1Hi Jeannie. How's it going?
2Oh. Hello Dan.
3Pretty well, thanks.
4Have you managed to get the money for the course yet?
5Yes, that's all sorted out now, thanks.
6It took long enough, though.
7It was practically a year ago that I applied to my local council for a grant,
8and it took them six months to turn me down.
9That's really slow.
10And I thought I was eligible for government funding,
11but it seems I was mistaken.
12So then I asked the boss of the company I used to work for if they would sponsor me,
13and much to my surprise, he said they'd make a contribution.
14But what about college grants and scholarships?
15There must be some you could apply for.
16Yes, there are,
17but they're all so small that I decided to leave them until I was desperate.
18And in fact, I didn't need to apply.
19My parents had been saying that as I already had a job, I ought to support myself through college.
20But in the end, they took pity on me, so now I've just about got enough.
21That's good.
22So now I can put a bit of effort into meeting people.
23Haven't had time so far.
24Any suggestions?
25What about joining some college clubs?
26Oh right. You joined several, didn't you?
27Yes, I'm in the drama club.
28It's our first performance next week,
29so we're rehearsing frantically, and I've got behind with my work,
30but it's worth it.
31I'm hoping to be in the spring production, too.
32I've never liked acting.
33Are you doing anything else?
34I enjoyed singing when I was at school,
35so I joined a group when I came to college.
36I don't think the conductor stretches us enough, though
37so I'll give up after the next concert.
38And I also joined the debating society.
39It's fun, but with all the rehearsing I'm doing, something has to go,
40and I'm afraid that's the one.
41Do you do any sports?
42Yes, I'm in one of the hockey teams.
43I'm not very good, but I'd really miss it if I stopped.
44I decided to try tennis when I came to college,
45and I'm finding it pretty tough going.
46I'm simply not fit enough.
47Nor me.
48I think I'll give that a miss!
49I'm hoping it'll help me to build up my stamina,
50but it'll probably be a long haul.
51Good luck.
52Thanks.
53How are you finding the course?
54I wish we had more seminars.
55What?
56I'd have thought we had more than enough already.
57All those people saying clever things that I could never think of -
58it's quite interesting, but I wonder if I'm clever enough to be doing this course.
59I find it helpful to listen to the other people.
60I like the way we're exploring the subject,
61and working towards getting insight into it.
62How do you get on with your tutor?
63I don't think I'm on the same wavelength as mine,
64so I feel I'm not getting anything out of the tutorials.
65It would be more productive to read a book instead.
66Oh, mine's very demanding.
67She gives me lots of feedback and advice,
68so I've got much better at writing essays.
69And she's helping me plan my revision for the end-of-year exams.
70Do you tell me, I always struggle with revision.
71Well, the first thing is to find out exactly what's required in the exams.
72Would it help to get hold of some past papers?
73Yes.
74They'll help to make it clear.
75Right, I'll do that.
76Then what?
77Then you can sort out your revision priorities,
78based on what's most likely to come up.
79I put these on a card, and read them through regularly.
80But that isn't enough in itself.
81You also need a timetable, to see how you can fit everything in, in the time available.
82Then keep it in front of you while you're studying.
83I've done that before, but it hasn't helped me!
84Maybe you need to do something different every day,
85so if you break down your revision into small tasks, and allocate them to specific days,
86there's more incentive to tackle them.
87With big topics you're more likely to put off starting.
88Good idea.
89And as I revise each topic
90I write a single paragraph about it -
91then later I can read it through quickly, and it helps fix things in my mind.
92That's brilliant.
93I also write answers to questions for the exam practice.
94It's hard to make myself do it, though!
95Well, I'll try.
96Thanks a lot, Jeannie. That's a great help.
97No problem.
98See you around.
99Bye.