Go to class. Go to class. Go to class.

It's so important for so many reasons. Tests and exams are easier because you were there to soak up most if not all the information. The professor might remember your face, and that's good for recommendations and the like. You really can't miss out on anything important.

That's what I've learned from high school, and it'll surely be a help in first year especially when trying out new routines and settling in. It'll most likely stick with you for the rest of your university career.

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McMaster '12!

I question professors who say things like that. If you aren't supplementing my learning, why am I paying thousands of dollars to go to school when I can just buy a couple textbooks?

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-Stringer

In upper level courses, I suggest going to class regardless of if you think you need to or not.

It really depends on the class whether you can skip it or not. Most of my classes have very comprehensive class notes, and I don't add too much to them during class anyways. In fact, a good deal of the time I am not listening in class to begin with and my notes end up being pretty crappy. And my roommate almost always skips morning class, and he is doing just fine in those courses because he can learn everything from the notes provided. My experience has been that writing loads and loads of notes during class is just a waste of time. I go to class, focus in on the stuff that I notice the prof is stressing, and the rest of the class I'm either vaguely listening to the prof, socializing, reading the paper, or doing a crossword. It seems like a bad thing to do, but I have done well (and I'm certainly not a super-genius). Then there are people who write practically everything that the professor says. I borrowed notes off a friend one time and she had written "we breathe every day" on class notes for respiration.

You have to keep in mind that profs are just cogs in the wheel. You are paying them completely indirectly, and I highly doubt they feel the obligation to supplement simply because your tuition pays some bit of their salary.

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Honours BMSc Double Major in Physiology and Medical Science UWO '09

Get involved! You grow so much as a person while learning important skills and meeting new people.
Also do the readings. They are too easy to put off.

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1 We are from Mac! 2 A little bit louder! 3 I still can't hear you! 4 more more more...

McMaster Class of 2011
Combined Honours Political Science and Philosophy

The example I used was unique, we had a teacher that spoke very poor English and she knew from past experience that some students got frustrated when they could not understand what she was saying. She tried very hard, but she warned us.

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Uschi
Queen's '10

man you guys have some interesting ideas. I start univ soon and hope it will all work out??

erm, I think it's worthwhile attending classes, because after you don't have to go through the lectures alone and try to see them for the first time alone. going to class makes it much easier. Why study alone, when you are paying someone already to teach it to you? Also, you kinda get a hint of what's important, and what they want you to concentrate on. DOn't debate, just go!

that depends on what your study skills were like in HS. most likely though, you'll have to adapt. usually they are 50 min of intense detail packed lectures for which you should prepare for before class and review after class if you want to come close to even getting the A's you got in HS. it is recommended that for every 1h of lecture, you should devote 2h outside of class studying for the course. first year - in the sciences anyway - involves bio,chem, and phys labs if you're taking them all and EACH is 3h of time lost (although they usually occur on a biweekly basis). you have more free time as you advance to your senior years in undergrad.

Take care of yourself! I know it sounds hokey, but sleeping, eating, and exercising (most campuses will have cheap gym memberships) will help keep you going. Sleeping can be especially difficult trying to maintain a social life - do what you can.

You might want to try setting aside a specific time each day to doing your readings and papers, especially if you find you're having trouble getting them done. It will take a few weeks, but once set, it's a real routine. Figure out how to best absord information from your readings. Do you need to highlight, take notes? Or is just reading it enough?

If you're shy (and even if you're not), find an activity or club that interests you. It's a great way to make friends, especially when you're in huge classes.