Is it worth going to lectures and tutorials in engineering?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the value of attending lectures and tutorials in engineering courses. Participants share their experiences and opinions on whether attendance is beneficial for academic success and personal development.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that they did not attend most lectures or tutorials last semester and still achieved high grades, questioning the necessity of attendance.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of class participation and discipline, suggesting that attendance may be crucial for future recommendations.
  • Some participants argue that attending lectures is essential for maintaining good relationships with professors, which could be beneficial later on.
  • There is a viewpoint that attendance is a matter of respect for the teaching effort, suggesting that students should give faculty a chance to teach effectively.
  • One participant insists on the importance of attending lectures to maximize the educational investment, despite acknowledging that they can be boring.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the necessity and value of attending lectures and tutorials. While some advocate for consistent attendance, others believe that personal success can be achieved without it. No consensus is reached regarding the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants' views are influenced by personal experiences and assumptions about the relationship between attendance and academic performance. The discussion does not resolve the varying perspectives on the effectiveness of lectures and tutorials.

x86
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Engineering student here. Last semester I didn't go to most lectures or tutorials because they were too slow and too boring. However, I see a lot of people say that going to lectures/tutorials is very important. Should I go to them this semester? I averaged an A- last semester (with one A+) taking a full course load, to classes/tutorials I skipped. Ironically, the one class I went to (lectures and tutorials) got me a B.
 
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Students are generally expected to attend class, particularly to discuss homework. Class participation is important.

It is also a matter of discipline. And, one might be looking for recommendations some day.
 
Well, I can't say I recommend that. But if it works for you then that's what matters.

Personally, I would just suck it up and go to keep up appearances with your professors. It's only 45 minutes, and you're paying for it, it works out to something like $50-$100 an hour if you ever do the math. Even though attendance might not be graded in the syllabus, it's going to matter if you ever need those professors on your good side: if you want recommendations, or if you want an 89 B+ bumped up to a 90 A-, or if you ever need help on something (sooner or later, there will be something you can't do on your own, and the first thing they will ask is if you have class notes or remember the lecture).

Plus, you might find that some of your professors actually host rather enjoyable lectures.
 
Last edited:
It's a "two-way street." Students don't show up, why should faculty bother to make an effort? You're there to learn --- some of them are there to teach --- give them a chance.
 
Always go to the lectures. I know boring,boring, boring BUT YOU ARE GOING TO SCHOOL, remember? To learn presumably, remember? You also happen to be paying for it so why not get your moneys worth? If on the other hand, you can challenge the class in question and still get the credits for it. then go for it. Highly dangerous move by the way.

I think Jack476 is spot on.

jack476 said:
Well, I can't say I recommend that. But if it works for you then that's what matters.

Personally, I would just suck it up and go to keep up appearances with your professors. It's only 45 minutes, and you're paying for it, it works out to something like $50-$100 an hour if you ever do the math. Even though attendance might not be graded in the syllabus, it's going to matter if you ever need those professors on your good side: if you want recommendations, or if you want an 89 B+ bumped up to a 90 A-, or if you ever need help on something (sooner or later, there will be something you can't do on your own, and the first thing they will ask is if you have class notes or remember the lecture).

Plus, you might find that some of your professors actually host rather enjoyable lectures.
 

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