Last year, there were a staggering 2.66 million students at higher education institutes, most of which studying for their first degrees.
If you’re pondering whether the university or college will be a good fit for you (or if you’ve recently been accepted!) you may be wondering what to expect. If that sounds familiar, then don’t despair! We’ve broken down all the different types of classes and what they entail.
First and foremost, you’ll probably have heard about university and college lectures. But what are they?
Ordinarily, a lecture is a presentation by a tutor where you listen intently and take notes, either by hand or on a computer. These are normally held in traditional school buildings, but they can sometimes be held in temporary structures a short walk from the main building.
Depending on your course, you may also have practical lessons. These are hands-on classes where you will participate as part of your assessment. Although interesting, they can be lengthy (up to 5 hours in some cases!) and are normally reserved for subjects such as nursing or physiotherapy.
Set in a laboratory, you may find you also have labs if you are studying something scientific. These sessions are designed to help you develop practical skills that you can then use in your discipline later down the line.
Labs may include:
It’s important that you pay attention in these sessions as many future employers will be looking at your practical skills and grades as well as your written work when deciding if you’re right for the job.
Some of the jobs you may qualify for when you graduate include ecology, pharmaceuticals IT, HR, and finance.
Whether you’re studying math, science, or humanities, you’ll often find your timetable packed with seminars. A seminar is a group discussion where you will talk about what you’ve learned. They will often last a few hours and will require a certain degree of prep work to take part. Lecturers will often set the assignment a few weeks ahead of schedule, giving you time to prepare.
Finally, you may also have workshops to attend. These often run alongside lectures and will combine lectures, group discussions, and practical elements into one.
Going to university or college is a tremendous change from sixth form or high school, so it's understandable if you’re feeling nervous or apprehensive. However, once you arrive at the halls, you’ll soon find yourself in the swing of things. What type of class are you looking forward to most?
