1Hello.
2I'm Dawn Matthews.
3Yes, hello.
4I've been referred to you because I'm enquiring about the refresher courses that you run.
5I'd like to find out a bit more about them.
6Okay.
7Well, we run quite a few different short courses for students who are either returning to study or studying part-time.
8Um, tell me about your situation.
9Well, I think that I really need some help in preparing for the coming semester,
10especially to build up my confidence a bit
11and help me study effectively because, you see,
12I've been out in the work-force for nearly twelve years now, so...
13it really is a long time since I was last a student.
14Yes, it can seem like a long time, can't it?
15Um, well, let me start by telling you what courses we have that might suit you.
16Are you an undergraduate or a postgraduate?
17Arts or Sciences?
18Undergraduate, and I'm in the Business faculty.
19Right then.
20First of all, there's our intensive 'Study for Success' seminar
21on the first and second of February.
22It's aimed at students like you who are uncertain about what to expect at college,
23and looks at a fairly wide range of approaches to university learning,
24to motivate you to begin your study
25and build on your own learning strategies.
26Mm, that sounds good.
27What are some of the strategies that are presented?
28Well, we try to cover all aspects of study.
29Some of the strategies in writing, for example,
30would be improving your planning for writing,
31organising your thinking
32and building some techniques to help you write more clearly.
33With reading, there'll be sessions aimed at getting into the habit of analysing material as you read it,
34and tips to help you record and remember what you have read.
35It really is very important to begin reading confidently right from the beginning.
36There's also advice on how to get the most from your lectures
37and practice in giving confident presentations,
38as well as how to prepare for exams.
39What about the motivational side of things?
40Ah. Well, there's a range of motivational exercises that we do
41to help the students feel positive and enthusiastic about their study.
42The process of learning and exploring a subject can lead to a whole new way of looking at the world,
43and the study skills and techniques that you build up
44can be applied in all sorts of different ways.
45Actually, I...
46I'm very excited about the whole thing of taking up studying again but,
47you know, I'm a little nervous about whether I'll manage to get everything done.
48I suppose it's the same for all mature students?
49Of course it is.
50Two of the key components of the course are time management
51and overcoming procrastination.
52People discover that, once they learn to plan their days,
53all the work can be accomplished and there'll still be time for leisure.
54Is there an enrolment fee?
55Well, er, oh, just a minute, let's see...
56Ah, the cost is 30 pounds,
57which includes all course materials and morning tea.
58You have to arrange your own lunch.
59That wouldn't be a problem.
60I already make sandwiches for my three kids and my wife and myself every day.
61I won't have to change my routine.
62Now, I need to tell you that this is a very popular course
63and it's essential that you book well ahead of time.
64In fact, the Course Convenor tells me that there are only five places left.
65What other course might be good for me?
66There is one other that you could benefit from.
67It's simply called 'Learning Skills for University Study'
68and is on three consecutive mornings
69starting on a Monday, from nine to twelve,
70and costs 25 pounds.
71This is aimed at upgrading the study skills most school-leavers have
72and help them cope with the increased demands of university study.
73It focuses mainly on making students more responsible for their own success.
74What sort of things are covered in this course?
75Well, basically it's more advanced thinking,
76note-taking, reading and writing strategies,
77but also some input about stress management.
78I think I'd be better off starting from the basics and looking at all the strategies, don't you?
79Yes, from what you've told me, I think that's more in line with your situation.
80Alright then,
81can I book a place on the 'Study for Success' seminar course now?
82Yes.
83Let me just get out a registration form and take down your details.