Lectures & Lab Sessions

Lectures or labs can start as early as 9am and finish as late as 6pm. The total weekly number of lecture and lab hours will be around 18 to 20. Studying in your own time is likely to take around a further 20 hours a week. The most intensive weeks occur when multiple coursework and class tests have been assigned, so prioritising is required to fully complete and submit coursework on time.

At lectures it is essential to take down the examples the lecturer is going through with the class. Try to make a note of the finer details as it is very difficult to remember them afterwards. If you have a question, do put your hand up and ask as it is likely that other people may also be in doubt.

Lab and tutorial sessions are best taken advantage of by preparing questions in advance.

Coursework, Class Tests and Exams

Academic years at University are split into two semesters: Autumn (Oct - Feb) and Spring (Feb - Jun). During the first year, most modules are assessed by class tests and a final exam at then end of each semester. You will also be given regular unassessed assignments. At Levels 2 and 3 you will have assessed coursework, class tests and exams, as well as unassessed exercises. You are usually given a couple of weeks to complete assessed assignments. If students fall ill and are unable to complete a coursework assignment or sit a class test, a doctors' note is required for a extension of the deadline or to postpone a test.

For computing modules, class tests are sometimes taken in the computer labs. It may sound trivial but many students forget to save before closing!

As part of the Electronics and Physical Sciences department, all maths students are entitled to print 500 pages in black and white at the School Computing Service workstations, so you can type up and print out your assignments. Some lecturers also accept handwritten assignments.

At the end of each semester (except Autumn of Level 1) there are exams covering all aspects of a module. Between one and three weeks' revision time is always given.

Working in Teams

Throughout Level 1, there are tutorial sessions to discuss problems with your tutors in small groups once a week. Some lecturers also hold tutorial sessions for their modules. However, you might find that the best way to learn is by going through work in teams. Simple as it may sound, it is an effective way to learn maths, and also how to solve problems as a group. As each member takes a different perspective on a question, the answer may be the same in the end, but the "route taken" will be different. The time spent to complete work is reduced and team problem-solving skills are gained.

Though it is a good idea to work through problems in teams, when it comes to writing up your assessed coursework, you should do it on your own, since copying from other students or other sources, such as the internet, is known as plagiarism, and is severely penalised.

Time Management

In the first week you are likely to join many societies and clubs. In time you will also discover many of the social places in Guildford. There are also positions you can hold in the clubs that are valuable to put on your CV, for example being the treasurer of a badminton club will show that you can manage and be trusted with money.

However all these activities should not dominate your academic schedule. Studying should be made top priority and the more you are under control of it, the more time you'll find for social hours. Wednesday afternoons are usually kept free of lectures for students to play sports and spend time on coursework. Physical activity is an efficient way to relieve stress.