Vocabulary and oral practice

I. Study the following word combinations and phrases. Recall the episodes with them.

- to tell what lies down the road for smb.

- to open a bank account

- to mull over

- the novelty of … wears off

- to assimilate to new surroundings

- to adopt new routines

- to leave smth. behind

- volunteer activities

- to check out smth.

- to get swamped with smth.

- guest lecturers

- to work part-time

- to procrastinate

- to pace oneself

- on a full-time basis

- to challenge oneself

- academic and extracurricular opportunities

II. Explain what the following words mean (use your e-e dictionaries). Say what context these words are used in. Use them in situations of your own.

Predict, well-stocked, emerge, goodie, treat, encounter, line, well-wired, to minimize, prioritize, procrastinate, peer, dorm.

III. Paraphrase using new words and word combinations.

1. It’s hard to tell what awaits you in the future for I am not a fortune teller. 2. The first thing you are likely to come across when you leave home is the shortage of money. 3. Try to think over where you went wrong and reduce the number of mistakes. 4. The thrill of meeting new people will not last long. Soon you’ll get used to your surroundings. 5. Find out what activities you could indulge in. 6. We were snowed under different assignment so we had to learn how to deal with things in order of importance. 7. Never indulge in delaying things for you’ll have twice as much to do when exam periods come. 8. College is the place where you make new friends form new relationships with people who are mostly your age. 9. Constantly test your abilities. This is the way to develop mentally.

IV. Give extended answers to the given questions.

1. Is it easy to predict what lies down the road for a student-to-be? Why?

2. Where is a student almost certain to encounter lines? What opportunities do lines sometimes give?

3. Does it take one much time to assimilate to new surroundings and adopt new routines?

4. What if you don’t become best friends with your roommate?

5. Where can you meet a lot of people?

6. Why is it useful sometimes to check out one or two activities you’ve never tried before?

7. What is the best way to combine studies and leisure?

8. What may happen if you procrastinate too much?

9. What freedom and opportunities does college present?

10. Why should one seek extra opportunities and challenge oneself when at college?

Text 2.

Freshman Fears

You took the standardized tests, put nearly four years of work into your grade point average, wrote the personal statements, stalked the postman, and then finally the day came when you clutched that acceptance letter in your hand. After you’ve apologized to the postman and the initial euphoria has worn off, you might start to worry about what life at college has in store for you. Don’t worry, we are here to calm your fears.

First, it’s okay to be nervous about college. For some students it’s the first time away from home for any extended time. Many students suffer from homesickness to some degree. Although it’s natural to miss one’s family and friends, it should be relatively easy to combat being homesick or lonely. The best way is to immerse yourself in the myriad activities that college offers. You can always hit the books, but don’t neglect your social life! Investigate and participate in activities that interest you. Check out clubs, lectures, movie screenings, and the like. Get to know your dorm mates or classmates – there will be plenty of opportunities to socialize whether it’s hanging out on the quad or catching lunch with a couple of people in one of your classes. It’s easy to meet people in college, especially the first month or so.

Don’t let worries that you may feel pressured to engage in the activities, such as drinking, that you’re not comfortable with prevent you from attending parties or other social events. Even though there may be a permissive attitude at some parties, generally there is little social pressure to drink or engage in other dubious activities. Usually ‘partiers’ respect the decisions of their peers not to indulge.

Some students worry that they won’t be able to have any sort of social life because they fear that they won’t be able to handle the academic workload. If you are one of those students, relax – if you didn’t show that you were capable of doing the work, you wouldn’t have been admitted. Sure your workload will probably be heavier than what you’re used to, but you’ll also probably have more time to take care of the work. The key to handling the workload is organization and prioritization. You will quickly learn which types of assignments deserve the most attention and which types can be put off. If you use your time wisely, you shouldn’t have too much of a problem keeping up. If you do run into problems, use the support system built into just about any college. Don’t hesitate to talk to your professors, teaching assistant, and/or your academic advisor if you feel that you’re unable to handle the workload.

Some students worry about which courses to take and which major to choose. If you don’t know what you want to do after college (and let’s face it, there is no reason for anybody of college age to know what profession they want to enter), select courses that interest you and will expose you to different fields. Most students know which major they want to pursue by the time they have to formally choose one. Even if you are unsure or later decodes that your choice wasn’t the best one, there is usually time to switch majors. Don’t forget, your major doesn’t have to determine what you do for the rest of your life. Often the key to doing well academically in college is to choose a major in a subject that you enjoy.

Most college fears are best confronted head on. Don’t be afraid to try new academic and extracurricular endeavors. College may be a challenging and demanding time, but it should also be richly rewarding and, ultimately, fun.