5. My Studies

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The academic year consists of two terms. The autumn term begins on the 1^st of September. It lasts four months: September, October, November, and December. The spring term begins in February and ends in May. We have examinations in January and June. During the academic year we work hard. We are very busy and have a lot of work to do with our studies. We must attend all classes. We read up in the reading-hall of the library, make reports and prepare course papers. If a student works hard during the academic year he usually passes the exams successfully. But if a student does not work regularly he fails in the examinations.

Many experienced teachers work at our Institute. We study various subjects. The curriculum consists of specialized subjects and general subject. My favourite subject is Physics. I’m fond of Mathematics too. I also study professional subjects such as Psychology, History of Pedagogics, Pedagogics and Methods of Teaching. Students have lectures, seminars and practical lessons. They also take practice at school.

We have holidays twice a year in winter (in January) and in summer (in July and August). Winter holidays are short, they last only two weeks; summer holidays are much longer, they last two months.

All students learn some foreign language, I learn English. I like this subject, but it is a difficult subject for me. That’s why I have to work hard at it. I always do my homework in English. I know if I work at English regularly I’ll muster it by all means. It is very pleasant when you can read, speak on various topics, translate from English into Russian and from Russian into English.

6. History of University and College

Universities originated in Europe during the 11^th century, but they were not the first in the world. Perhaps, the university of Al-Azhar founded in Cairo in 970 is one of the oldest still operating universities in the world.

European universities developed from monastery schools and their development took place so slowly that it is difficult to know the point at which they become universities. Many scholars believe that the oldest European university is the University of Bologna, Italy. It was founded in the late 10^th century, but it had existed as a law school since 890. The University of Paris developed during the 11^th century. Many other universities appeared in Europe during the 12^th and 13^th centuries.

The oldest universities in Britain were founded in the Middle Ages. They have much in common and are, therefore often spoken together, and are called collectively for convenience as Oxbridge. The word «college» appeared later. There were no colleges at those early days and students’ life was very different from what it is now. Students were of all ages and came from everywhere. When the students began to settle in Oxford in the 12^th century they lived as they could, lodging in inns and with townsfolk, or grouping themselves together and renting a house for their use. The first college (Merton College) was founded in 1249 and it was associated only with the residence for students to lodge. Life in college was strict. Students were not allowed to play games, to sing or dance, to hunt or even to fish. Later, however, colleges developed into complete educational institutions.