STUDENT: Hi, Professor Jamison, I was hoping we could talk this week about choosing courses for next semester.

TUTOR: That sounds great! Any idea yet what you would like to take?

STUDENT: Well, I was hoping you could kind of tell me. There are so many to choose from. I don't even know where to start!

TUTOR: Sure. {[Well, first thing's first. Do you know what you will major in? It is important to take courses that are relevant to your career path][1]}.

STUDENT: Well, I think I want to major in Biology. I want to go to medical school, so it seems like it would make sense.

TUTOR: I agree -- if you like Biology, it is definitely a good idea to focus on that since so many of thè requirements overlap.

STUDENT: Okay, so I should take a few Biology classes then?

TUTOR: Yes. Let's start there. You should pick one or two Biology classes. Not just any Biology classes, though! {[If possible, read online or talk to senior fellows and find out about the structure of the courses ][2]}. You don't want to end up signing up for two classes that require labs in the same semester -- you'll spend so much time in the Biology Department that you won't see the light of day.

STUDENT: Oh right, good idea. I heard labs can be as long as 4 hours.

TUTOR: That is true. {[And another thing -- make sure the topic is either relevant to your major, or something you are interested in learning about][3]}. It sounds obvious, but do not just take a class because you heard it was easy, or because it does not require attendance.

STUDENT: Of course not. Though it would be really nice to have at least one class, that's a little bit less rigorous than the ones I'm taking this semester. I barely sleep as it is with all this studying.

TUTOR: That may have more to do with your study habits, though I don't disagree that your schedule is really difficult this semester.

TUTOR: So any idea which Biology classes you may decide on for next semester?

STUDENT: Well, I was thinking of taking Human Physiology -- it sounds relevant and interesting.

TUTOR: I think it is an interesting class, but I would recommend against it. {[You are already in Human Anatomy, which also covers Physiology so it would be repetitive, and probably not the best use of your time][4]}.

STUDENT: If I already know some of the stuff, I could take it to boost my GPA a little bit.

TUTOR: Um, you could maybe do that, except the professor that teaches it is famous for giving out the fewest A's of any professor.

STUDENT: Oh wow. Never mind.

TUTOR: Now, changing subjects, have you decided yet on your research topic?

STUDENT: Well, I actually decided. I don't want to do a research paper. I'm going to do a dissertation instead. {[I think I will much more enjoy coming up with a thesis and finding all the details to support it ][5]}.

TUTOR: I see. Didn't you already do some of the research though? What happened to that?

STUDENT: Well, I started doing research. {[Then the more data I collected, the more complicated things got][6]}. I realised I would have to take a lot more steps to randomise the sample, and then I realised I would need to control for more factors.

TUTOR: I see. What kind of data collection did you do?

STUDENT: {[I interviewed employees at the water treatment facility after Professor Dickinson recommended it][7]}.

TUTOR: I understand. Well, the research paper could be much more outside work, but it may be worth it if that is what you are interested in.

STUDENT: No, I am a lot happier just doing the dissertation.

TUTOR: That's fine with me. Just remember, you need to finish your first draft and send it in soon. It's already the middle of February!

STUDENT: Oh wow, it is, isn't it? {[I just have to finish it by the end of March, right?][8]}

TUTOR: Yep, but don't forget! The date will really sneak up on you.

STUDENT: OK, I'll make sure to set reminders in my calendar. And who do I talk to about registering my dissertation?

TUTOR: {[You should go to the Department Office, and then talk to the secretary][9]}.

STUDENT: I thought I needed to talk to the Department Head.

TUTOR: Not for registering. If you need help developing your dissertation, that's when you should go to the Department Head.

STUDENT: Oh, I see. And who would I see about getting access to the database of past research on my topic?

TUTOR: {[That you can find in the computer lab, specifically in the office -- you'll have to ask a lab technician to give you access.][10]}

STUDENT: Okay. Well, I'll go ahead and get started on that then. Thanks!

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