7 Smart Strategies for Excelling in Labs and Tutorials

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As I sat in the back of the lecture hall, my mind raced. It was one of those days when the sheer weight of my science courses felt unbearable. I could hear the soft murmur of my classmates discussing lab schedules, each one seeming more chaotic than the last. It was a familiar feeling—the looming anxiety of midterms mixed with the relentless pressure to excel. I glanced down at my notes, filled with scribbles from the last lecture, and thought to myself, Do I really need to attend every lab? I mean, they don’t even take attendance, right?

Yet, deep down, I knew the truth: skipping those labs wouldn’t just mean missing a few hours of my week; it would mean passing up the opportunity to transform my theoretical knowledge into real-world skills. I remembered how those hands-on experiences had shaped my understanding, not just of the material but of my passion for science itself. I realized that every lab session, every tutorial, was a chance to deepen my understanding, to hone my skills, and, ultimately, to carve my path toward success in this demanding field.

But I wasn’t alone in this struggle. Many students face the same internal battle, questioning the value of those extra hours spent in the lab or tutorial room. As you read on, I want to share some innovative strategies to help you navigate these crucial parts of your education. Together, let’s uncover how you can not only survive but thrive in the lab and tutorial setting, turning what may seem like an overwhelming burden into a powerful opportunity for growth.

Labs and Tutorials: a Blessing? Or a Curse? 

Science majors will likely have the loudest voices here.  Having to schedule a full day of lectures with all the labs accompanying them is no easy task. Not to mention that labs usually come with their own workloads. It is often like taking 8 or even 10 classes rather than 4 or 5. 

I can say that deep into the midterm season, I have considered switching to another faculty more than once. 

Sometimes, it just does not feel like it’s worth it.  So much stress, so much extra work, and for what?  Most of what I need to know is covered in the lecture portion, do I really need to attend these extra blocks?  I mean, they don’t even take attendance.  Will they even know? 

The answer to these questions is a resounding: yes! 

You will definitely benefit from attending these blocks.  Not only will it refine your knowledge and skill, but the practical experience that you will get is invaluable. 

The reason we want to attend every single lab and tutorial is the same reason we want to attend every lecture.  There are so many nuances in the way a professor presents a lecture in class.  There is his inflection that might tell you something about the context.  There will be a repetition of certain points.   He might come back to, and stress a certain theme, word, or phrase, as he covers several different concepts. 

Although many professors will post their lecture slides, either before, or after class, these are just a few of the details, that you won’t be able to pick up off them. 

Although you may be able to see what will be covered during the class, small details like this are invaluable when you are sifting through the massive pile of notes, that you have accumulated over the course of the semester. Context is often just as crucial as the material itself, and you will only be able to decipher it from the professor, during class..

Because of this:

Show up

What is covered in your Labs or tutorials is much more likely to be relevant during test time. Whether you have a separate exam for the labs and the lectures or, if you have just one single exam for the entire class.  In general, these extra blocks are intended to really reinforce information or techniques that will be essential, not only to pass this class, but also any classes this might be a prerequisite for. 

Despite their often “free form” they are vital to excelling in this field.

Be open to learning

Although attending is a crucial first step, not only do you have to show up, but you must be open to learning.  Sometimes when you have a packed schedule, Lab time can turn into a social event.   Because they are often much less structured than a class, this is much easier to happen.  Come in focused and ready to learn, stay on topic, and dive into the work as deeply and as detailed as you are able to.

Come prepared

Labs and tutorials will often come with their own set of assignment separate from those discussed during your lecture.  It is important to read through and understand all the steps involved. 

• For science experiments, this might mean that you need to read through and familiarize yourself with the procedure that you will be attempting.

  • When you are reading through make sure to label and even colour code any diagrams that might have been given to you.

  • Elaborate on any definitions, not only if you don't know them but even if you do.  Use this opportunity to test yourself to be certain that you know both the context and content of what you've learned in your lectures.

  • Elaborate on steps that might be vague or to the point.  This gives you the opportunity to make sure that you know what to do next in your own words and also proves that you know this procedure.

• For language tutorials

  • Read through and complete the assignment before class.  This allows you the maximum amount of time to focus on pronunciation and fluency.

  • Do this even if you believe the assignment will be easy.  Even easy assignments have the potential to contain difficult or sticky questions.  Completing the assignment before the lab allows you to really think those through and ask for help from the professor or TA on specific problems or phrases.

  • Coming into the tutorial with your assignment completed will give you a heads up on exactly what will be done in that class this can reduce any anxiety that you might experience during the recording process.

  • Usually, the most important thing for language classes is that you are showing some degree of improvement between your first and final recordings.  Use this time wisely to really demonstrate how you have grown over the semester between fluency and the complexity of your sentences.  Using your time to prepare will let you tweak the phrasing of your sentences to get the best results.

• For math-based tutorial classes and labs complete all questions and readings for your assignment.

  • In math, acquiring confidence with the equations is vital for test time.  The only way to develop fluency is by brute repetition.

  • Coming up with the correct answer is not enough for these types of problems.  Being able to understand the steps and the work to get the right answer is often worth more marks than the answer itself. 

  • If there is something that you repeatedly struggle with, having multiple examples of the type of issue that you struggle with will be helpful to present to the professor or TA that is teaching the class.  Tutorial time is when this help is usually most readily available.  Also, having other students asking questions about a problem you have been struggling with may give you added insight on working out the answer.

Make full use of Tutorial time

The content of labs and tutorials is going to be, by in large, practical content or, content that is more difficult to understand by description alone. 

These will all be topics that are best learned by doing, either by repetition or by experience.  These are concepts that will be difficult to get through to a lecture hall housing 200 students.  Use as much of the class to cover the material as you can.  For experiments, don’t just rush through the procedures.  Really revel in the process:

• Stop throughout and take detailed notes not only about the process that you are performing, elaborate on the steps.  Use your senses, what do you see, or hear?  What do things feel like?  Describe their texture or elasticity.  Are there any strong or pungent smells you notice or does the temperature change? 

  Side note do not sniff a chemical reaction or any of the components or products!  We keep our noses to ourselves during Lab time.

• If you are doing dissections or looking at microscope slides, what do you see?  Write down a detailed description of what it looks like to you.  How do you differentiate it from its surroundings or what landmarks did you use to find it.

• Draw detailed diagrams that you can look back on and take lots of pictures that you can print off and label later.

• How did specimens behave as you observed or worked with them?  Can you use any of these behaviours to differentiate them from other specimens?

Taking these kinds of detailed notes that you can look back on later will really give added insight as you prepare for a lab exam.

Walk into the lab with a goal in mind.

Have a goal of your own, that you wish to accomplish, above the required work, for each lab or tutorial block.  Whether it is to ask a specific question or to improve a technique, walk in with a clear goal in mind.  Perhaps you have a hard time locating the duodenum or finding a specific type of parasite on a slide.  Go into the tutorial knowing what you want to focus on and then achieve that goal.

Listen to other people's questions and ask your own.

Asking questions is going to refine your knowledge.  Is there something that you might not completely understand?  Now is a great time to ask that question as the answer can not only be given but also demonstrated.  Also, listening to other people’s questions can not only give you another perspective on the material but is a great way to quiz yourself on what you already know. 

Do you know the answer to that question?  If it were asked on an exam would you get full marks? A lot of times questions posed in class or lab are rephrased and added to the exam especially if a lot of time is spent on explaining them.

Do you have questions left unanswered from the last tutorial?  Now is a great time to clear those up before you get too far away from the context.

Finish Assignments

Often, for science-based labs, after the procedure, there will be several questions posed about what you did or saw.  Even though these may not be for marks, they should be completed after the lab block.  These questions will focus on the intended take away from the lab and will usually appear in some form on the exam.

Maximizing the benefit and reducing the effort expended on these extra blocks boils down to preparation and planning.  Don’t just show up to your labs and tutorials, come prepared. 

Come prepared with questions, come prepared with homework complete, come prepared with goals!  These blocks are not just designed to make your life miserable.  They were implemented because history dictates that the students that came before you, struggled with this material even if you don’t.  These blocks were put into effect for your benefit, to help you excel in this class and the future classes that you will be taking within this faculty.

Unlock Your Potential with Our Study Skills Digital Course

Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of labs and tutorials? You’re not alone. Many students find themselves juggling multiple commitments, trying to grasp complex concepts while managing their time effectively. That’s where our Study Skills Digital Course comes in—a transformative resource designed to equip you with the essential strategies you need to succeed in your academic journey.

This course is perfect for students who want to refine their study techniques and boost their academic performance. Over the course of 5 information-packed modules, you’ll discover practical tips on mastering time management, effective note-taking, and active learning strategies tailored for science majors and beyond. With downloadable resources for each unit, you’ll have everything you need to implement these strategies in your own study routine.

Imagine walking into your next lab or tutorial not just prepared but confident. You’ll learn how to organize your study materials, set achievable goals, and actively engage with the content—making those lab sessions not just bearable but enjoyable. By the end of this course, you’ll not only be able to tackle the complexities of your studies but also develop a deeper understanding of the material that will set you up for future success.

Whether you’re looking to improve your grades, reduce stress, or simply gain a better handle on your coursework, this course is your gateway to academic excellence. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your study habits and take control of your education.

Join us today and unlock your full potential!

Navigating the demands of labs and tutorials can feel daunting, but with the right strategies and resources, you can turn these challenges into opportunities for growth. Remember, each lab session is a chance to deepen your understanding and hone your practical skills, ultimately setting you up for success in your studies and future endeavors.

To help you get started on this journey, we’ve created a free Study Guide Template and Activity Planner designed to streamline your study process. These tools will empower you to organize your notes, set clear goals, and make the most of your lab and tutorial experiences.

Ready to take your academic success into your own hands?

Download your free Study Guide Template and Activity Planner now and start paving the way for a more productive and fulfilling academic journey. Don’t just survive your courses—thrive in them!

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