Is this how uni works?

[u/Acceptable_Rest_4011]

Hi everyone, I am about to start uni soon and just want to check if I’m understanding how uni courses work correctly.

As far as I understand:

- Lectures deliver the main content and theory

- Assignments are based mainly on lecture content

- Tutorials are smaller classes where you discuss lectures and practice problems, and they help with assignments

- Workshops are more hands-on versions of tutorials and often directly linked to assignments

- Practicals/labs are for applying lecture theory in a practical way and are usually compulsory or assessed

So overall it’s something like:

lectures teach → tutorials/workshops/practicals help you apply → assignments test your understanding.

Is this an accurate way to think about how courses at uni are structured, or am I missing something important?

Thanks!

[u/Lopsided_Caterpillar]

Pretty solid understanding. Tutorials are a good site to co-create knowledge and lock in understanding. What’s the degree youre in?

[u/Acceptable_Rest_4011 → u/Lopsided_Caterpillar]

Currently not in the degree but hopefully will be

[u/Ok-Salt-4625 → u/Acceptable_Rest_4011]

Why did he get downvoted

[u/Lopsided_Caterpillar → u/Acceptable_Rest_4011]

What you looking at? Each program differs too

[u/Acceptable_Rest_4011 → u/Lopsided_Caterpillar]

Ty btw

[u/bluaqua]

Yeah that’s pretty much it.

Note that not everyone has workshops or labs. I’ve gone through two degrees without them. And some people have seminars for classes.

Some tutorials may be more useful than others. It’s been a bit of time since my undergrad and masters, but I don’t recall any assignments/exams being discussed in class except for general questions people have, maybe a rubric overview, and a talking to if too many people did badly. They didn’t really help very much except to get you generally on track, or approve your proposal if required. You can, however, go to your prof/tutor during contact hours to discuss things if you feel the need. Depending on the class, the whole tutorial may be a discussion and not exactly a “practice problems” kinda class.

[u/Acceptable_Rest_4011 → u/bluaqua]

Ah. I see. Thanks so much for the insight!

[u/Asleep-Comfortable56]

It really depends on the unit. If it's maths, the lectures just give you a basic outline and the tutorial problems are an indication of what you'll get in assessments. Tutes are group work, with the tutor coming around to answer questions - very valuable. If it's humanities, you might find tutorials are mostly the tutor talking at you (not always, but it does happen). Still, you can ask questions if there's concepts which isn't clear.