At some universities and colleges, only the classes in the first year are taken in large lecture halls and generally have over 50 to 70 students. During the second and third years, graduate classes are conducted in a small classroom with 10–20 people at once. So, it is advisable to prepare before classes, lectures, or a seminar. It will give you a better understanding, and you will learn in a better way!
A few tips that will help you prepare for your class include:
Go through the course outline well in advance to know what the course expectations are.
Make sure to complete the assigned readings on time.
Make a habit of reviewing your notes from the previous lecture.
Prepare well for your upcoming lectures.
While studying in a Canadian classroom, you will observe that many students will be taking notes on their laptops or tablets, while many others will prefer using pen and paper. You will also observe that some professors will provide you with notes or PowerPoint slides before or after your class. Even if they provide you with notes before your class, that doesn't mean you are free to skip your classes. Generally, they reflect a small portion of the next lecture, and hence, you will be missing a lot on that topic.
Some of the essential aspects that need to be discussed are:
Respect
Make sure that you treat your professors, teaching assistants, fellow students, and guest speakers with respect. How can you be respectful toward them in the classroom? Well, here are a few tips:
Always try to keep all your electronic devices in silent mode.
Avoid chatting in the classroom.
Avoid eating food in the class, especially in front of them.
Make sure you do not create disturbances.
How should you treat your professors and supervisors?
Your professors and supervisors are very important for your academic success; therefore, it is vital to make a good impression on them. Some tips are:
Some tips are:
Make sure to complete all your assignments on time.
Make sure to be prepared for your following lectures.
Make sure to be punctual.
Tips you can use for communicating with your professors effectively:
Make sure you call your professors by their title, like "professor, "doctor, etc., in email as well as in class.
Whenever you send an email to your professors, it is important to reply within 24 to 48 hours.
If you want to visit your professor for assignments or queries, make sure to do it during their office hours. Also, some professors may require you to book an appointment before you visit.
How can you actively participate in your classes?
All the top universities and colleges in Canada encourage students to take the initiative and participate in class discussions and debates and to share their views on certain topics. It is vital because participating in a classroom is also part of your final grade in some courses.
Group work
Another essential element of a Canadian classroom is ‘group work.' You will be undertaking many courses that may require you to work on assignments with other students in small groups. Group projects may include writing a report, a research paper, or delivering a presentation. For such tasks, you also need to work with your group partners after class.
Tips for completing group work:
Make sure to communicate appropriately with other members of your group. Listen to them, understand their viewpoints, and ask them questions about things you don’t know.
Share your viewpoint.
When doing group work, make sure to divide your work equally based on each member’s skills and strengths.
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