Mastering Effective Lecture Watching: Lessons from 2 Years at University of Cambridge

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Method 0: Don't watch the lecture at all
3. Method 1: Just watch the lecture and absorb it by diffusion
4. Method 2: Making notes from scratch
5. Method 3: Annotating the slides or handouts
6. Method 4: Making questions
7. Pre-reading
8. Creating mind maps
9. Personal Experience with watching lectures
10. Conclusion

Introduction

Have You ever felt like you're not really doing anything productive when watching lectures or sitting in classes? Do you feel the need to do something more useful so that your revision is not just a first-time look at the content? If so, then this article is for you. As a Second-year medical student at Cambridge University, I understand the challenges of transitioning from school to university. In this article, I will share my thoughts on different methods for watching lectures and provide ratings for each method Based on three aspects: understanding, revision potential, and efficiency. We will explore various techniques such as not watching lectures at all, taking meticulous notes, annotating slides or handouts, and making questions. Additionally, I will provide some extra tips and share my personal experience with watching lectures. Let's dive in and find the most effective ways to make the most out of your lectures.

Method 0: Don't watch the lecture at all

Understanding: 0/5 Revision Potential: 0/5 Efficiency: 5/5

One possible method is to not watch the lecture at all. Some individuals prefer to Read handouts, revise from textbooks, or solve past papers instead of watching lectures. If this approach works for you and you can still understand and retain the content, then it may be a viable strategy. However, it is important to note that watching lectures plays a pivotal role in ensuring a deep understanding of the lecture content.

Method 1: Just watch the lecture and absorb it by diffusion

Understanding: 2/5 Revision Potential: 1/5 Efficiency: 3/5

This method involves simply watching the lecture without actively engaging or taking notes. It ranks low in terms of understanding and revision potential since you're not actively processing or retaining the information. However, it may be suitable for optional or non-examinable content where the primary goal is to gain a general understanding or listen to an interesting speaker.

Method 2: Making notes from scratch

Understanding: 5/5 Revision Potential: 3/5 Efficiency: 2/5

One commonly used method is making detailed notes from scratch during lectures. This approach is prevalent in schools, where students frantically scribble down every piece of information from the slides. While this method can lead to a deep understanding of the topic, it can become challenging in university due to the density of information. Creating a concise and organized set of notes is crucial, as overwhelming amounts of information may hinder revision efficiency.

Method 3: Annotating the slides or handouts

Understanding: 5/5 Revision Potential: 4/5 Efficiency: 3/5

Annotating the slides or handouts allows you to make the lecture content your own. You can add notes, highlight important points, include questions, and incorporate Relevant diagrams. This method enhances understanding, creates a personalized revision resource, and ensures coverage of examinable material. However, the effectiveness of this method depends on how well it is executed, with color coding, visual aids, and clear organization being essential.

Method 4: Making questions

Understanding: 4/5 Revision Potential: 5/5 Efficiency: 4/5

Making questions for yourself based on the lecture content is an effective method for active recall during revision. These questions can be written on a note-taking app, spreadsheet, or flashcard app like Anki. However, it is crucial to ensure a solid understanding of the content before creating questions to ensure factual accuracy and relevance. This method allows for deep understanding and thorough revision through active recall.

Pre-reading

Pre-reading can significantly enhance your lecture experience. By going through the lecture handout or relevant materials before the lecture, you gain an initial understanding of the topic. Annotating the handout, adding diagrams, highlighting unknown concepts, and formulating questions can help you engage better during the lecture and fill in any knowledge gaps. While pre-reading may be time-consuming, especially for content-dense lectures, it proves useful in keeping up with the pace and complexity of university lectures.

Creating mind maps

Creating mind maps after watching a lecture is an effective way to visually summarize and organize the information. Mind maps can range from brief outlines to detailed summaries, depending on personal preference. They serve as a visual representation of the lecture, allowing you to place different pieces of information within the map and aid in memorization. Striking a balance between summarization and including important details is key to creating effective mind maps.

Personal Experience with watching lectures

As a medical student, my approach to watching lectures has evolved over time. In my first year, I initially relied solely on absorbing the content without taking notes (Method 1). However, I soon realized that this approach resulted in poor retention and understanding. In the second term of my first year, I switched to making questions (Method 4) and creating flashcards based on those questions. This active recall method proved effective for revision. In my second year, I focused on annotating handouts (Method 3) and pre-reading intensively to understand the lecture content better. Additionally, I created mind maps and utilized active recall with Anki. It is important to note that these methods are based on my personal experience, and what works best may vary for each individual.

Conclusion

Finding the most effective method for watching lectures requires individual adaptation and optimization. While different approaches, such as not watching lectures, making detailed notes, annotating slides or handouts, and creating questions, offer various benefits, each method has its pros and cons. It is essential to strike a balance between understanding, revision potential, and efficiency based on your learning style and requirements. Furthermore, incorporating techniques like pre-reading and creating mind maps can further enhance your lecture experience. Experiment with different methods, personalize them to suit your needs, and make the most out of your lectures to enhance your learning Journey.