Register now for ATAR Notes’ free VCE lectures, held at RMIT University.

It’s nearing the end of the year. It’s coming up to lecture season.

Revision lectures aren’t necessarily for everybody, but there are heaps of benefits. You can use them to consolidate knowledge, to expand on understanding, or (hopefully not) hear brand new things for the very first time.

They can also be extremely useful for advice further to the syllabus itself. Stuff like how to best study, how to remember information, exam tips and tricks and so on.

But how do you make the most of revision lectures?

BEFORE THE LECTURE

There’s not much you have to do before the lecture, really. Just make sure you come prepared.

You might like to bring a laptop, a notepad, pens, water and snacks. And perhaps a jumper, too – just in case the lecture theatre is a little chilly!

Otherwise, all you need to do is turn up on time.

DURING THE LECTURE

Different people approach lectures in different ways. This is also true for uni lectures.

You’ll see some people taking notes profusely (me), and others not taking any notes at all.

Is there an inherently better method? No, not at all.

It’s simply the case that people learn in different ways. For me, writing stuff down has always been helpful. I’d basically write down what I thought were all the key points, and focus pretty intently on those notes.

I even had a system: blue for content, black for questions about the content (or other thoughts), and red for reminders to myself of things I had to do.

Register now for ATAR Notes’ free VCE lectures, held at RMIT University.

For other people, that would be dreadful. I have friends who literally would not take a single note, but learn heaps from a lecture just by absorbing information.

It’s up to you – just do what feels natural.

For me, that meant no laptop; I took all my notes by hand. If nothing else, this meant I was less inclined to be distracted.

The way I see it, a lecture is an investment of time – so it simply wouldn’t make sense using that time to scroll through Facebook.

If you think you’ll be easily distracted, sit at the front of the lecture. Put your phone on silent (something you should do in lectures regardless!). Disconnect from WiFi if you’re using your laptop.

Work to your strengths, but also endeavour to avoid your weaknesses.

AFTER THE LECTURE

After the lecture, try not to forget that the whole thing happened – that would be silly.

Use the chance to consolidate what you covered. You might like to make summaries, for example.

I found that if I could get everything from the lecture onto one page, I was doing pretty well – and that one page document was great for revision later in the year.

Download the slides (you’ll have access to all the slides if you come to the ATAR Notes lectures) and work from there.

The first 72 hours after the lecture is also probably peak time to add to those notes – basically, acting on those red “things I have to do” notes you made to yourself during the lecture.

Perhaps most importantly, though, ask questions. If you’re unsure of a particular concept, ask the lecturer.

There will be time both during and after the lecture where you can mingle, and speak with your lecturers. Ask them to clarify a concept, ask them how they studied for exams – whatever you want.

An unasked question is simply wasted potential. And at this time of year, you don’t want potential to be untapped.

Register now for ATAR Notes’ free VCE lectures, held at RMIT University.