A student’s workday

Alison (biology student, 20)

I get up at about seven o'clock. That gives me time to go jogging in the park near home before breakfast. I don't normally have a big breakfast - just a cup of tea and some toast and honey. The thing is that I always have a sandwich and a coffee in the university cafeteria at about eleven, when we have a break after lectures.

I leave for the university about a quarter to nine - it only takes me about ten minutes to get there, so I'm there in time for the first lecture. I'm studying biology, so I have quite a varied timetable, but on a normal day I have two hours of lectures, then two or three hours in the laboratory, and I spend the rest of the time in the university in the library.

During the term I'm usually busy studying, but I do have time for some things other than work. I mean, in the afternoons, after lunch, I sometimes play tennis or squash or go swimming. In the evenings, I go out with friends, so I don't usually get home much before half past nine. I usually read for a while, but I'm always in bed by midnight.

Write a short story about a typical day of a student’s life in Chicago. If you have a friend or a relative who is a full-time student, write another story about a typical day of a student’s life in Belarus.

Text 8. Read the text.

Vocabulary

сongratulations – поздравления

advantages and disadvantages - преимущества и недостатки

actually - фактически, на самом деле, действительно

entry – level job - перспективная работа (entry-level position начальная должность/ работа (должность, на которую назначаются новые работники, не обладающие большим опытом и квалификацией, т. е. первая должность при поступлении на работу) )

tips (of advice) – советы

weighty - веский, важный

beforehand - заранее, заблаговременно

to pass an exam with flying colours – сдать экзамен с блеском

How to pass exams

You are a student of a university!!! Congratulations*!!! You are not an ordinary student. You are a distant student. Is it good or bad? Is it a plus or a minus?

No doubt, there are advantages* and disadvantages* of being a distant student. The main advantage is that you don’t have classes every day. But it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to study. Actually* distant students have to study hard and a lot on their own. And they take a number of exams every term. Here is a list of tips* how to get ready for exams and to pass them with flying colours*.

DON’T COUNT ON GOOD LUCK!!! RELY UPON YOUR KNOWLEDGE!!!

Before you start

• Be organized. Draw up a timetable of topics to study. Let friends and family know that you are serious, so they don’t interrupt your studies.

• If you find it difficult to concentrate, don’t study at home. Go to the library instead. There is a good library in BNTU. There are several modern well-equipped reading halls.

• If motivation is a problem, meet a friend and study together.

• Remember what you are studying for. In future you are planning to have an interesting, well-paid entry-level job*. Being a qualified specialist without grounded knowledge is impossible. Keep in mind: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!

Studying tactics

• Go with your body clock: if you are slow in the morning, use that time to do some background reading. Do weightier* work in the afternoon.

• Don’t study for more than 30 or 40 minutes at a time. Take regular breaks.

• Don’t study too late, especially the night before the exam.

• Eat well.

On the day

• Arrive to the exam beforehand*. But don’t come too early or you’ll sit around getting nervous.

• Be concentrated and attentive at the exam.

Text 9. Read and translate the text.