To start off, I am not saying that I am a communications champion or anything like that. In fact, being a mature age student my mind is boggled by the way that people these days communicate with each other on social media. When I was growing up we rode our bikes to our friend’s house and knocked on the door to see if they were home, or if allowed we would make a phone call to see if they were home. To communicate with someone long distance we would write a letter because the cost of a phone call could cripple the economy. Continue reading Communication with Lecturers and Academic Staff
Tag: Hayden
Asking Questions in a Lecture
First of all, let me set the scene. You have arrived at university for your degree and are sitting in a lecture on your very first day. Your books have never been opened and your pens require you to frantically scribble to get the ink going, or maybe the shake of the wrist, etc. Whatever your preferred way of getting the damn pen working is. But that’s not the main issue, so I will move on.
In the lecture you are confronted with a ‘doctor’ or ‘double-doctor’ or an expert in their field and before you know it you might be half way through the lecture and the dots just aren’t adding up and you would like some clarification on some aspects of the lecture. That is when the nerves come flying in and the self-doubt, because what if you ask a question and you are the only one who doesn’t understand?
After the millions of self-doubt thoughts are in your head, you need to realise that you are not alone. The chances are that most people in the lecturer are feeling the same way as you and are in the same boat and don’t want to ask the question either. So as you are paying for your degree, you really need to take charge and ask the questions, because if it helps you understand the topic then it is helping you get your degree.
From my experience, most lecturers love being asked questions for a few reasons. It shows the lecturer that you are paying attention and are not on Facebook or Google. It also shows that you care about your studies and want to really understand the content being delivered. These two aspects of paying attention and caring are really good qualities to have and could come in handy if something happens and you need an extension and the lecturer knows you have these qualities.
I personally ask questions in all my lectures and I find that this either confirms that I am on the right track or bumps me back on the right track if my thinking was a little off. Lecturers are people too and they want to give you the information you need to be able to do well in the class, and if this is not the case then ask the questions that need to be asked. But always be mindful of when a lecturer is short on time and says please hold all questions to the end.
So get out there, ask questions and even challenge lecturers, as this is the way we all learn and you will benefit from the experience.
– Hayden
Unraveling the Mysterious Classroom Numbers: Churchill Edition
Calling all new students, new to Churchill campus students and also students like me with bad memories. This is one blog you don’t want to miss. This is the most valuable piece of information you will receive about Federation University Churchill Campus, it is more important than breathing. Well, maybe not, but it is very important.
Continue reading Unraveling the Mysterious Classroom Numbers: Churchill Edition