A Beginner's Guide to University

What is the difference between school teachers and uni lecturers?

A big difference between school and uni is the role of teaching staff

As their name suggests, school teachers tend to concentrate on teaching and educating students. They might spend a large part of their working day in the classroom engaging with students, and they are generally accessible during (and sometimes after) school hours. The many tasks they do outside the classroom - like preparing and planning lessons or marking work - are often focused around teaching and learning.

But at uni, lecturers must do more than teach students. Teaching is only one of a broad range of responsibilities your lecturers have (see the list of what lecturers do in the right-hand column). So, if your lecturer is not in her or his office when you drop in, it's not because they are avoiding students.

Uni lecturers don't tell you everything you need to know. In lectures especially, their role is to provide the basic framework of information/ knowledge that you need in order to discover things for yourself.

Availability

Most lecturers or tutors have consultation hours during which they are available to students (they are usually stipulated in course outlines). If you want to speak to your tutors or lecturers, either make an appointment or visit them during these consultation times. If you turn up outside these hours, your lecturer or tutor may not be there, or may not be able to speak with you.

If you are able to contact your lecturer or tutor by email, be aware that they may not respond outside working hours or on weekends.

Getting the most from a meeting with your lecturer or tutor

• Use the time well. Try to have questions and be specific about issues or problems.
• Do some reading beforehand, so that the advice that your lecturer or tutor gives has a context.
• Make a short list of things you would like to discuss. Prioritise the list so that you can spend most time on the issues/ questions that are the most important.
• Take notes so that you'll have some concrete advice to take away with you after your meeting.
• Don't just ask for 'the answer', or expect your lecturer to do your thinking for you. Show that you have tried to work things out for yourself.
• Go in plenty of time. Don't turn up the day before an assignment is due and expect your lecturer to drop everything to help you: they won't.