How to get the most out of lectures, seminars and tutorials

What are university lectures?

Lectures introduce the main topics in your course. These structured sessions cover key concepts and signpost you to other learning materials, helping you carry out your own reading and research.

They involve less direct interaction between students and the lecturer and are often based on a presentation, typically delivered to large groups of students in a theatre setting.

You'll normally be expected to attend your timetabled sessions, although attendance requirements and monitoring vary by university, course and session.

Some lectures are recorded or accompanied by slides, but this also varies, so check what's available rather than relying on a recording. Attending lectures in person can help you stay focused, understand the topic and ask questions if you get the chance.

'Lectures are an important part of learning,' explains Jennie Blake, head of teaching and learning development at The University of Manchester. 'The habit of attending lectures (and seminars) has an impact on your learning - those who attend regularly do better. Learning alongside and in collaboration with others is one of the most powerful experiences you will have at university, so take advantage.'

What are university seminars?

Seminars are the interactive sessions that build on the knowledge you've gained in lectures. You'll be encouraged to apply your understanding of the lecture content and additional reading to:

• ask your tutor questions
• complete group work
• deliver presentations
• participate in discussions.

These sessions are held in smaller groups, usually 10 to 30 students, typically in a classroom setting. Seminar sessions are less likely than lectures to be recorded because they involve live discussion, so if you miss them, you miss out.

What are university tutorials?

Tutorials are small-group or one-to-one sessions that provide more focused learning support. They're usually led by a tutor and give you the chance to discuss course content in more detail, ask questions and get feedback on your work or ideas.

What happens in a tutorial depends on your course. You may be asked to:

• discuss set reading
• reflect on your progress
• request help with anything you're unsure about
• talk through an essay plan or assignment
• work through problems or case studies.

Tutorials are typically more personal than lectures and seminars, so it's worth preparing properly. Read any materials you've been given, make a note of questions and be ready to talk about your work. If you're unsure about something, tutorials are a good opportunity to ask for help early.

How many lectures do you have a day at university?

There is no standard number of lectures at university. Some days you may have several teaching sessions, while on others you may have none, depending on your:

• university
• course
• modules
• year of study.

Practical subjects may include longer laboratory, studio or workshop sessions, while courses with fewer contact hours usually require more independent reading and study.

Check the timetable or course information for the university you're considering for a more accurate idea.

How long do lectures, seminars and tutorials last?

• Lectures - last around one or two hours, although this depends on the subject and content covered. Longer lectures may include a short break. Some courses involve lectures most weekdays, while others have only two or three per week.
• Seminars - last around an hour, although their length and frequency depend on your course and module. When seminars last longer than an hour, you'll usually get a 10 to 15-minute break.
• Tutorials - often shorter than lectures, but their length varies depending on whether they're one-to-one, small-group or linked to a specific task.

Where can I find my university lectures, seminars and tutorials?

Once you're enrolled, your timetable, student portal or virtual learning environment should tell you when and where your lectures, seminars and tutorials take place.

Some universities also use dedicated timetabling systems. For example, The University of Manchester uses a web-based system called Publish for students and staff to view their personalised timetables.

Check your university email regularly, as room and time details can change.

Can anyone attend a university lecture?

Regular course lectures are generally intended for enrolled students only, so you shouldn't assume you can attend without permission. However, universities also host lectures and guest talks that are open to the public.

For example, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) offers a number of free events open to all, available in person or online. These are public events rather than regular lectures for enrolled students.

Check the event details or contact the university before attending.

How should I prepare for lectures, seminars and tutorials?

Alison Taylor, library services enquiries manager at the University of Worcester, recommends familiarising yourself with any materials you're given before a lecture or seminar. 'There might be something to read, or watch, or maybe a question to think about. This will really help you understand the content of lectures and join in with the seminars.'

If you're unsure what's expected, don't be afraid to check with your tutor, lecturer or university support team. 'There's a lot of support available for students, so if you're not sure how to prepare for your lectures, just ask,' says Alison. 'It's okay not to know things; you're at university to learn.'

Jennie adds, 'Try to be well rested and in a state of mind that will let you focus. It isn't always possible to get all the reading done, but equally, you will get a lot more out of a lecture or seminar if you come ready to engage with the topic.'

Before a lecture

Find out where and when your lectures will be held and check your university email regularly for any:

• cancellations
• extra preparation tasks
• room changes.

If your university app or email account allows it, turn on notifications so you don't miss updates.

Then, look at the lecture topic and how it fits into the overall module. Complete any essential pre-reading or preparation but save more detailed optional reading for afterwards.

Try to approach the subject with an open mind, so you can form your own thoughts, ideas and opinions.

Before a seminar or tutorial

The best preparation for a seminar is to attend the related lecture. Without that background, it can be harder to follow the discussion or contribute confidently.

Once you've attended the lecture, revisit your notes ahead of the seminar.

For tutorials, it's also useful to bring specific questions, examples of your work or anything you want feedback on.

You'll typically be assigned tasks to complete in preparation for the seminar, which may include:

• answering a set of questions
• listing discussion topics
• noting points to raise in group discussion
• preparing one side of a debate
• summarising or reviewing lecture notes or selected reading materials.

Try to complete these tasks so you can follow the discussion and contribute more confidently.

It's also useful to identify key themes for discussion or any areas where you need clarification. Jot down any questions that could help you join or start a conversation. Seminars give you space to improve your own understanding and learn from others.

What should I take with me?

'Bring a way to take notes, a laptop, tablet, phone, or a pen and paper. Do whatever suits you but make sure you leave with some information you can refer back to,' says Alison.

Other useful items include:

• a reusable water bottle
• chargers
• highlighters
• snacks, especially for longer lectures or seminars
• textbooks, printouts or prepared notes.

If you do use your phone for notes, be sure to switch off notifications or set it to focus mode.

What should I do during lectures, seminars and tutorials?

How can I get the most out of a lecture?

'Turn up on time,' says Alison. Better still, aim to arrive five to ten minutes early so you can find the room, choose a seat and get set up before the session starts.

Once the lecture begins, focus on understanding the main points rather than trying to write down everything that's said. Lecturers often provide handouts or upload slides afterwards, so use the session to listen actively, note key words and phrases, and mark anything you want to revisit later.

'Think of a lecture as the opening chapter of your learning, rather than something where you need to write down every word,' says Dave Forrest, deputy vice president for education at The University of Sheffield. 'Focus on key themes, tricky concepts and questions, then use any recordings, slides or notes afterwards to clarify and reflect on what you've heard.'

If you use digital tools to support your note-taking, remember that they should help your learning rather than replace it.

Jennie explains, 'Lots of tools, some of them using generative AI, will offer to summarise key ideas for you, but be careful when outsourcing your learning this way. You leave yourself at a disadvantage compared to those who have engaged with the topic more deeply, and these tools can make significant mistakes. There is no substitute for your focused attention. Your perspective is unique.'

Lectures can introduce a lot of new information, so don't worry if everything doesn't make sense straight away. If there's time, ask questions at the end of the session. If not, make a note of what you're unsure about and follow up with your lecturer, tutor or classmates afterwards.

Use your contact hours intentionally. Put your phone on silent, avoid unrelated browsing and sit somewhere that helps you concentrate. For some students, this may mean sitting near the front; for others, it may simply mean choosing a spot where they're less likely to be distracted.

How can I contribute to a seminar?

Unlike lectures, seminars rely on student participation. You may be asked to discuss ideas, take part in group activities or work on assignments with other students, so come prepared to share your views and respond to other perspectives.

When contributing to seminars, use open-ended questions to encourage discussion and build on other students' ideas. For example:

• What do you think?
• Do you agree, or see it differently?
• Did you find that too?
• How does that link to the reading?
• Could you explain that point a bit more?

If you're nervous about speaking, start small. You could ask for clarification, build on someone else's point or refer to something from the reading. You don't need to have a fully formed argument every time you contribute.

Dave suggests preparing two or three key takeaways or questions before the session. This gives you an anchor point for contributing, especially if you feel nervous about speaking up.

Remember that seminars are about developing ideas together. Your tutor is there to guide the conversation, not put you on the spot, so focus on listening, building on others' points and asking questions where something isn't clear.

You'll need to respect others' opinions, even if you disagree, and be open to your own perspective changing as you hear different viewpoints.

How can I contribute to a tutorial?

You could ask for feedback on an essay plan, talk through something you found difficult in the reading or check whether you're approaching an assignment in the right way.

If the tutorial is one-to-one, be honest about what you understand and where you need help.

In small groups, listen to other students' questions too, as they may raise points you hadn't considered.

Tutorials are there to support your learning, so don't worry about having all the answers before you attend.

Do seminars and tutorials count towards my grade?

Seminars and tutorials don't always count directly towards your final degree grade, but participation, attendance or set tasks may form part of your assessment on some courses.

For example, you might be marked on a:

• contribution to group discussion
• reflective task linked to the session
• short presentation.

Check your module handbook so you know what's expected.

What should I do after a lecture, seminar or tutorial?

After a lecture, seminar or tutorial, revisit your notes while the session is still fresh in your mind. Add any useful points from discussions, fill in gaps and highlight ideas that could help with assignments, revision or your wider understanding of the topic.

To make the most of the session:

• fill in any gaps using slides, reading or recordings
• identify links to assignments, discussions or future topics
• review and organise your notes
• write down any questions to raise with your tutor.

'Don't think of these contact hours as separate from the rest of your learning,' advises Jennie. 'Lectures and seminars are one of the best ways to spend time surrounded by others exploring the same topics. Don't give that up. The chance to learn in community with others means you can benefit from the expertise and experiences of those around you and build new understanding together.'

Dave also recommends giving yourself time to adjust to this style of learning. It may take a few weeks to find the study habits that work best for you, and it's fine to ask for help if something isn't clicking.

What support is available if I'm disabled?

If you find lectures, seminars or tutorials challenging because of a disability, remember that reasonable adjustments can help make sessions more accessible. These could include:

• access to note takers
• assistive software
• captions for recorded lectures
• copies of slides in advance so you can prepare in a way that suits you.

These adjustments are arranged through your university's student support services. Josie Lovett, disability adviser at the University of Warwick, explains, 'When a student has an appointment, we'll ask what support you've had in the past and if it was helpful. We generally agree on the adjustments together and then write up the support plan.'

Contact student support as early as possible, as putting adjustments in place can take time.

Explore Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs).

How can I get the most out of online teaching?

On many courses, most teaching takes place on campus and in person, although some sessions may be delivered online or as part of blended learning.

If some or all of your teaching is online, the same principles apply:

• prepare beforehand
• take notes
• participate where you can
• review the session afterwards.

Treat online learning with the same importance as in-person sessions. Studying from home may give you more flexibility, but it can also make it easier to lose focus, so set yourself up as you would for on-campus teaching.

Tips for online teaching

• Choose a suitable study space. Pick somewhere quiet and free from distractions. Using headphones can block out background noise and help you concentrate.
• Don't struggle in silence. If you have difficulties accessing or engaging with online teaching, contact your tutor, study skills team or student support service for help.
• Follow online etiquette. Mute your microphone when you're not speaking, keep distractions to a minimum and remember when others can see or hear you.
• Make the most of recordings. Find out where they're stored and whether you can pause or replay them when reviewing difficult concepts.
• Stay connected with your classmates. Use discussion boards, group chats or video calls to compare notes, clarify difficult topics and talk through assignments.
• Test your equipment. Use a laptop or computer where possible, check whether you'll need a camera or microphone, and make sure your internet connection is stable before the session.
• Treat live sessions as fixed commitments. Add them to your timetable and watch recordings soon after they're released so you don't fall behind.

Find out more

• Consider how to manage student stress and beat imposter syndrome.
• Discover 7 time management tips for students.
• Get the lowdown on understanding university grades in the UK.