[00:37.47]OFFICER:Hello. Er, I'm Dawn Matthews.
[00:42.54]STUDENT:Yes, hello.
[00:44.70]I've been referred to you because I'm enquiring about the refresher courses that you run.
[00:48.50]I'd like to find out a bit more about them.
[00:50.71]OFFICER:OK.
[00:51.72]Well, we run quite a few different short courses for students who are either returning to study or studying part-time.
[00:59.90]Um, tell me about your situation.
[01:03.90]STUDENT:Well, I think that I really need some help in preparing for the coming semester, especially to build up my confidence a bit and help me study effectively because, you see, I've been out in the work-force for nearly twelve years now, so it really is a long time since I was last a student.
[01:19.88]OFFICER:Yes, it can seem like a long time, can't it?
[01:23.80]Um, well, let me start by telling you what courses we have that might suit you.
[01:28.14]Are you an undergraduate or a postgraduate?
[01:32.11]Arts or Sciences?
[01:33.45]STUDENT:Undergraduate and I'm in the Business faculty.
[01:36.24]OFFICER:Right then.
[01:37.59]First of all, there's our intensive 'Study for Success' seminar on the first and second of February.
[01:45.42]It's aimed at students like you who are uncertain about what to expect at college, and looks at a fairly wide range of approaches to university learning, to motivate you to begin your study and build on your own learning strategies.
[01:59.77]STUDENT:Mm, that sounds good.
[02:01.25]What are some of the strategies that are presented?
[02:04.83]OFFICER:Well, we try to cover all aspects of study.
[02:07.97]Some of the strategies in writing, for example, would be improving your planning for writing, organising your thinking and building some techniques to help you write more clearly.
[02:20.34]With reading, there'll be sessions aimed at getting into the habit of analyzing material as you read it, and tips to help you record and remember what you have read.
[02:31.16]It really is very important to begin reading confidently right from the beginning.
[02:35.69]STUDENT:Mm.
[02:36.14]OFFICER:There's also advice on how to get the most from your lectures and practice in giving confident presentations, as well as how to prepare for exams.
[02:46.13]STUDENT:What about the motivational side of things?
[02:48.83]OFFICER:Ah Well, there's a range of motivational exercises that we do to help the students feel positive and enthusiastic about their study.
[02:58.48]The process of learning and exploring a subject can lead to a whole new way of looking at the world, and the study skills and techniques that you build up can be applied in all sorts of different ways.
[03:44.97]STUDENT:Actually, I... I'm very excited about the whole thing of taking up studying again but, you know, I'm a little nervous about whether I'll manage to get everything done.
[03:57.40]I suppose it's the same for all mature students?
[04:00.32]OFFICER:Of course it is.
[04:01.68]Two of the key components of the course aretime management and overcoming procrastination.
[04:09.34]People discover that, once they learn to plan their days, all the work can be accomplished and there'll still be time for leisure.
[04:16.32]STUDENT:Is there an enrolment fee?
[04:18.00]OFFICER:Well, er, oh, just a minute, let's see...
[04:22.16]Ah, the cost is thirty pounds, which includes all course materials and morning tea.
[04:28.50]You have to arrange your own lunch.
[04:30.46]STUDENT:That wouldn't be a problem.
[04:32.44]I already make sandwiches for my three kids and my wife and myself every day.
[04:36.26]I won't have to change my routine.
[04:38.43]OFFICER:No.
[04:39.17]Now, I need to tell you that this is a very popular course and it's essential that you book well ahead of time.
[04:45.00]In fact, the Course Convenor tells me that there are only five places left.
[04:50.41]STUDENT:What other course might be good for me?
[04:54.10]OFFICER:There is one other that you could benefit from.
[04:57.54]It's simply called Learning Skills for University Study' and is on three consecutive mornings starting on a Monday, from nine to twelve, and costs twenty-five pounds.
[05:12.22]This is aimed at upgrading the study skills most school-leavers have and help them cope with the increased demands of university study.
[05:22.80]It focuses mainly on making students more responsible for their own success.
[05:27.60]STUDENT:What sort of things are covered in this course?
[05:28.93]OFFICER:Well, basically it's more advanced thinking, note-taking, reading and writing strategies, but also some input about stress management.
[05:40.10]STUDENT:I think I'd be better off starting from the basics and looking at all the strategies, don't you?
[05:46.95]OFFICER:Yes from what you've told me.
[05:48.78]I think that's more in line with your situation.
[05:51.40]STUDENT:Alright then, um, can I book a place on the Study for Success seminar course now?
[05:56.68]OFFICER:Yes.Let me just get out a registration form and take down your details.
