Depending on your course, you might have a busy timetable with classes all day, or a lot of time in between classes, or only have classes a couple of days a week. A course such as science or architecture will include practical classes and lots of contact hours. Contact hours means time spent in lectures, tutorials and pracs (practical or laboratory sessions). Other courses such as arts or commerce have fewer contact hours but you are expected to do more independent study outside of class.
Lectures
One of the main styles of teaching at uni is the lecture. A lecturer speaks for about 50 minutes on a topic while you take notes, usually in a lecture theatre.
Lecture theatres can be huge, sometimes holding up to 400 students, so they can seem impersonal and may take a bit of getting used to! Fortunately, lectures are usually accompanied by different kinds of teaching, such as tutorials which are smaller and less impersonal. You can also use a few strategies that will help you make the most of lectures.
Tutorials/seminars
A lecture will usually be followed later in the week by a tutorial (or tute). Tutorials consist of smaller groups of students (around 20) and at least one tutor. This smaller group is where you have the chance to discuss the topic with the tutor and your classmates and ask any questions arising from the lecture. You might also be asked to lead a discussion or present your ideas about a related subject. Tutes are more personal than lectures, and can be a lot of fun!
Practical classes (pracs)
Students in health sciences, engineering and science courses spend a lot of time in practical classes (or pracs), which are very similar to the pracs you do in science at school where you work in small groups with other students. Pracs are usually compulsory and can go for three or four hours.
Practical or clinical placements
If you’re studying teaching or one of the health sciences such as nursing, medicine or physiotherapy, you’re likely to have several placements during your degree. A placement is time spent in the professional workplace such as a school, hospital or medical clinic. You do the placement to learn the skills you need for your career.