Unit 1-Fresh Start-Pre-reading activities

Unit 1 Fresh start


Pre-reading activities


Sarah: Hi I'm Sarah. I'm a student advisor at a university. I know the first year of college is always difficult. You have to adapt to a new environment, and learn to do everything on your own. To help make your transition just a little easier, I'm going to interview some senior students on campus. Let's see what advice they can give you.


Sarah: Hi Jennifer. What do you think is important to a freshman?


Jennifer: I think it is very important to go to class regularly. It sounds easy, but oversleeping and missing that 8 o'clock morning class is very common. Try to go to class on time and regularly. You will learn the material in class, get to know the professors, and make friends with your classmates. You will also get important information from the professors about tests and exams.


Sarah: Mark, do you agree with Jennifer?


Mark: Absolutely. My advice is: Find a good place to study. It may be your dorm room or a corner of the library or a quiet classroom, but find a place that works best for you to get your work done. If you have trouble concentrating in your dorm, you need to find another place.


Sarah: Nancy, what is your advice for freshmen?


Nancy: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." My advice is to get involved on campus. A big problem for a lot of new students is that they miss home and they don't have a sense of belonging. The solution is to join a student organization, or a club, or a sports team. You will make new friends, learn new skills, and feel more connected to your school.


Sarah: Excellent advice, Nancy. Simon, it seems you have something to say.


Simon: Yes, I do. Well, I want to say you should keep a balance. College life is a mixture of social life and academic life. Don't join too many student organizations or go to too many activities. Otherwise, you won't have enough time to study. Of course, you should not become a bookworm. The key is to keep a balance between fun and study.


Sarah: They all give very useful tips. But let me add a few more. Take responsibility for yourself and your actions; take advantage of the learning resources on campus; stay healthy and eat right. I hope you will get the most out of your college experience.