Figure 3.1.

1.5. Read about the impressions which students from different universities share about their studies. Is their attitude to studies positive or negative? Prove each of your statement.

№1

Michael Gordeev, the Faculty of Economy, Dpt. of Management, 2^nd year:

I can’t really say it is hard for me to study here, but I must admit it is very interesting. Our teachers are experts in their field and really know their onions. They have academic degrees in the field of economy along with the excellent practical experience in entrepreneurs’ associations, banks, government. The good thing about our faculty is that it provides us with a lot of theoretical knowledge. As regards practical skills I don’t think we get as many as I personally would like to get. So it’s good that we have the University Students’ Association where I can try myself in different activities and train myself as a leader. Every student has an opportunity to become a part of some projects and learn how to solve academic and social problems in practice.

№2

Olga Arishina, Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Dpt. of Information and Communication, 3^rd year:

During the whole term I studied as an Erasmus Student in Poland in a small town to the north off Warsaw. At the very beginning I came across some language and cultural problems, I had no friends at all. Anyhow, I managed to overcome my problems rather quickly and got used to my new surrounding. Our studies were focused mostly on practical matters while theoretical issues were discussed only within particular case studies. I liked them very much as I participated in different workshops and projects. Now I feel more self-confident and professionally knowledgeable.

№3

Oskar Davydov, the Faculty of Philology, German Philology, 1^st year:

At school I liked geography, history and languages. Now I am not quite happy with what I am doing here at the university. Yet, I am going to continue my studies to receive a diploma. I hope I’ll find work in a tourist agency and that’s why I am taking several distance learning courses at the Higher School of Tourism.

№4

Alexandra Andriunis, the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Dpt. of Philosophy, Master course student:

When I was a first-year student I experienced a kind of euphoria. Not any longer, though. Still I feel rather positive about my studies here. Actually, I’ve been studying philosophy for 6 years now. I personally believe that the future might seem clear only for a fresher who studies management or other practical disciplines. At least, this is what I think about that. In my case things are quite different; I am only outlining my goals for studying.

№5

Anton Daineko, the Faculty of Physics, Dpt of Contemporary Technology Management, 4^th year:

At university I have realized in full what it really means to be a student. Definitely, here one can take the maximum from their life: a bunch of interesting activities to try, enormous number of people to get along with, a lot of information to grasp. I was really surprised to find so many forms of self-realization. There are various clubs, bands, choirs, groups of interest. You are welcome everywhere! Just join and you get involved: you become a member of one or another community! It’s easy, isn’t? Everyone can find their place in this wonderful community and enjoy life. As for physics, it is not only a science but a way of thinking and living. I know that the university gives me a chance to be a personality. I should only catch the chance it gives. It ia a pity but this experience will never be repeated.

№6

Tomash Ankavez, the Faculty of Physics, Dpt. of Astrophysics, 2^nd year:

Right after my 1^st year of study I realized that I am where I am meant to be. In future I plan to be seriously engaged in research. I am really interested in astrophysics. It has so many things that are still waiting to be studied deeply.

№7

Jane Ottin, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Dpt. of Meteorology, 2^nd year:

It was my friend who gave me the idea to enter this faculty. At school I was good at math, and I was deeply interested in nature phenomena, in ecological issues, in particular. And at the university I am in my element (в своей стихии). I like the subjects that we study and the people whom I study with. I hope so much to get a job in accord with my qualification. But if not, my diploma here is relevant in other countries as well.

№8

Paul Klimov, Faculty of History, Dpt. of History, 3^rd year:

Since my school years I’ve known I am a humanitarian person and I am glad I figured it out early enough to pursue this kind of education. I like to study here and I am absolutely pleased with the level of education my faculty offers. There are a lot of opportunities here to satisfy my needs for knowledge and curiosity. After obtaining my Bachelor’s degree I plan to continue my studies, to carry out research and collect wisdom from the ‘river’ of history.

№9

Andrew Kennan, Law Faculty, Dpt. of Law, 3^rd year:

I like to study at the university as I have learnt how to be argumentative and eventually how to make people listen to you. We participate in lectures, seminars, tutorials, take different kinds of exams (mid-terms, final) and work in the city and university libraries. Our professors instruct us with theoretical knowledge during their lectures and at the seminars and tutorials we learn how to apply this knowledge into practice. So our education is well balanced. I think we are lucky that our tutors are lawyers who combine teaching with the practical work in courts, advocacy or other legislative institutions of the country. We started feeling a part of lawyers’ community, which is the community of people with sharp, logically developed mind and a good sense of humor.

№10

Anna Mekaite, the Institute of International Relations and Political Sciences, Dpt. of Political Sciences, 2^nd year:

At school I dreamt of a journalist career or a career of a writer, but now I am in a bit different field and dream to become a politician or a diplomat. At our Institute attendance is not compulsory, but I do not skip classes as I am afraid to miss something really interesting. The competence and life experience of our teachers is formidable! Many of them deserve the highest respect and admiration. From the first year we have been practicing our skills in professional communication not only at the seminars, but also at the disputes and debates organized by our faculty’s Debate Club once a month. We learn how to cope with tough questions, how to turn disadvantages into advantages. Also we learn how to overcome cross-cultural conflicts. Now we know that gender, generation, profession, and many other things are aspects of different cultures. So to be effective communicants we need to understand different cultures and their different values, attitudes, assessments. I like the topics of the essays and projects proposed to us by our teachers as they develop our logical thinking, intuition, cultivate interest in searching for the unknown.

№11

Dina Sergienko, the Institute of Journalism and Comunication, Dpt. of Internet Journalism, 2^nd year:

Journalism is speed, communication, cooperation, exactness, and opportunity to show illnesses of the society to the world. I realized it at the very beginning of my studies here. Besides I study not only compulsory subjects, but also selective. I am interested in social sciences and especially in qualitative methods of mass media audience studies. We must know our audience; otherwise we won’t be professional in our field.

№12

Alina Kreve, the Dpt. of National Philology, 4^th year:

At the beginning of my study at the university, I didn’t give much of a thought why I am here not anywhere else, or why I have chosen this faculty not another one of the same university. My parents advised me to be here and I simply agreed. But now I know I will never change it for anything else. I understood that that what really matters is to find one’s place in life, to appreciate your roots, values, to know what you really want, and only then to look for depth in professional knowledge. And students should not stop at some starting point of education. Now I am becoming more universal in my knowledge, and I can really use it in different kinds of activities, not only in the academic field. Well, we have a great teaching staff and smart students and they are always ready to help, if you really need it. Who will argue that philology is the soul of all sciences?

№13

Zbignev Bartashevich, the Faculty of Mathematics and IT Technologies, Dpt. of Program Systems, 2^nd year:

Math has always been an easy subject for me. And now when I am a student I don’t have any problems at all. Besides with each academic year the subjects we study are getting more and more interesting, teachers are great professionals and their explanations are very up to date. My dream to study at the university has come true and I think my next step will be to take a Master’s degree course at our faculty.

(☼) 1.6. Scan again texts 1-13 in 1.5. to fill in Table 3.1. Use symbol «» to mark what the students assess in their University studies.

Table 3.1.

No.	Objects of assessment	No. of the text
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13
1	Teachers
2	students
3	subjects (courses)
4	theory and practice connection
5	possibility to carry out research
6	possibility to study
7	possibility to be engaged in social activities
8	possibility to be engaged in students activities (to create)
9	conditions of study
10	relationship among classmates

 1.7. Give an extended answer to one of the questions in written form (you may use the data given above and your own vision of the subject).

1. What kind of people do the students want their teachers to be?

2. What kind of people do the students want their group mates to be?

3. What should the university community be like?

4. What should the studying process be?

5. Does one need to be engaged in social life?

6. What kind of life should students’ life be?