IELTS Cambridge 18: University Students and Main Subjects
Many university students want to learn about different subjects in addition to
their main subjects. Others feel it is more important to give all their time and
attention to studying for their qualification.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Many university students are now inclined to divide their time between studying
for their major and pursuing interests in unrelated subjects. In my opinion, it
is crucial for undergraduates to learn about a wide range of disciplines in order
to best prepare themselves for the future.
Those who support prioritizing one’s major
argue the importance of specialization. At university, there are a range of
potential distractions related to social life and living on one’s own. If a graduate
wants to be successful in a future career, the most logical pathway is to prepare
diligently in a one specialization. For instance, an undergraduate learning
about chemical engineering will be a better potential candidate for well-paid
positions if they have acquired a solid theoretical foundation and accumulated
whatever practical experience is available in their courses.
Any diversions that detract from this focus could hinder their early career
progression.
However, it is in fact more valuable long-term to view learning as
an interdisciplinary experience. Many graduates will change or at least
alter their professions as they begin working. Even those who remain in the
same industry will benefit greatly from studying a variety of subjects.
The above-mentioned engineer might be able to study about figure
drawing outside their main courses and come up with more creative ideas that
combine multiple subjects in their main work. Even if the other subjects are
not directly applicable to work, at the minimum they are likely to feel they have
become a more diverse and well-rounded individual on a personal level.
In conclusion, though time spent on one’s university major can lead to
an improved discrete skillset, there is far greater value in possessing a breadth
of knowledge. This range of information will serve as the foundation for
a potentially more creative and fulfilling career and personal life.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help
you remember the new vocabulary:
now inclined to divide their time between studying for their major and these
days like to split time on their main subject and other subjects
pursuing interests in unrelated subjects looking into different subject areas
it is crucial for undergraduates important for students at university
wide range of disciplines lots of different subjects
in order to so that
best prepare better get ready for
Those who support prioritizing one’s major argue the people in favor of
focusing on just their main subject
importance value
specialization focusing on one area
range of potential distractions related to social life lots of possible ways to not
focus concerning personal life
living on one’s own not living with parents
successful doing well
most logical pathway clearest way
prepare diligently get ready carefully
chemical engineering working with chemicals to make things
better potential candidate good applicants
well-paid positions good jobs
acquired get
solid theoretical foundation good understanding of the basics of a subject
accumulated whatever practical experience is available in their courses get
real-life experience from their classes
diversions distractions
detract distract
focus concentration
hinder their early career progression hurt how well they do in their first job
long-term in the future
view learning see studying
interdisciplinary experience studying lots of different subjects
graduates people who finish school
at least alter at minimum change a it
professions jobs
remain in the same industry stay in the same area
benefit greatly get a lot from
studying a variety of subjects learning lots of areas
above-mentioned engineer worker I talked about before
figure drawing learning to draw people
come up with think of
creative ideas imaginative concepts
multiple many
directly applicable to work can be use at work
at the minimum at least
diverse different
well-rounded overall strong, balanced
on a personal level personally, related to private life
improved discrete skillset better at certain skills
far greater value in more importance from
breadth of knowledge lots of information, knowing about many different subjects
serve as the foundation as the basis for
potentially more creative and fulfilling career and personal life possible a
better job and private life
