HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM LECTURES AS A STUDENT

The reality of lectures in the average Nigerian university

We all know that attending lectures in Nigerian universities can sometimes be really difficult. Classes that normally should start by 9:00 am would be shifted to 7:00am and in some cases, postponed till 6:00pm when everyone has closed for the day, which means you have to wake up before the cock crows, fight for transport like your life depends on it (because it actually does), and then spend two hours in a crowded lecture hall where one somebody is smelling beside you (at 7:00am), whilst struggling to hear the lecturer who doesn’t even care whether he’s getting the job done, but would become miraculously audible when it’s time to ask for his attendance list.

Lecturer's reaction after he asks for his 'attendance'

At the end of the day, you’re already so useless to yourself that you begin to question whether all of that was worth it because you can’t even understand the topic that was taught, talk less of reading it. This goes on every day of the week, and your weekend is not also spared because that one lecturer that travelled has come back and wants to catch-up, so he’s fixed a 5-hour marathon class on Saturday.

*Thinks in serious regret and academic danger*

If the major question on your mind is now how to get the best from these lectures that are so important yet deadly, without actually losing it, then you’re in luck because I come bearing answers to that question, so grab a pen and jot this down or better still, take a screenshot (we know how you roll).

1. Make up your mind to attend every lecture:

This sounds ‘duhh’ but it’s very important that you set your mind to attend every class no matter what, if not, you’ll always have an excuse for stabbing them. No matter how tempting it is to just "rest your eyes small" till 6:30 am or to wait for your course mate’s notes, just get up.

Set that alarm every morning and get up!

2. Sit where you can hear, not where you can sleep:

I understand that sitting at the back is everything freedom means, but if you truly want to understand what’s being taught and avoid shouting “What did he say?” 50 times, in less than 2 hours, then move closer to the front. But hey, not too close because that’s how they’ll call you to answer questions you didn’t prepare for. Balance it, abeg.

You after the lecturer asks the person in front of you to answer the question.

3. Try to record your lectures, don’t rely on memory alone:

Yes, you may be smart, but certainly not smart enough to remember that one example that the lecturer was so passionate about, which would later become the first question you’d come across in the exams. Moreover, some lecturers have a thing for “this thing I’m explaining is not in the slides o”. So that way, you’ve chakam- ed what he said. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

Your reaction after you record your lecturer

4. Ask questions where you don’t understand: 

Ask intelligent questions but time them wisely. There’s a fine line between asking reasonable questions because you’re engaged in the teaching and asking questions because you don’t want the class to end by 3pm. Believe me, Nigerian students will forgive many things, but delaying the end of a 3-hour lecture isn’t one of them.

Your course mates after you delay the end of class with 'question'

5. Take after-class follow-up very seriously:

It is very natural for you to not understand jack during the lecture, but it is not normal for you to leave it at that. Ask your classmates, corner the lecturer (if they’re approachable) and be humble while at it, use ChatGPT and YouTube where they’re applicable.

Go over your class notes!

Listen, being a Nigerian student comes with a side dish of serious shege. I’m talking power outages, ASUU strikes, bad network and many more issues. So, if you’re able to wade through all of that for one degree, then this should also be something you’d be willing to close your eyes to.

You’re welcome!