split campus, books, examinations, and graduation ceremonies.

Few realise that the College also provides a wide range of services to the public.

For example, the College library is open to the public, the College administers examinations for outside organisations and offers extensive evaluations to help people determine career choices? Much of this work comes under the aegis of the Academic Services faculty, whose principal goals are to nurture the education process of all its students and provide assistance to the community.

Its broad range of responsiblities and services include the academic resource centre and private tutorial services; the student centre, the overseas testing centre; career testing; academic and personal counselling; workshops and seminars; job placement; a peer advisor programme; scholarships and awards.

A closer look at these many areas soon reveals just how important Academic Services is to the successful functioning of the College, and to the scholastic well-being of the community at large.

The Academic Resource Centre provides tutorial assistance in English, Mathematics and Science to full-time students who may be experiencing difficulties in their regular classes. There are, for example, videos of mathematics lectures which students may borrow if they miss a class, fail to understand a lesson, or wish to revise.

The Resource Centre can also show students how to improve their study skills, overcome anxiety when taking tests, help them prepare for Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) tests and examinations, and furnish a wide range of computer materials.

The Student Centre offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities from which students can earn credits. These include aerobics, boxing, Christian fellowship, drama, fashion and photography clubs, men's and women's soccer, martial arts, tennis and the yearbook.

The Overseas Testing Centre administers examinations for students interested in pursuing post-graduate studies abroad, as well as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), an admission criteria for high school students entering college, the General Educational Development (GED) test, a high school equivalency examination, and the university-related CLEP examinations.

Career Testing allows anyone interested in a career change an opportunity to learn what their aptitudes and skills best suit them for.

For a nominal $20 fee, an interview with a counsellor is followed by an extensive, computerised career guidance study.

"The study doesn't come up with definitive answers -- i.e. `You should be a secretary' -- but is basically an interest inventory to help a person generate ideas on occupations they are suited to pursue,'' Mrs. Sheridan Talbot, associate dean of Academic Studies, explained.

Academic Counselling is a free community service providing advice and literature on a wide range of universities and colleges in the US, UK, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe. Located at both the Roberts Avenue and Stonington campuses, this division helps students wishing to further their education abroad, and their parents, to make informed decisions. Literature not stocked in the College library can usually be accessed on microfiche.

Orientation evenings are also held for parents and guardians of Bermuda College freshmen in order to foster their interest and support for the students. International students attending the College receive special counselling, an orientation course on the Island, and, where necessary, help with securing accommodation.

Mature, full-time students, whom the College defines as aged over 21 who have not been in school for at least three years, also receive special counselling and orientation, which may include the major partner in their lives.

Students experiencing problems in a particular area can also receive individual tutoring.

"Our aim is to see that as many students as possible graduate, so we do all we can to ensure their success,'' College public relations officer, Mrs. Jan Doidge, said.

And to make sure students get the most from their studies, a variety of skills courses are offered to enhance their performance. These include word processing for college, seminars for freshmen and sophomores, career planning and preparation.

The Peer Advisors Programme trains established students to help freshmen become familiar with local campus life.

Job Placement, Scholarships, Awards When the occasion arises, the Bermuda College will put students and prospective employers in touch with each other, and it also administers scholarships and awards offered by the business community and various organisations.

"Once students become aware of the scholarships and awards, they value them highly and work very hard towards earning them,'' counsellor Mrs. Jeannette Musson said.

Free Literature The College publishes a selection of informative, free literature for the benefit of prospective students and their parents, as well as current students.

Just off the press are a series of applications guides for prospective college or university students which set out in simple terms what undergraduate institutions in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom require of those pursuing associate, baccalaureate and Bachelor's degrees.

"The guides are an extension of the free community service provided by the College's Academic Services Faculty,'' Mrs. Doidge explained. "For people wanting to go to university or college, we also have all the calendars, catalogues, and in many cases the application forms. Anyone wanting advice, addresses, or assistance or any kind can make an appointment with one of our counsellors.'' Further information is available by telephoning 236-9000.

READY TO SERVE YOU ... Associate dean of Academic Services, Mrs. Sheridan Talbot, centre, reviews Bermuda College brochures with counsellors Miss Tina Fountain, left, and Mrs. Janette Musson.