School of Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences
Student Safety & Study Skills
Handbook 11/12

Talking in Seminars and Workshops

A seminar generally consists of about 6-20 students and is an opportunity to discuss, in a more informal setting than a lecture, a particular topic.

A tutorial is slightly different in that it is smaller, usually consisting of 1-6 students.

Come Prepared

Both types of activity involve a more informal interaction between students and tutors who, in a sense, act as a chairman or agent provocateur. Often there may be prior preparation of a given topic e.g. by writing an essay, preparing notes or reading. Everybody is encouraged to take an active part in the discussions so it’s best to come prepared.

Speak Out

Seminars and tutorials provide an excellent opportunity for you to acquire a critical approach to problems by debate with the tutor and fellow students and also for the exercise and development of communication skills. Do not be afraid to admit you do not know the answer to a problem or question - your fellow students may not know either or may lack the courage to speak out. You would not be in the learning situation if you knew all the answers!

Ask Questions

Try and use the seminar/tutorial to clear up problems encountered in lectures and practicals. After reading that, you should not infer that questions can not be asked during formal lectures. You will soon find out, from each individual lecturer, whether questions are preferred during or at the end of a lecture. Above all, do not allow a problem to go unresolved.