For some of our number, the semester just passed wasn't only the first semester of the year but also the first semester of their lives outside school, as students and members of the adult world. We'd like to hear from the (surviving) first year students about their impressions of their first few months at College - and perhaps some more experienced readers will comment on those impressions in the light of their greater knowledge.
For what it's worth, my first semester at the College was marked by feelings of surprise at how little work I had to do, and how much the students complained about how much they had to. The latter, at least, has never changed...
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First semester at college
We are the best. We have survived although it was quite a difficult period of time. After winter holidays we are going to be students of the second semester. But let’s start from the beginning.
In October we came to college full of worry. We did not know if that school would be easy or very demanding. After first week many people were going to resign because of the requirements that teachers presented us. But we decided not to give up. Everybody went to the library and borrowed a number of English books. To be honest, I have never been to a library as many times as during those first weeks. I thought: “ It is a usual thing in each student’ s life. I should not worry.”
First test that we had was a British map. I failed it. I panicked again. I had to prepare myself for it one more time. I doubted if I was in a suitable school. But I passed and got a “B”. Fortunately it was a single incident. Although we had three or four tests in a week, I would pass them in the first time. Everybody studied hard for British Studies and Descriptive Grammar. Our favourite place at college is a xerox- room where we can copy books and notes.
Next months at college passed quickly and now we are preparing ourselves for our first exam in History. We are studying a lot (of course) and believe that we will be able to struggle with the next semester.
The first term in Teacher Training College is finished. Students collected all their marks which was effortful. It was not easy for everybody, because some students have not received all marks so far.
Throughout the last semester we had contact with friendly and polite teachers who served a lot of tests, so we had to learn a lot and systematically. If we did not know or understand something we could ask them and they told us about helpful literature or they just explained to us. Moreover we had an opportunity to listen to English recordings on practical subjects such as listening. Apart from that we had four more practical subject. Students sometimes did not have classes because of absence of teacher who had been ill, for this reason classes were cancelled. In general, someone who wanted to learn and improve his or her knowledge, teachers tried to give a chance to correct unsatisfactory notes, sometimes even several times. Many students made a progress and they got more experiences. We could meet new people holding the attention at different ages.
To sum up, the first term was demanding. I had been learning English approximately only three years before I came to this College, maybe that is why I think that was a bit hard. Although, I believe that this school can prepare me really well.
It is quite common that impressions concerning new school can be really deceptive and are often slightly different from the reality. Now, when I gained some experience in this field, I can share it with you and try to convince you that attending the college may turn out to be something you will never forget!
If you assume that you will be given some time to gradually immerse into the atmosphere that reigns in the college and the new approaching duties- it is the first huge mistake you��re made. First semester at Teacher Training College was an extremely demanding period of time, characterized by military self-discipline, sleep shortage and coffee overuse.
When I finally got use to this new hard-working pattern I discovered that I am not an exception to the rule and all of my classmates also try as they may to obtain final signatures. And it really doesn��t matter that we accidentally improved our English too... Obviously it happened as soon as we had learnt by heart tones of additional materials��
Seriously speaking I have to admit that I don��t regret any moment I devoted to attending this college. I met marvellous people, improved my language skills and started an utterly new stage of life. And even this ��small�� dope of hard work can��t spoil the pleasure of being a proud member of this wonderful school!
Daria Spurtacz,
Grupa I dzienna
In the previous year I started attending the Teacher Training College in Sieradz. This college divides into two groups: the evening group and day group. I got into the day group and I survived the first semester. I am going to describe this time and feelings during this semester.
At the beginning I was terrified because it was a new place, new acquaintances I am attending the group which has 18 students and my group is really the besting this college. After the first month I got used to this place and people. Day after day we had more and more homework, tests and presentations. It was a difficult time to us. I was scared of one subject about British Studies. It was terrible when I had to go at this classes I was sick. Second really boring subject was Descriptive Grammar. At this classes we were interested in other things mainly our homework. I was tired but I learnt everything. I spent a lot of time on doing the homework. But I wanted to survive the first semester in this school and I am sure that it was valuable to me because now I am in the second semester.
That semester was very difficult to me and my friends but we are really happy that our group remains without any changes. I hope that the second semester will be a little bit easy without many difficulties.
Teacher Training College- the sad reality you had to face?
New school- new challenges, new friendships- this is what you expect when you go to the College. Unfortunately sometimes our expectations are bigger than the reality. If such situation takes place, you must be in Teacher Training College.
The first semester is the most important because we are in a new situation- twenty-five hours of English instead of three (as it was in most of secondary schools). In addition every teacher has its own system, so there is nothing else to do like to fit in to survive. This can be really difficult when you meet more than sixty pages of xerox copies on your way. Then you know- the night is yours. The end of the semester is the worst. You even don’t recognize things in your room because they are all covered in copies.
In spite of the fact that it is hard, it can be enjoying at times. Everyone knows that only people can make things better. In a group of friends every class can be interesting- the thing is that we should learn how to make it interesting for us and enjoy the small things. In addition the lessons with a native speaker can make fun- jokes and misunderstandings are unavoidable.
It is difficult to say why someone stays here. It can’t be such a bad place because everyone fights to survive. The question is: how tough one should be to survive all three years?
All my friends knew what and where they wanted to study. I can say that I was an exception. My plans for the nearest future was to: work, earn some money and go to evening school. As a matter of fact the Teacher Training College where I'm now, I chose without earlier considerations. I took two entrance exams and got into a daily group.
My first semester in the college brought lots of new experiences, I made new friends, took part in lessons and learnt hard to get satisfying notes. Apart from it my live changed too. Teacher Training College has got its own "tiny things" which made it special. For a first-year-student like me such "things" were very important. We had to know our teachers better, their attitude to students. For example British Studies are loved by our head teacher. This subject is his passion and students learn it by heart.
A very helpful person in our small community is Mr. Doruch. He is a copy maker and he produces lots of copies for us, which saves our bottoms not once. A big convenience for students is a student room where we can learn, prepare tea or coffee, talk to each other.
These are the things which I observed in this semester. In this school every day brings something new and exciting I made a huge progress in English and I try to develop in even and we will have winter holiday. After it starts a new semester with new challenges, problems and successes.
Have you ever been overstressed about school? I have that`s why in last year I started going to college. It was really exciting event in my life, which changed almost everything.
I chose the best school in my town. I thought that it would be a pleasant place. But as we started our lessons we were so scared like in the first day of our primary school. Hopefully,
I made friends very fast. Every day we helped each other in almost everything that`s why we didn`t know so much about organization lessons at that time. Each teacher wanted to give us instructions in our struggle with hard language – English. On the other hand they are very interesting people. They can teach us and develop their passions in the same time. Sometimes it is really funny.
Each week we had a lot of tests, learnt lots of things and took part in lessons. We were a bit of tired but when we got our good notes. We were so delighted, that we forgot about pose hard times. I know it sounds like some complaints each student but it isn`t. I am keen of studying English because it is a very important language all over the world.
We started a new semester with a hope in our eyes. I think everything will be amazing, because we have survived half a year here and we believe in our abilities.
First semester in a new school is always a big challenge for a student. New teachers, the atmosphere full of suspense makes the fact that I felt uncomfortable At the Teacher Training College in Sieradz.
First of all I didn’t expect that I will pass entrance exams. I new that a lot of work was waiting for me, but I thought that I would manage with it easily. As it turned out I was wrong. As a student I had thirteen different subjects which were led in English. Most difficult for me were British studies as well as Descriptive grammar. I didn’t understand how sounds and processes connected with their production could be interesting for an ordinary person. During these classes I felt like in Physics lesson. Fortunately after a few weeks I started to understand it a bit.
First three weeks were very exhausting. I had a lot of work, much more than in my previous school. Each teacher wanted the student to be prepared for his classes. But sometimes it was simply impossible. I realized that to obtain good notes in this school I had to start organizing my time more effectively. In addition, I met a lot of interesting people who are with me in one group.
All in all first semester was quite demanding in terms of study, but with a good cooperation and organization of time my final results were quite satisfying. I am glad that I am attending this school and I hope that the second semester will be better.
The summer holidays ended and I had to go to the new school for the first time. One could say that I should feel awful and dejected because of it. But I didn’t. I was looking forward to new semester with excitement and I was curious what people I would meet, how lessons would look like, if I would be able to pass all the tests and so on. First of all, I had hoped to meet nice, amiable people in new school. But I never expected they would be so great and gorgeous! Rafał as well as Kasia are extremely hilarious, Daria is always ready to help others, Michał – ‘Paperball’ – is a droll guy from the last desk. Secondly, the tests during the first semester were not so arduous as I had thought, however I had to spend much of my precious time on learning. Of course I will have one more exam next week, but I know it will be a piece of cake. Moreover, teachers most often turned out to be amicable and helpful people. Although there were, like always and everywhere, some exceptions, I can say they are illustrations of good language teachers. Worth mentioning is also ‘Mr. Staszek’ who seems to be, apart from being ‘xeroman’, a nice buddy. All in all, the first semester in t.T.T.C. in Sieradz was amazing mostly thanks to the people creating this college. I hope the next semesters will be at least as agreeable as the first one.
My first semester in the college!
New school is usually a new chapter in our life. It means different duties, people and experiences. Someone may connect it with their hopes for better changes but there is no doubt the beginnings are always hard therefore it is important not to be afraid and face the fears.
My first days in the college frightened me. I was scared due to huge parts of material and classes conducted in English. It was difficult to get used to a new surroundings and show the knowledge after so long holidays. As I was sitting in the classroom and listening to my colleagues talking in English I was slowly falling in depression. ‘What am I doing here?’ I thought. Fortunately I didn’t resign and I challenged myself. It wasn’t easy of course but I have tried as I could. The small successes motivated me to further work. Besides I made friends with the new easy-going and sociable people. We met from time to time to get to know one another better and from different sides. We would go just for a pizza or beer after the classes. What is more I could always count on their help in case of any difficulties. There is no time for boredom in their company so our breaks are extremely funny.
To sum up…my first semester in the college was totally different disparate experience. There were some bad moments but also cheerful periods. I am very proud of myself that I managed to survive this time. I hope the next semester will be so satisfying like the former one.
My first semester was really exciting. I’ve met many gorgeus people, including sensitive teachers. The atmosphere in school is splendid and I’m proud that I’m a part of it. But let’s start from the beginning.
It’s my second university. I was at University of Łódź before but there is no comparison between them. The beginning wasn’t easy, I was a bit afraid when I first came here. I had heard many frightening stories about the college and the teaching methods, but the reality shows something totally different. It’s obvious that it’s hard to survive but it depends on your attitude. I’m really surprised that I managed to pass onto second semester. The reason is I have a fantastic group of people who help in critical situations and we have a great time together too. We have caughing Jack who is ill all the time, Tomek ‘the elder man’ and Rafał ‘Blondas’, my buddies. We all occupy the last two desks. We’ve got one another dude Damian, nickname ‘The Swan’. Besides there are our outshining group leader Marta, her desk-mate Magda who live in a place where the devil says goodnight, Daria who is one of the cleverest girls I’ve ever met, another Magda who always says sad and depressed stories. These people and the other I don’t mention, formed probably the best class I’ve ever been in.
To sum up, I’ll try to do my best to graduate from this school and stay cool with my class friends.
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