ANNOUNCER:You will hear two students talking about their university studies.First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 26.
Martina:Oh, hi, George.How's it going?
George:Hi, Martina.It's going well.How about you?How's university life?
Martina:Well, it's great.Apart from the studying, of course.
George:Yeah, me too.What are you studying?I seem to remember that you were going to do art.That was your best subject, wasn't it?
Martina:No, not really.I just liked the teacher.He was French and had an amazing accent.My favorite subject was history, but I couldn't see what career that would give me.
George:Ah, right.So what did you choose?
Martina:Well, I found it really difficult to decide.I was really good at science, but I must admit, I never really enjoyed studying it.So, in the end, I decided to opt for English, which was my second favorite subject.And I thought it would be more useful to me than studying anything else.So, that's what I'm doing.And how are you finding university?
George:Well, it's a bit of a challenge I suppose.
Martina:Are you finding it difficult?
George:Well, some of it, I'm doing Mechanical Engineering, which is really interesting.But it covers quite a lot of areas, like materials science, machine design, physics, and of course mechanics, and they're all fine.But it's maths that I'm struggling with.It's a lot harder than it was at school.
Martina:I can believe it.Oh. It all sounds very difficult to me.But then, I never was very good at mechanical things.I suppose it must involve some practical work.
George:Well, not at the moment, currently, it's nearly all theory.So it's a bit heavy going.
Martina:I guess you need to start with that, so that you can get a grasp of the concepts, and learn a few facts before you start putting it into practice.It must be a lot different to the course that I'm taking.
George:Yes, but in a few weeks we'll be having a lot more practical experience.In fact, I've got a great assignment this term, working on jet engines.Which means I'll be going on a few field trips to a nearby airport.
Martina:Oh, that's great.It sounds like you're going to be very busy.
George:Yes, I'm not sure how I'm going to cope with the work.We have a lot of lectures, and that's fine.The lecturers are very knowledgeable, and I learn a lot from them.But we also have a lot of seminars.And I find with so many people expressing their views, it can get quite frustrating.It would be better if we didn't have so many of those.
Martina:Yes, it's the same for me.
ANNOUNCER:Now listen and answer questions 27 to 30.
Martina:Um - how are the students at your place?
George:Well, I haven't really met anyone yet.They all seem a bit quiet.
Martina:Perhaps they're working hard.They don't appear to be very studious here.But they are very friendly.I must say, I've been doing a lot of sitting around and chatting over the last week or so.
George:Well that's good.The only person I've spoken to really is my tutor.He's very approachable, and seems to understand how difficult it can be starting university.
Martina:It's good to have someone you can talk to.And he may help you meet other students.
George:Actually, that doesn't bother me.I'm bound to get to know some people sooner or later.It's more a question of finding out what I need to do, where to go, and so on.I hope he can help me with that.
Martina:Oh, I would have thought so.Well, we certainly have a lot of work ahead of us.It seems like a long time, doesn't it?Studying for three years.
George:Yes, it does, but I'm sure it'll go quickly.You know I'm really dreading the first assessment.
Martina:Yes, for the course I'm doing, we have to hand our first one in at the end of next month.
George:Really?So have you got the topic yet?
Martina:No, but we'll get it soon.I'm not sure how much we have to write yet, not too much I hope.
George:I know what you mean.And it's hard to study, especially where I am now.
Martina:Oh, where are you living?
George:I'm living in a hall of residence.I thought that would be a good idea, as there'd be a lot of people around.But I'm finding it a bit noisy.I can see that I'm going to have problems when I really need to get down to some work.
Martina:So, I guess you need to be somewhere on your own then.
George:Yes.Well, I do like to have some people around me, so I'd prefer to live with a family somewhere, in a house not too far from the university.
Martina:Well, good luck with that.
George:Yes, thanks.And good luck to you as well.Oh, I have to dash now.I've another lecture in 10 minutes.Bye for now.
Martina:Bye.
ANNOUNCER:That is the end of section 3.You now have half a minute to check your answers.
