Study Expectations

• What should I expect of university study?
• What can I do to make the most out of lectures?
• How important is reading for getting good results?

What should I expect of university study?

University study includes timetabled classes and your own study time.

Lectures and Tutorials

• Lectures are large group classes for all students studying the unit.
• Tutorials are smaller, more informal classes that allow time for questions, discussion and more interactive learning activities.

It is important to attend all your classes, including practical classes, like laboratory workshops. See When do classes begin?

Independent Study

For a 36 hour study week, a full time student with 12 hours of timetabled classes will need about 24 hours for study time out of class.

Your weekly study routine includes in class and out of class study.

What can I do to make the most out of lectures?

In your study plan include time for pre-reading before lectures and detailed study after lectures.

Before the Lecture

• Check the Unit Outline for the week's topic
• Skim and scan the set readings for the week
• Read through any Powerpoint notes.

Allow about 45 minutes in your study plan for this topic overview.

During the Lecture

Listen for understanding and make additional notes for later study.

After the Lecture

Prepare for tutorials by reviewing lecture notes and completing reading for the week. Focus on the ideas emphasized in the lecture and on preparing for tutorials. Allow about 3 hours for this study.

Use active strategies that work best for you:

• highlight, underline and make notes in the margins of books
• create a summary (a useful strategy for exam study)
• draw diagrams
• visualise the ideas happening in real or imaginary situations
• speak the ideas aloud and explain the ideas to others
• meet with other students (a study group) to discuss ideas.

At the end of the week: Review

Organise your notes on the topic for exam study later in the semester. Check Unit Outlines and your Semester Planner for the study focus for the next week.

How important is reading for getting good results?

The reading of credible and authoritative scholarly sources is critical for success. 

Lectures and Reading

The lecture gives an outline of the topic. Use the lecture notes as a guide for completing weekly readings. Make one page summaries for later exam study.

Assignments and Reading

Reading informs your understanding of the topic and so directly affects the quality of your writing.

From critical reading, you will find evidence in the form of theories, ideas and research results from the the scholarly and professional literature to decide your response to the assessment task. Knowing how to find resources, evaluate evidence and use those ideas in your writing are essential skills for a student.

See ACU Study Guide: Skills for Success.