How to get the most out of seminars

Seminars are an opportunity to explore your course content in more depth and develop your critical thinking skills by discussing ideas and raising questions. It’s important you take an active role, but this can feel scary at first. Let’s go through some tips on getting the most out of seminars.

What could you do in advance?

To get the most out of the seminar, you will want to prepare by doing some independent study. This might include reading, completing a problem sheet or preparing for a task. Make sure you are crystal clear about how best to prepare and ask you tutor or fellow students if you’re not sure.
The better prepared you are, the more you’ll get out of the seminar. For example, some ideas may have occurred to you during a lecture or while reading. Jot them down, so you can share them with your tutor and your group. You may have questions. Write them down too, and don’t be afraid to ask them. Depending on your course, participation in seminars may go towards your final grade, so it’s worth taking the time to do this.
This is a perfect example of taking your learning into your own hands. The more you know about the seminar topic, the more you will benefit from the session.

What about during the seminar itself?

Be brave and participate. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
It’s natural to feel nervous about speaking in front of your seminar group or sharing your views. Remember that it’s not necessarily about getting the right answers and having perfect ideas. Seminars are about experimenting, taking risks and raising questions. If you don’t venture your thoughts, you will miss out on that whole process.
Finally, remember that other people may be nervous too, and you are all at the same level in your studies, wanting to learn as much as possible. Your tutor also wants you to learn and will appreciate your input.

Take the opportunity

Try being the first one to speak. This will get your first contribution out of the way, and it will make you feel good to be the one to get the discussion started.
Nerves can sometimes make you focus only on the thing you want to say. Make sure you’re also listening to what others are saying. Be flexible and move with the discussion. You can learn a lot from other people, and from the act of discussing and debating.
Seminars are a chance to test out your arguments on a live audience who will respond to and develop your points. This will also help with writing assignments.

How to make sure you have learned something

Reflect on the seminar afterwards. Try keeping a journal to help you record and consider what you have learned.
If your seminars involve practical activities, reflecting on them can be extremely useful. Always strive to see the link between good theory and practice.
A journal will also be a great source of inspiration when it comes to your essay writing. Trying to remember what someone said weeks ago is a near impossible task, but having it written down will make your life much easier.