<p>I know in the UK, you go to lectures, which is basically just a big room with a lecturers and you make notes. These are optional. The lecturers sets you essays to write. You then split off into smaller discussions called "Tutorials" where you meet with assistants and professors and discuss the assignments and any problems you mat have. These are mandatory to attend. </p>
<p>How does it work in the US/Cornell ?</p>
<p>Depends on the course you’re taking. But what you described is basically what you can expect for many classes at Cornell.</p>
<p>yeah especially in the first year or two, your description is pretty accurate. depending on the class the tutorials (usually called “section” at Cornell) will be required or not.</p>
<p>in upper-level classes there might no longer be section because the class is either fewer credit hours, or you have the discussions in the actual class.</p>