What to take?

[seretide]

Hey guys,

A quick question... What books should be taken to lectures, pracs, tutorials?

Do I take the prescribed textbook to each one? And in each one am I taking down notes?

Getting pretty confused with all this.

Thanks in advance

[jasrulz63]

It will vary from subject to subject, but from my experience with my life science subjects;

Lectures - any lecture notes uploaded online before lecture, something to write with (or a laptop to type notes on). This is where you're taking down notes.

Pracs - you'll be told what you need. But it's normally prac notes (sometimes it's a book printed by the department sold in the bookshop), exercise books and things to write with. Lab coat and safety glasses for some pracs. Slides and cover slips we needed for biology (bought in the same pack with the prac notes book). But wait until the first lecture, and they'll tell you what you need. They might also post it on the LMS before.

Tutorial notes - Any tutorial notes (sometimes uploaded on LMS, sometimes they are bought/apart of the prac books I mentioned above). Most of the time, it's best to try the questions beforehand if you can, so you get more out of the tutorial. Again, things to write with. Might also be a good idea to bring the relevant lecture notes, as they might help you answer some questions during the tutorial.

With your textbook, most of the time, you don't really need to bring it to anything, unless you plan to study at the uni. Normally don't need it for lectures and pracs. It may be helpful in tutorials sometimes. I personally never brought those things to uni, because they're just so big and heavy!

[VivaTequila]

a really good question OP, i hadn't even thought of this.

so we don't bring textbooks to uni? massive culture shock right there

[seretide]

That's certainly a relief my textbooks all weigh enough to cause a couple of bones to break.

For the lectures, where am I able to check out those notes?

Are the lab cots and glasses provided or do we also have to buy them?

Thanks  for your reply

[Russ]

Notes are uploaded onto your student LMS/Blackboad/CMS/whatever your uni calls it
You'll have to wait until closer to the date of classes though. ANd yes, you have to buy lab coats, goggles etc for most labs that need them

a really good question OP, i hadn't even thought of this.

so we don't bring textbooks to uni? massive culture shock right there

God no. You shouldn't even own textbooks yet.

[Gloamglozer]

You know textbook prices are too high when you are able to (and only if you are permitted) to borrow the book from the library for the whole semester and the fine doesn't exceed the price of the book.

EDIT:  And to clarify, it doesn't happen as they already know that.  So restrictions are normally put in place by course coordinators.

[seretide]

Thanks! Last question - where do we buy the goggles and lab coats?

[jasrulz63]

Thanks! Last question - where do we buy the goggles and lab coats?

The uni bookshop sells them. Quite sure the Chemistry department also sold them at the start of semester. They don't have to be specifically from the uni though, if you can find them elsewhere that's fine. I used safety glasses my mum got from work.

[linle]

You can also try Encompass Books. They sell stationery, lab coats and goggles too. Books are relatively cheaper but go for the uni lab coats. They have better quality.