COUNSELLOR: It’s a good idea to find out from your lecturers if they mind you recording the lectures. You only need one of those small cassette recorders. The quality is pretty good and a second listening can really clarify things. Something else you can do is check your notes with a friend after the lecture.

JOHN: Yes. That’s a good idea. Thanks. It's hard to do all that all the lime though, especially when there's so much reading to do.

COUNSELLOR: Yes. It’s important, though, not to confine yourself to reading on your subject. You should also read things of general interest that appeal to you. You know, novels, newspapers, that kind of thing. Do you have a good dictionary?

JOHN: Not really. I've never bothered with one.

COUNSELLOR: Mmmm. It would probably be a good idea to get one. Dictionaries are not expensive and they can help a lot. Also you can underline or highlight new words and...