Page 6 - Reading And Listening

Glossary
Reading
Beyond : out of
Syllabi : a plan of course
A. Circle the words that are new for you based on the Assignments : tasks
following reading text. Familiar : easy to recognize

College: Your Academic Wake-up Call
By Matthew Castoral

Not trying to make you jealous now, but, for me, high school was a breeze. I never studied,
was unorganized, and drifted off in class more often than I should have. Somehow—and this is still
beyond my understanding—I finished with a solid GPA and graduated near the top of my class.
So, naturally, coming into college, my mindset was the same: “If I could get through high school
without trying, then college shouldn’t be too different.” But, I was wrong. Not only was I
unprepared for the workload, but I had no idea how to manage my time so that I could balance
my social life with my academic life.

But, it’s not too late for you! Staying organized will make your transition from high school to
college much easier than just “going with the flow.” Before all classes begin, keep these in your
mind. Keep an agenda on you at all times, and after you receive the syllabi for each of your
courses, make sure to set some time aside to copy all of the assignments into it. Not only will this
help you to stay on top of your workload, but it will also help you develop planning and time-
management skills.

Also, make sure you go to class! When I say, “go to class,” I am referring to actually sitting
and paying attention to the lesson, not showing up for attendance and then sneaking out of the
room when no one is looking. Make sure to take good notes, print out any additional material that
the professor has posted online, read the textbook, and never be afraid to ask for help or
clarification. Most professors will be more than happy to help you; after all, what professor would
not admire a student’s dedication? A dedicated student will not stop the effort only in the class.
Take advantage of all the resources your school has to offer: go to the library, get a tutor, or even
start a study group with other students you are familiar with. College is what you make of it, and
in the end, it is your choices that will determine whether you sink or swim.

Taken from www.collegexpress.com
B. Write down all your new words here. Then, find the word that is more familiar for you to replace
the new word.

New words Familiar words New words Familiar words
college university

General English 3