Many students feel that sitting in a giant lecture hall filled with hundreds of other students is an excuse to fall asleep rather than pay attention to the material being presented. However, no matter the size of the class, all courses generally carry the same weight in a transcript. This makes it crucial to teach yourself how to learn in any class environment, including those that make you feel like you’re sitting at a concert waiting for a show.

1. Think about why you’re there in the first place.

If the lecture class is required for your field of study, the information taught in this lecture will be necessary later on, and you’ll be glad you paid attention. Furthermore, if you’ve decided to study something that hundreds of other students chose to sign up for as well, it makes it even more important to stand out.

2. Your college might be playing a trick on you!

Many huge lectures are known as “weed out” classes for their tendency to dissuade students from pursuing popular fields of study. Schools fill introductory classes to their capacity and present material that is monotonous or extremely difficult in order to create the illusion that all classes in this field are similar. However, succeeding in a “weed out” class is a right of passage for taking smaller, more focused classes later on.. Many of those “weeded out” students simply couldn’t learn in such a big atmosphere. If you’re serious about that field of study, you have to prove to your school that you’ll thrive no matter how the classes are structured.

3. Don’t go to class only to ignore the lecture.

Most college freshmen who take lecture hall classes are thrilled by the idea that they can get away with sleeping in class without being woken up. And lately, since colleges are offering wireless internet in many of their classrooms, students use lectures as an opportunity to open up their laptops, catch up with their online social network friends, and go through all their emails to pass the time. However, coming to class only to ignore it is a serious waste of time, energy, and tuition money. If you’re not at college to learn, you might want to consider this before spending all the money your family has saved up for you.

4. The most important tips:

Show up on time, or early. Sit up front where you know the professor can see you. Try to make eye contact and absorb what she is saying. Use a notebook and a pen, and don’t even bring your laptop – the brain retains information more effectively when it is written down. Take thorough notes of the words and explanations the professor is using to describe any images or slides she may show; don’t only write down the words shown on her PowerPoint presentation. Once in a while, raise your hand and ask a question. It never hurts to try to get the professor to remember your face.

- Lily Faden, Examville Blog Contributor