What’s the point of studying? It’s something you might ask yourself if you’re _______ to finish an assignment, _______ if your friends seem to be out having fun, or are _______ and earning lots of money.

Many of us choose to go to university as a first step towards a good _______, but sometimes graduates are educated beyond what is necessary for a job. Even so, according to a research conducted by an organization, a _______ will, in the long run, earn you more. What’s more, there are _______ in your earning potential. A researcher says that graduates of the 24 Russell Group universities earn about 40% more than those who studied at other universities after five years.

_______, it found it’s not just the location but other factors that can _______ what you can earn. For example, graduates in subjects such as law and medicine _______ to do well. And as they progress, the pay gap between these careers and others, such as the creative arts, ________. Also, a student’s ________ background can have an effect, with those from households highly valuing education much more likely to go to university, and mostly likely a ________ one.

But if you still don’t feel university delivers the best work opportunities, there are ________ words from Alistair Jarvis, head of Universities UK, who says that graduates are half as likely to be ________ as non-graduates. So maybe all that studying is ________ — after all “no pains, no gains”!

Teacher-Centred Versus Student-Centred Classes

Over the past few decades, teaching styles have changed significantly. Many teachers no longer feel satisfied with lecture-style, teacher-centered learning. A student-centered teaching style has been shown to have _________ benefits for both teachers and students

Student-centered learning can help students take an active interest in their education. Attendance is a(n)_________ in today’s universities and colleges. Some students fail to attend classes, while others doze off or socialize during class time. Students who are forced or at least encouraged to participate in discussions and answer questions aloud _________ pay attention. Studies have shown that answering questions aloud improves understanding and retention. _________ students’ participation may help them realize that going to class is more effective than _________ reading the textbook on their own, without the aid of a teacher.

At first glance, student-centered learning tends to make teaching a more _________ task. It requires instructors to think of ways to _________ their students and make sure that each one is participating. In reality, _________, student-centered learning is of great benefit to teachers. When students are forced to express their opinions and answer questions _________, it is easy for the instructor to see where students are having trouble. This type of communication between teachers and students can greatly enhance a teacher’s understanding of what the students have learned or missed.

Another __________ of student-centered learning is that it can enable students to improve their __________ skills. Under a teacher-centered mode of instruction, students have little or no opportunity to interact with their peers. __________ opportunities to build communication and teamwork skills may be severely limited. One of the important functions of higher education, including in-class learning, should be to prepare students for a smooth__________ into society and the workplace. Only by encouraging student participation and interaction can universities__________ students’ ability to make this shift smoothly and effectively.

Student-centered learning helps teachers do a better job of planning what material they are going to teach and how best to present it to their students. Students find this type of learning not only more__________ but also much more effective than teacher-centered learning.

When I got to high school at the age of 16, I took art classes for all of my electives. I began looking at ________ and I knew New York City had the best design schools; the ________ was deciding which one was the best fit for me. I found FIT was a good fit because it could throw you into your area of ________ immediately and absorb you in the culture of New York City.

I’ve always felt like I’ll ________ FIT because I know the fashion design program is probably ________ at times, but that is one of the things I love about the fashion industry. It’s constantly moving, changing and looking ________. There’s no time to slow down and think about anything but what’s ________ next. Not only is fashion an ever ________ industry, it is also an expensive industry. In situations where it’s ________ to get your words out right, the way you present yourself is a form of ________. I like fashion and art in general because I can use it to reveal things about myself to people who don’t ________ me that well and to express my opinions or ________.

Once I got settled in high school and got more ________ in my art classes, I moved my ________ towards learning more about design. My school offers lots of art classes. ________, fashion design is not included. So I have to search for ________ on my own. The summer after my freshman year I ________ a two-week class at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston. I ________ at 8 each morning and learned how to draw a figure with fashion proportions (比例) and even ________ my first clothing. There were ups and downs to this program, ________ this pre-college experience has helped me realize that this is what I need to be doing, and that I don’t want to give up until I’m doing it.