[00:38.70]TUTOR:Ah Caroline ...
[00:39.92]come on in.
[00:41.10]Sit down.
[00:41.88]CAROLINE:Thanks.
[00:42.63]TUTOR:So how's the dissertation planning going?
[00:44.86]CAROLINE:Well Dr. Schulmann, I’m still having a lot of trouble deciding on a title.
[00:50.71]TUTOR:Well, that's perfectly normal at this stage.
[00:53.21]And this is what your tutorials will help you to do.
[00:56.33]CAROLINE:Right.
[00:56.98]TUTOR:What we'll do is jot down some points that might help you in your decision.
[01:02.36]First of all, you have chosen your general topic area, haven't you?
[01:07.15]CAROLINE:Yes, it's the fishing industry.
[01:09.64]TUTOR:Oh yes, that was one of the areas you mentioned.
[01:12.72]Now, what aspects of the course are you good at?
[01:17.00]CAROLINE:Well.
[01:17.93] I think I'm coping well with statistics, and I'm never bored by it.
[01:23.72]TUTOR:Good.
[01:24.20]Anything else?
[01:25.37]CCAROLINE:Well, I found computer modelling fascinating - I have no problem following what's being taught, whereas quite a few of my classmates find it difficult.
[01:37.59]TUTOR:Well, that's very good.
[01:39.90]Do you think these might be areas you could bring into your dissertation?
[01:43.53]CAROLINE:Oh yes, if possible.
[01:44.91]It's just that I'm having difficulty thinking how I can do that.
[01:49.27]You see I feel I don't have sufficient background information.
[01:53.42]TUTOR:I see.
[01:54.38]Well, do you take notes?
[01:56.51]CAROLINE: I’m very weak at note-taking.
[01:59.80]My teachers always used to say that.
[02:02.10]TUTOR:Well, I think you really need to work on these weaknesses before you go any further.
[02:07.47]CAROLINE:What do you suggest?
[02:47.50]TUTOR:Well, I can go through the possible strategies with you and let you decide where to go from there.
[02:52.70]CAROLINE:Okay, thanks.
[02:53.73]TUTOR:Well, some people find it helpful to organise peer-group discussions — you know, each week a different person studies a different topic and shares it with the group.
[03:04.90]CAROLINE:Oh right.
[03:06.24]TUTOR: It really helps build confidence, you know, having to present something to others.
[03:11.49]CAROLINE:I can see that.
[03:12.90]TUTOR: The drawback is that everyone in the group seems to share the same ideas ...
[03:16.41]they keep being repeated in all the dissertations.
[03:19.71]CAROLINE:Okay.
[03:20.66]TUTOR: You could also try a service called 'Student Support'.
[03:24.77]It's designed to give you a structured programme over a number of weeks to develop your skills.
[03:30.57]CAROLINE:Sounds good.
[03:31.72]TUTOR:Yes, unfortunately there are only a few places.
[03:35.46]But it's worth looking into.
[03:37.51]CAROLINE:Yes, of course.
[03:38.68]I know I've got to work on my study skills.
[03:41.67]TUTOR:And then there are several study skills books you can consult.
[03:45.42]CAROLINE:Right.
[03:46.36]TUTOR:They'll be a good source of reference but the problem is they are sometimes too general.
[03:52.85]CAROLINE:Yes, that's what I've found.
[03:54.64]TUTOR:Other than that I would strongly advise quite simple ideas like using a card index.
[04:02.47]CAROLINE:Well, yes, I've never done that before.
[04:05.44]TUTOR:It's simple, but it really works because you have to get points down in a small space.
[04:11.63]Another thing I always advise is don't just take your notes and forget about them.
[04:17.90] Read everything three times - that'll really fix them in your mind.
[04:23.11]CAROLINE:Yes, I can see it'd take discipline but...
[04:26.72]TUTOR:Well, if you establish good study skills at this stage they'll be with you all your life.
[04:32.16]CAROLINE:Oh yes, I completely agree.
[04:33.80]It’s just that I don't seem to be able to discipline myself.
[04:37.99]I need to talk things over.
[04:40.34]TUTOR:Well, we'll be continuing these tutorials of course.
[04:43.70]Let's arrange next month's now.
[04:46.62]Let's see, I can see you virtually any time during the week starting 22nd January.
[04:56.16]CAROLINE:What about the 24th?
[05:01.63]I'm free in the afternoon.
[05:02.96]TUTOR:Sorry.
[05:03.83]I'm booked then.
[05:04.85]What about the following day?
[05:06.43]CAROLINE:Thursday?
[05:08.00]I can make the morning.
[05:09.85]TUTOR:Fine, we'll go for the 25th then.
[05:12.86]CAROLINE:That's great, thanks.
