TOEFL is the most stressful thing for CESL students

It is very stressful for everybody to take the TOEFL test. During the night before the day of the TOEFL test, some students feel stressed. They can’t sleep very well and some of them can’t sleep all night. When they are taking the TOEFL test, the most stressful aspect is the time control. They have the same experience that they can’t finish all of the questions in the test time. They usually spend a lot of time on a confusing question. When they think that they don’t have any time to answer other questions, they just hope that they have luck to choose the right answers. So practice makes perfect. They can control their time by practicing the TOEFL test in their free time. They will become better and better at controlling their time and finishing all of the questions.
By Jeremy

Plagiarism : of Importance in the American University

In this modern world we can get information from TV programs, magazines, newspapers, and the internet. When I studied in the university, there was a lot of homework about reading reaction and projects. A student usually found the articles on the internet and copied other people’s opinions to become their homework. Sometimes I also did that, too. When I came to SIUC, coping an opinion or researching from other people and not mentioning where this research came from was a big problem for students. They even were kicked out of the university. So plagiarism is a serious issue to students who study in the university. This also gave me a good understanding about respecting thoughts and researching from other people. I also don’t like other students to steal my research and opinions. This is a good view to everyone.

By Jeremy

My American life in SIUC

I am glad that I can come to America to learn English and know American culture, and I am able to be a student again. In the last term of CESL I went back to my country, Taiwan. I went to meet my dear parents and visited my best friends. How did I describe my American life? The best way was that I had a good lunch or dinner with my friends and showed the pictures about my daily life in Carbondale. I could tell them about CESL classes, my trips in the U.S., my new American friends and international students from anywhere in the word. I also told them my special experience while studying in America, such as my experience of going to a hospital, a special culture which is different from culture of Taiwan, and experience about shopping in the U.S. There are a lot of differences between Taiwan and America. Students in America usually drive cars and ride bicycles to the campus, but students in Taiwan usually ride scooters. In the university, I can make a lot of friends from all different places in the word. This is a special experience to know friends from different countries.
By Jeremy

Stress of CESL students and Me

CESL students have a lot of stress. The most stressful part is how much time they need to spend in CESL and go into SIUC. Because most students want to study in an American university and they need to pass their TOEFL scores and CESL classes, the university will accept their application. Some students can pass but some students can’t; this is a CESL student’s most stressful thing. My big stressful thing is talking with American people by using English, because I sometimes don’t understand what they say. One time I lost my luggage in the airport; I had no idea how to do anything. I was nervous, and tried to find an easy way to connect with them and find a way to deal with my luggage problem. It drove me crazy. Now I don't get my luggage back and I still need to wait for 4 weeks to get the result of my luggage.

By Jeremy

Mechanical engineer

In the future I will be a mechanical engineer. I think it is not a bad job, because I will get a salary that is not bad. But a good salary means high stress. Every day I need to work over eight hours and I need to work in the middle of the night. Long working time will make me have less sleeping time, have no time to hang out with my friends and or get a girlfriend. I also think it is not a long career for me if I want a healthy body. But I think it is good training for me to have a good experience.

by Jeremy