def get_type_abbrev(ctype):
    """Converts course type to an abbreviation"""
    ctypes = {'Lecture': 'Lec','Tutorial': 'Tut','Conference': 'Conf','Seminar': 'Sem','Laboratory': 'Lab','Student Services Prep Activity': 'StudSrvcs'}
    if ctype in ctypes:
        return ctypes[ctype]
    else:
        return ctype