Socialize frequently. One thing you will learn through university if you havent already is that friends wont necessarily come looking for you. Engage with people, converse, ask questions. Do this within reason, of course. If you take an interest in people, people will take an interest in you. It is best to start this in Freshers Week when everyone is in the same boat and is actively looking for people to be friends with and go out with.
Dont let going out consume you or your money. Youre a university student, of course you want to go out! But bear in mind that finances are a factor, and the bars wont disappear. As cheap as drinks in student cities might seem, all of these purchases add up and you risk racking up a debt, or perhaps not being able to afford those necessary purchases such as food and paying bills. Drinking may be a well-known student activity, but be aware of others available to you, such as the gym, societies, and club meetings.
Develop a sensible coping strategy. Most people that are about to go to University fall into three categories: 1) they cant wait to get away from their parents; 2) theyre dreading the day they leave the comfort of their own home; 3) nervous but excited. All of these are perfectly normal and acceptable feelings. Chances are that you will from time-to-time become homesick, especially if something negative happens, such as stress from too much work, a falling-out with a friend, or worries over money. Remember that your parents will be thinking about you as well, and will be more than happy to talk to you should you need any help or advice. Some may find phoning/visiting home regularly more therapeutic in helping them cope away from home, whereas others may find limited contact stops them from feeling homesick. Formulate a sensible strategy that suits you and helps you stay productive and happy. Most of all make sure to keep yourself occupied.
Dont turn nocturnal. This is also very tempting seeing as you wont have a parent nagging you to go to bed at a reasonable hour. By all means you should set your own bedtime, but getting to the stage where you are going to sleep at 6 a.m. and waking up at 4 p.m. is getting a bit too ridiculous. University is fun but difficult; give your body the rest it needs and the rest will follow.
Dont be afraid to bring up an issue or ask for help. University is different in very many ways to school and college. The learning styles are different, the work is harder and you are expected to handle your own learning. In fact, you learn independently a lot more than being lecturer-led. Lecturers will understand that adjusting to things like this take time and patience so if you dont understand something, ask them. It wont make you look stupid or like you werent listening in fact, youll be the smarter one for making sure you know exactly whats expected of you and how to do it than your class mate who decided to fall asleep during said lecture and not follow it up.
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Discussion
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying at a Belarusian University?
2. Convince your friend who doesnt believe in University education that University is the best place to study law, history, computing, etc.
3. Interview your friend about his University experience.
4. Read the following and express your opinion:
The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it from you;
Nine tenths of education is encouragement;
There is no royal road to learning;
All things are difficult before they are easy.
Project
Do some research and prepare a report/presentation on the topic University life: Belarusian vs. British.
UNIT VI: MY FUTURE PROFESSION
Pre-reading
1. Write a dozen words that you think you might find in the text.
Reading
2. Read the text and do the following tasks:
1. How many of the words predicted have you discovered? Find the sentences with the words in the text; read and translate them.
2. Choose and put down key words or phrases for retelling.
