Part I
Student: Hi, thanks for seeing me on such short notice.
Counselor: No problem. How can I help?
Student: Well, I think I might have made a mistake coming to the school.
Counselor: What makes you say that?
Student: I'm a little overwhelmed by the size of this place. I come from a small town. There were only 75 of us in my high school graduating class. Everyone knew everyone. We all grew up together.
Counselor: So it's a bit of a culture shock for you? Being one of 15,000 students on a big campus in an unfamiliar city?
Student: That's an understatement. I just can't get comfortable in class or in the dorms. You know, socially.
Counselor: Um... well, let's start with your academics. Tell me about your classes.
Student: I'm taking mostly introductory courses and some are taught in these huge lecture halls.
Counselor: And you are having trouble in keeping pace with the material?
Student: No, in fact I got an A on my first economics paper. It's just that, it's so impersonal, I'm not used to it.
不，事实上，我的第一篇经济学论文得了 A。
1. on/at short notice
not long in advance; without warning or time for preparation 随时；一经通知立即；没有准备时间
E.g.: This was the best room we could get at such short notice.
这是我们临时能弄到的最好的房间了。
2. overwhelm |ˌəʊvəˈwelm|
verb. if you are overwhelmed by a feeling or event, it affects you very strongly, and you do not know how to deal with it （情感、事件等）使不知所措，使难以承受
E.g.: She was overwhelmed by feelings of guilt.
她感到愧疚难当。
3. culture shock
a feeling of confusion and anxiety that sb may feel when they live in or visit another country 文化冲击，文化休克（指在异国生活或访问时的一种困惑不安的感觉）
E.g.:Callum, recently arrived in Glasgow, is jobless, homeless, friendless, and suffering from culture shock.
卡勒姆初到格拉斯哥，没有工作，无家可归，无人倾诉，在文化冲击中挣扎。
4. understatement|ˌəʊvəˈwelm|
noun. a statement that makes sth seem less important, impressive, serious, etc. than it really is 不充分如实的陈述；轻描淡写的说明
E.g.:To say we were pleased is an understatement (= we were extremely pleased) .
说我们高兴，那是只是轻描淡写（我们超级高兴）。
5. keep pace with sb/sth
to move, increase, change, etc. at the same speed as sb/sth （与…）并驾齐驱；（与…）步调一致
E.g.:Until now, wage increases have always kept pace with inflation.
到目前为止，工资的增长与通货膨胀始终保持同步。
6. impersonal|ɪmˈpɜ:sənl|
adj. lacking friendly human feelings or atmosphere; making you feel unimportant 缺乏人情味的；冷淡的
E.g.:Business letters need not be formal and impersonal.
商业信函不一定就得刻板而缺乏人情味。
Part II
Counselor: Are all your classes impersonal?
Student: No, it's just that... for example, in sociology yesterday, the professor asked a question, so I raised my hand, several of us raised our hands. And I kept my hand up because I did the reading and knew the answer. But the professor just answered his own question and continued with the lecture.
Counselor: Well, in a big room it's possible he didn't notice you. Maybe he was trying to save time. In either case I wouldn't take it personally.
Student: I suppose. But I just don't know how to, you know, distinguish myself.
Counselor: Why not stop by his office during office hours?
Student: That wouldn't seem right. You know, taking time from other students who need help?
Counselor: Don't say that. That's what office hours are for. There is no reason you couldn't pop in to say hi and to make yourself known. If you are learning a lot in class, let the professor know. Wouldn't you appreciate positive feedback if you were a professor?
Student: You are right. That's a good idea.
我一直举着手，因为我读了阅读材料，我知道答案。
1. take sth personally
if you take someone's remarks personally, you are upset because you think that they are criticizing you in particular 把…看作是针对个人的
E.g.: Remember, stick to the issues and don't take it personally.
记住,就事论事,不要把问题个人化。
2. distinguish oneself
to do something very well or in a way that deserves special recognition使出众；使著名；使受人青睐
E.g.: She has already distinguished herself as an athlete.
作为运动员她已享有盛名。
3. pop |pɒp|
verb. to go somewhere quickly, suddenly or for a short time （突然或匆匆）去
E.g.: Why don't you pop in (= visit us) for a drink next time you're in the area?
下次来到这一带时，就到我们这儿小酌一杯如何？
4. feedback |ˈfi:dbæk|
noun. advice, criticism or information about how good or useful sth or sb's work is 反馈的意见（或信息）
E.g.: We need both positive and negative feedback from our customers.
我们需要顾客正反两方面的反馈意见。
Part III
Counselor: OK, er... let's turn to your social life. How's it going in the dorms?
Student: I don't have much in common with my roommate or anyone else I've met so far. Everyone's into sports and I'm more artsy, you know, into music. I play the cello.
Counselor: Hah, have you been playing long?
Student: Since age ten. It's a big part of my life. At home I was the youngest member of our community orchestra.
Counselor: You are not going to believe this. There is a string quartet on campus, all students. And it so happened that the cellist graduated last year. They've been searching high and low for a replacement, someone with experience. Would you be interested in auditioning?
Student: Absolutely. I wanted to get my academic work settled before pursuing my music here. But I think this would be a good thing for me. I guess if I really want to fit in here I should find people who love music as much as I do. Thank you.
Counselor: My pleasure.
我想在这里追求我的音乐之路前，先解决我的学业问题。
1. be into sth
(informal) to be interested in sth in an active way 对…十分感兴趣；很喜欢
E.g.: He's into surfing in a big way.
他迷上了冲浪运动。
2. artsy|ˈɑ:rtsi|
adj. seeming or wanting to be very artistic or interested in the arts 附庸风雅的；似乎爱好艺术的
E.g.: She hangs out with the artsy types she met at drama school.
她和一些在戏剧学校认识的附庸风雅的朋友常混在一起。
3. string quartet
A string quartet is a group of four musicians who play stringed instruments together. The instruments are two violins, a viola, and a cello. 弦乐四重奏乐团：两个小提琴，一个中提琴，一个大提琴。
E.g.: The guests were entertained by a string quartet.
一个弦乐四重奏乐团为客人们献艺演奏。
4. it (just) so happens that
by chance 碰巧；恰好
E.g.: It just so happened they'd been invited too.
他们碰巧也获得邀请。
5. high and low
everywhere 到处；各地
E.g.: I've searched high and low for my purse.
我到处找我的钱包。
6. audition |ˈɑ:rtsi|
verb. to take part in an audition 试演；试唱；试音
E.g.: She was auditioning for the role of Lady Macbeth.
她试演了麦克佩斯夫人的角色。
