Work and Study | Study Focus

Hey everyone, and welcome to IELTS TIME — the podcast that helps you sound confident, natural, and ready for your IELTS Speaking test.

I’m your host, Archer, and today we’re looking at one of the most common Part 1 topics — Work and Study.

In this episode, we’ll focus just on the Study side. Don’t worry — the Work side is coming up in the very next episode, so stay tuned for that.

We’ll listen to two mock interviews — one from Lucius, and one from Isabelle. After that, I’ll walk you through how you can build your own natural answers, whether you’re still in high school or already studying at university.

Alright, let’s start with Lucius.

Do you work or are you a student?
I’m a full-time student at the moment, though I do a bit of part-time work on weekends. Most of my time goes into my studies since I’m in my final year of university.

What do you study?
I’m studying computer science. It’s a mix of theory and practical work — things like programming, data analysis, and machine learning.

Where do you study?
I study at the University of Melbourne. It’s quite a big campus, and the facilities are really modern, especially the computer labs.

Why did you choose that subject?
To be honest, I chose computer science mainly because it’s practical and has good job prospects. I’ve always been decent with computers, and I wanted to study something that would lead to a stable career. Plus, technology is such a big part of our lives now, so I thought it would be useful to really understand how it all works.

Is it a popular subject in your country?

Yeah, computer science is really popular in my country. A lot of students are getting into IT because there are so many opportunities in that field now. That’s actually one of the reasons I decided to study it in Australia — the universities here have a good reputation for tech courses, and I wanted to get some international experience at the same time.

What do you like most about your studies?

What I like most is that I’m actually learning things I can use in real life. A lot of our projects are quite hands-on, so instead of just reading about theories, we actually get to apply them. It’s nice to see that what I’m studying could really come in handy later on.

What do you dislike about your studies?

Honestly, the amount of assignments can be pretty stressful. Sometimes everything’s due around the same time, and it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. I still enjoy what I’m studying, but the workload can definitely get a bit too much at times.

What’s your favorite course?

My favorite course is probably web development. It’s quite straightforward, and you can actually see the results of your work right away, which is satisfying. I also like that it’s creative — you can design something that looks good and functions well at the same time.

What do you find most difficult about your studies?

I’d say staying focused is the hardest part. There are always so many distractions — social media, friends, or just being tired. Sometimes I start studying and end up doing something completely different. I’m trying to be more disciplined, but it’s not easy.

What kind of university do you go to?
It’s a public university, one of the top-ranked ones in Australia. The environment is quite diverse — we have students from all over the world, which makes it interesting and dynamic.

What’s a typical day like at your university?
On a typical day, I have a couple of lectures in the morning and then spend the afternoon either in the library or working on coding projects with my classmates. I usually grab coffee between classes just to stay awake.

Are you friends with many of your classmates?
Yeah, quite a few. We often work together on group projects or study for exams as a team. It makes studying a lot more enjoyable and less stressful.

Do you plan to continue your studies in the future?
To be honest, I don’t plan to study further once I finish my degree. I feel that university has given me enough of a foundation, and I’d rather gain some real-world experience. I think working in the industry will teach me things that you just can’t learn from textbooks.

What would you like to do after you graduate?
Ideally, I’d like to work as a software developer at a tech company. Eventually, I’d love to start my own business — maybe develop an app that solves everyday problems.

Alright, that was Lucius giving us a full set of responses. Next, let’s hear from Isabelle, who’s studying Business and Management in Paris.

Do you work or are you a student?

I’m a full-time student here in Paris, studying Business and Management. I also do a few small internships occasionally to get some real-world experience while I’m still studying.

What do you study?

I study Business and Management. I’ve always been interested in how companies operate and what makes them successful, and I thought studying it in an international setting would give me a broader perspective.

Where do you study?

I study at a business school in central Paris. The campus isn’t huge, but it’s modern, and most classes are interactive, which makes it easier to learn practical skills, not just theory.

Why did you choose that subject?

I chose Business and Management mainly because it’s practical and opens a lot of career options. I’ve always been interested in leadership and teamwork, and I wanted to learn skills I could actually use in the real world. Studying in Paris also seemed exciting because it’s such an international business hub.

Is it a popular subject in your country?

Yes, it’s quite popular. A lot of students back home study business because it’s seen as a safe career choice, and it offers opportunities both locally and abroad. That’s part of why I wanted to study it internationally — to experience a different approach to business.

What do you like most about your studies?

What I like most is that our courses are very practical. For example, in most classes we work on real case studies and projects, which helps me understand how businesses operate in real life. I also enjoy the interactive workshops — they make learning much more engaging than just reading textbooks.

What do you dislike about your studies?

I’m not a big fan of the theory-heavy courses where most of the work is writing essays and reading textbooks. Sometimes it feels a bit repetitive, and I much prefer classes where I can actually apply what I’m learning, like working on projects or real case studies.

What’s your favourite course?

My favourite course is entrepreneurship. I really enjoy learning how to start and manage a business, and we even get to pitch our own ideas, which is both fun and challenging.

What do you find most difficult about your studies?

I’d say the most difficult part is keeping up with lectures and assignments in a language that isn’t my first. Even though my English is pretty good, sometimes it takes extra effort to fully understand all the concepts and express my ideas clearly in essays or presentations.

What kind university do you go to?

It’s a private business school that focuses on international management. The classes are small and interactive, so you really get to know your teachers and classmates, which makes learning more personal.

What’s a typical day like at your university?

Usually, I have lectures in the morning and group workshops in the afternoon. After class, I often spend a couple of hours in the library working on assignments or preparing presentations. Some days, I also attend networking events or guest lectures.

Are you friends with many of your classmates?

Not really, to be honest. Most of my classmates are quite busy with their own work, and since we come from different countries, it’s sometimes hard to find common ground. But I do collaborate with them on projects, and we chat occasionally, so it’s not completely isolated.

Do you plan to continue your studies in the future?

Not immediately. I’d like to start working after I graduate to gain some experience in the business world. Later on, I might consider a specialized master’s, but for now, I want practical experience.

What would you like to do after you graduate?

I’d like to work in an international company, preferably in management or consulting. Eventually, I hope to take on a leadership role and maybe even start my own business one day.

And that was Isabelle with her full set of responses. Now that we’ve heard both Lucius and Isabelle, let’s take a step back and look at how you can build your own answers.

In this part, we’ll focus on four key questions: what you study, the challenges you face, what a typical day looks like, and your future plans.

Let’s start with the first one — talking about what you study.
When the examiner asks this, don’t just list your subjects. Try to show direction — make a link between your current studies and your goals.

If you’re still in high school, you could say something like:

‘I’m in my final year of high school, and I’m focusing on science and math to prepare for university entrance exams. I’m hoping to study engineering next year.’

It sounds natural, purposeful, and shows that you have a plan.

Now, if you’re already at university, be specific about your major and the stage you’re in. For example:

‘I’m a second-year undergraduate studying Architecture. It’s a creative but demanding program, and right now I’m working on several design projects for my studio course.’

Notice how both answers paint a picture of real life — and that’s what the examiner wants to hear.

Next, let’s talk about challenges — because every student faces them. When the examiner asks what you dislike or find difficult, it’s okay to be honest, but always stay balanced.

If you’re in high school, you might say:

‘The hardest part is definitely exam season. There’s just so much to memorize, and it gets stressful trying to stay focused. I usually make a study schedule to keep things under control.’

And if you’re at university, the challenge might sound a bit different, you might say:

‘I’d say the most difficult part is writing long research papers. It takes a lot of time to find reliable sources and structure the ideas clearly. But I’m learning to plan better and break it down week by week.’

You see, it’s not about sounding perfect — it’s about sounding real. Mentioning specific challenges makes your answer grounded and believable.

Moving on to the next common question: ‘What’s a typical day like at your school or university?

When you answer this, try to give a clear picture of what your day actually looks like — it helps the examiner imagine your life.

For example, if you’re still in school, you might say: ‘My classes usually run from eight to three, and after that I either stay for sports practice or go home to finish my homework. I try to get everything done before dinner so I can relax a bit.’

And if you’re at university, it could sound like this:

‘My mornings are mostly for lectures, and I spend afternoons in the library or working on group projects. In the evenings, I usually meet friends or review notes for the next day.’

It’s simple, but descriptive — and that’s what makes it natural.

And finally, the fourth question — your future plans.
This is your chance to show ambition and clarity.

If you’re still in school, your plans are likely about getting into university, so you could say:

‘After finishing high school, I want to study Economics at a good university. I’ve always been interested in how markets work, and I think it could lead to a stable career in finance.’

If you’re already at university, focus on your next step:

‘After I graduate, I’d like to work in a tech startup as a junior developer to gain real-world experience before doing any further study.’

So again, you’re not giving a rehearsed answer — you’re showing clear direction and maturity.

That’s it for today’s episode on Work and Study. Make sure to tune in next time, when we’ll cover the Work side of this topic. Thanks for listening to IELTS TIME, and I’ll catch you in the next episode!