore, get better grades. So, when you arrive to class on your first day, pick a seat in the middle and within the first few rows. Sit in the same place everyday to get your mind in a routine so that you learn more efficiently.

Get to Know Your Professor

Since large college classes don’t provide much time, if any, to talk to the professor, stop by during their office hours and say hello. When you introduce yourself, you are showing your professor that you care and are serious about your education. Even if you don’t need help learning the material, schedule a meeting with them every once in awhile to let them know what career track you have in mind, what you hope to accomplish and what you have found interesting in their class. If you find yourself having trouble learning in class, scheduling an office visit allows you to have one-on-one time with the professor. Large class sizes mean that the class learns at the same pace. Unfortunately, students learn on all different levels, and can easily fall behind if they don’t seek help. Don’t be afraid to send an email to your professor and ask for some assistance. You will find that they want to see you succeed!

Get to Know the People Around You

The advantage of large class sizes is that there are plenty of people to make friends with. Introduce yourself to the people who sit around you and ask if they would like to have a study group sometime. These contacts also come in handy if you ever find yourself sick and unable to make class. Additionally, these students can assist you in the learning process so that you can learn the material from multiple points-of-view.

Avoid Distractions

The large amount of people around you is enough of a distraction. Adding a computer to the mix may only make things worse for you. It is so tempting to jump on Facebook and write on your friend’s wall when the lecture gets boring or the material seems redundant. The best way to avoid getting distracted is to take only the materials you need. It may take some adjusting to write notes by hand, but the benefits heavily outweigh any negatives. Not only will you be avoiding distractions by not having a computer around you, but you will also be absorbing the material better. Writing notes in a journal is a more effective way to learn material, and it can easily be studied anytime, anywhere.

Attend Class

Going to class is the easiest way to ensure that you are successful in a large class. You will find that professors don’t take attendance when a class is so large, so several students will ditch on a regular basis. Don’t be one of those students! Even though the lecture may bore you, going to class is the easiest way to learn the material. In addition to learning the material, your professor will also notice that you are attending class everyday. Professors are much more likely to assist you if you are having trouble with the material when they see that you are in class every time.

Study Hard

Studying the material is the best way to stay on-top of what is being lectured on, and to ensure that you perform well on the tests. Professors often won’t tell you what is on the test, so reading the materials and reviewing your notes will allow you to perform better on exams and assignments. As said before, don’t be afraid to ask your professor for help if you feel like you are struggling or falling behind.

With these tips in mind, you should have no problem being successful in a large college classroom. Stay positive, do your work and make some friends along the way!

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