costly
expensive
EXAMPLE: We can't afford a new car right now. Buying one would be too costly for us.
field of study
the subject you choose to study
EXAMPLE: Medicine is a broad field of study. There is so much to learn!
focused
paying close attention to something
EXAMPLE: My daughter is really focused on her studies. I can't even get her to go out to dinner with the family.
network
(verb) to use social events to meet people who might be useful for you in business
EXAMPLE: Outgoing people find it easy to network. They enjoy going to events and meeting people who could help them advance their careers.
qualifications
the skills, qualities, education, or experience that you need in order to do something
EXAMPLE: The main qualification for this job is the ability to speak Spanish.
trend
a general development or change in a situation
EXAMPLE: There is a trend toward buying electric cars. They are becoming more popular every day.
individual
a person, especially when considered separately and not as part of a group
EXAMPLE: We understand each person is different and unique. We try to treat our students as individuals.
internship
the time when a student learns about a particular job by doing it for a short period of time
EXAMPLE: My summer internship is at 3M. I'm going to work there for 2 months in computer programming. I need to do this in order to complete my university degree.
introductory course
one of the first classes you take at college
EXAMPLE: In the introductory courses, we learned basic information about the subject.
lower
(verb) reduce
EXAMPLE: Tuition is getting pretty expensive. I really hope I can get a scholarship which will lower the amount I need to pay.
midlife
middle age, about 40 - 60
EXAMPLE: Some people decide to go back to school in midlife. They are a bit older and more experienced.
rewarding
satisfying or beneficial
EXAMPLE: Going back to school was a rewarding experience. I made lots of new friends and gained valuable knowledge.
suddenly
quickly and unexpectedly
EXAMPLE: I was relaxing on the sofa when suddenly there was a loud noise in the street. I ran to the window and saw that there had been an accident!
test out of
not have to take a course because you already know the material
EXAMPLE: I had studied French all through middle and high school. When I got to college, I tested out of the foreign language requirement.
use something to your advantage
let something be beneficial to you
EXAMPLE: I am very tall. I used my height to my advantage when I tried out for the basketball team. The coach picked me!
a number of
several, many
EXAMPLE: There are a number of different courses you can take at our school: English, GED, para, driver's education, and even CNA.
college credits
part of the number of hours counting toward your degree
EXAMPLE: Each of these classes is worth three credits. I need 120 credits to graduate.
common
usual, typical
EXAMPLE: It is common for people to focus on their education again after starting families.
depends on
determined by
EXAMPLE: I'm not sure if I can go to college this year. It depends on our financial situation. Will my spouse make enough to support us both if I give up my job? Will we be able to afford the tuition?
discrimination
treating a person or particular group differently (worse) because of their race, age, gender, etc.
EXAMPLE: Discrimination against older people is called "ageism." It is illegal.
factor
a fact or situation that influences the result of something
EXAMPLE: Price is one of the factors to consider when buying a car. Another factor is its reliability. And another is the way it looks.
in order to
"In order to" explains why
EXAMPLE: My brother works full time in order to support his wife and children. His wife always leaves work at 2 p.m. in order to pick up their kids from school.
anecdote
a short story about something that happened to you or someone else
anecdotal evidence
when you use a short story as evidence to support a claim