| Hello. |
| I'm Dawn Matthews. |
| Yes, hello. |
| I've been referred to you because I'm enquiring about the refresher courses that you run. |
| I'd like to find out a bit more about them. |
| Okay. |
| Well, we run quite a few different short courses for students who are either returning to study or studying part-time. |
| Um, tell me about your situation. |
| 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. |
| Yes, it can seem like a long time, can't it? |
| Um, well, let me start by telling you what courses we have that might suit you. |
| Are you an undergraduate or a postgraduate? |
| Arts or Sciences? |
| Undergraduate, and I'm in the Business faculty. |
| Right then. |
| First of all, there's our intensive 'Study for Success' seminar |
| on the first and second of February. |
| 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. |
| Mm, that sounds good. |
| What are some of the strategies that are presented? |
| Well, we try to cover all aspects of study. |
| 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. |
| With reading, there'll be sessions aimed at getting into the habit of analysing material as you read it, |
| and tips to help you record and remember what you have read. |
| It really is very important to begin reading confidently right from the beginning. |
| 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. |
| What about the motivational side of things? |
| Ah. Well, there's a range of motivational exercises that we do |
| to help the students feel positive and enthusiastic about their study. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| I suppose it's the same for all mature students? |
| Of course it is. |
| Two of the key components of the course are time management |
| and overcoming procrastination. |
| People discover that, once they learn to plan their days, |
| all the work can be accomplished and there'll still be time for leisure. |
| Is there an enrolment fee? |
| Well, er, oh, just a minute, let's see... |
| Ah, the cost is 30 pounds, |
| which includes all course materials and morning tea. |
| You have to arrange your own lunch. |
| That wouldn't be a problem. |
| I already make sandwiches for my three kids and my wife and myself every day. |
| I won't have to change my routine. |
| Now, I need to tell you that this is a very popular course |
| and it's essential that you book well ahead of time. |
| In fact, the Course Convenor tells me that there are only five places left. |
| What other course might be good for me? |
| There is one other that you could benefit from. |
| 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 25 pounds. |
| This is aimed at upgrading the study skills most school-leavers have |
| and help them cope with the increased demands of university study. |
| It focuses mainly on making students more responsible for their own success. |
| What sort of things are covered in this course? |
| Well, basically it's more advanced thinking, |
| note-taking, reading and writing strategies, |
| but also some input about stress management. |
| I think I'd be better off starting from the basics and looking at all the strategies, don't you? |
| Yes, from what you've told me, I think that's more in line with your situation. |
| Alright then, |
| can I book a place on the 'Study for Success' seminar course now? |
| Yes. |
| Let me just get out a registration form and take down your details. |