阅读理解 Normally a student must attend

Normally a student must attend a number of courses in order to graduate, and each course which he
attends gives him a grade which he may count towards a degree. In many American universities the total
work for a degree is made up of thirty-six courses each lasting for one term. Generally, a course is made
up of three classes per week for fifteen weeks; while attending a university a student will probably attend
four or five courses during each term. Normally a student would expect to take four years attending two
terms each year. It is possible to spread the period of work for the degree over a longer period. It is also
possible for a student to move between one university and another during his degree course, though this is not done as a regular practice.
For e very course that follows a student is given a grade, which is recorded, and the student can get it to show his future employers. All this sets a constant pressure and strain of work, but in spite of this some
students still find time for great activities in student affairs. They show much interest in elections to positions in student organizations performed by students who advise the academic authorities (权威人士). Any
student who is thought to have broken the rules, for example, by cheating is to appear before a student
court. With the large numbers of students, the operation of the system h as something to do with a certain
amount of activity. A student who has held one of these positions of authority is much respected and it will be of benefit to him later in his career (生涯).