Furthermore, working in a library, with the books to hand on the shelves, is every bit as valuable as regular attendance in class and regular reading at home. Preparation of a specific text or texts 'set' for discussion should never be neglected. Some lectures, on the other hand, serve more as an introduction to texts which you will come to later, but here too you will be better able to participate in and enjoy discussion of set texts if you have some prior knowledge of them and of the issues they raise. As your studies progress, use the vacation preceding a series of lectures or classes for such preparatory reading. Approximately half of the courses you will follow involve coursework, the thorough preparation of which makes a major difference to the intensity and development of your interest in an area of study.
Time spent in detailed planning of coursework essays is always time very well spent.
Your aim should be to produce a reasoned argument which directly addresses the terms of the topic set, systematically examines the pros and the cons of the proposition, and proceeds in a clearly structured manner to a conclusion. An essay is meant to represent your own informed response to the topic set. Word limits specified for coursework should be observed. Nothing is gained by excess length. On the contrary, examiners are keen to reward clarity, cogency, and conciseness of argument and expression.