While some lucky people are born with the gift of artistic power, others have to study to become fluent in the language of art.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} If the artistic path is calling you, begin the journey with tiny steps and follow it. Here are some ways to show you how to become a true artist.

    Try a generous choice of differing forms of art. If you have never spent much time creating art, it may feel challenging to try to become an artist.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}They just need to express their creative ideas in a great way. If there is a specific type of art you would like to learn more about, go for it, but don't be afraid to branch out and try other forms as well. Some of the most basic forms of art include drawing, painting, sculpting, and photographing.

    Do your research and learn the basics.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Learn as much as you can about the medium-read books and articles, watch educational videos, and research various methods and other artists. One of the best ways to learn is by studying the work of others who have come before you. If you put effort, it is completely possible to teach yourself how to be a great artist. Need help?{#blank#}4{#/blank#} I'll work for sure.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Many artists devote their lives to creating art. While you do not have to spend every single second of your day working on a painting, do try to dedicate some time each day (or every other day) to working on your project, whatever it might be.

A. Make creating art your favorite.

B. Make time for your art every day.

C. The truth is that all people are artists.

D. Pick up some books on your chosen form(s).

E. You can always further your research with an art class.

F. A key part of being an artist is observing the world around you.

G. Whichever path you are on, be clear that everyone is an artist.

    It's Friday morning, and you're taking another test. Are you ready? Students who do well on tests often have good study skills, but good study skills involve a lot of preparations as well as studying. Here are a few simple strategies（策略）that will help.

    Read ahead. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Highlight or make notes of things that you feel are important, and share your thoughts during classroom discussions. Also, by reading ahead, class time can be used more efficiently to discuss questions or topics that need clarification. Clarifying questions in class will free up more time to review and study the new material at home.

    Take good notes. Good notes make great studying tools. Good note taking involves a lot more than copying notes from the board. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Pay attention to textbook pages that are relevant to the discussion.

    Make flashcards. Flashcards are great review tools for basic math facts or word definitions. Write the word or question on one side and the definition or answer on the other side. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Make one pile for flashcards that were remembered, and make one pile for flashcards not remembered. The more you review the flashcards, the smaller the flashcards pile not remembered should be.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Get together with a few friends and quiz each other on the material and notes you've collected for the test. Explain or describe in your own words what the material is about, and compare the information you have collected with each other.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Being prepared for class, participating during class, and reviewing after class are good strategies so that you have the most accurate and best materials to study.

A. Study in a group

B. Review notes daily

C. As you review them, make two piles

D. Doing it helps you better prepare for class

E. There are many things you can do to improve your studying skills

F. You are becoming more familiar with the concepts and topics discussed

G. Make sure to include any relevant information from the classroom discussions

The benefits of Keeping a journal

    If you want to grow, one important thing you should do is keeping a journal. It may seem simple, but it can make a big difference in your life. I have been keeping journals for years. Writing all the lessons I learn and all the ideas I get has become a habit for me. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some benefits you will get by keeping a journal.

    It prevents you from losing an idea. Have you ever gotten an idea only to lose it later because you didn't write it down?{#blank#}2{#/blank#}But then I developed the habit of writing down every idea that came into my mind as soon as possible. If I'm away from my computer, I usually write it down on a piece of paper that I bring wherever I go. I will then transfer the idea to the journal in my computer.

    It helps you review all the lessons you've learned. By reviewing your journal, you can quickly see the lessons you've learned and the ideas you've gotten.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}You can use the ideas to propel (鞭策) yourself forward.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}After keeping a journal for years, you can look back at it and see how far you've gone. Things that were big problems in the past might seem small today. The raw ideas you had in the past might have been realized today.

    It helps you expand your ideas. When you try to come up with a sentence to express an idea, you are thinking actively about it.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}In the end, you will expand your ideas.

A. I often experienced that myself.

B. It trains you to express your thoughts.

C. It allows you to see your progress over time.

D. Just use whatever tool you feel comfortable with.

E. Thinking actively helps you connect your idea to another idea.

F. And to be honest, I can't imagine what my life would be like without it.

G. Then you can do whatever necessary to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

    We all have days, or even weeks, on the job when our productivity declines. But if your output has been steadily decreasing, it could be because you're wasting time rather than focusing on key tasks at hand. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Turn off your cellphone

    If you're eager to stop wasting time at the office, silence your cellphone. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Turn on your phone only during breaks.

    Organize your calendar

    It's easy to waste time when you don't have a preset schedule outlining your days at work. But if you're guilty of not maximizing your time at the office, it'll help to create a daily calendar with blocks of time for various tasks.

    Organize your space

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If your desk is in a mess, carve out some time to get it organized. Throw away papers you don't need, file essential documents in some sort of order, and make your supplies more accessible.

    Build in breaks

    Sometimes we waste time at work by talking to colleagues, checking text messages, or surfing the internet because our minds need a break from the constant work. If that sounds like you, then you'd better schedule some breaks during the day but powering through otherwise. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The more time you waste at work, the more your manager and peers are likely to take notice– and that's a good way to hurt your reputation and put your job at risk. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Doing so might save you from a busy night.

    Stress is so common that many people choose to ignore it. But without proper management, stress can become much more serious. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    ⒈Breathe

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Slow, deep breathing stops the mind focusing on whatever else might be going on, and actively lowers stress levels.

    ⒉Write

    Instead of allowing a jumble (混乱) of thoughts and ideas to jump around inside your head, let them fall out onto your computer keyboard instead. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}They don't even have to make sense. Minutes later, you might be surprised at how light and airy you feel.

    ⒊Walk

    If you're feeling stressed, drop everything and go for a walk. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Walking provides your body with an ideal outlet(完美的出口) for the energy that stress can create.

    ⒋Laugh

    If you're stressed, the last thing you probably feel like doing is laughing. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}If you are able to smile during your day, you'll soon begin to see the effects of stress slowly disappear.

A. Stress is not good for people's health.

B. Here are four ways to deal with stress.

C. Deep breathing lowers the blood pressure.

D. Laughing can calm the nerves and reduce stress.

E. Or write down your feelings onto a piece of paper.

F. Keep yourself at an easy speed and breathe properly.

G. Taking a deep breath in stressful situation is helpful.

Four Habits to Help You Succeed

    Nobody would like to experience failure. We all want to succeed. For those who have tried and failed, success seems difficult to understand. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Know your values.

    Finding your values is in line with creating motivation. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Pick a handful of things and write them down. Remind yourself of your values every day and reflect on whether you are honoring those values through your work.

    Pick a goal and focus on it.

    Choose one goal to start something large enough that will give you a sense of achievement, while adjusting well to your values. If you want to achieve your goal, focus is the key here. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you perform many tasks at a time, you might never finish your projects because they will take far too long.

    Set a time for success.

    Set a date for success. Know when you hope to realize your goal. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}By setting a time limit, you are making the process realistic.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Failure can't be avoided when you take risks. By its very definition, the desire to succeed means you are risking failure. Many people tend to give up far too early. Don't fall into this trap! Use failure. Treat it as a good thing, and go on.

A. Make the right decision.

B. The more focused you are on one goal, the higher chance you have of success.

C. I have made a list of four habits to help you set goals and realize them.

D. Keep it realistic, while not giving yourself too much time.

E. Don't give up because of failure.

F. Sit and reflect on what you value most.

G. Push yourself to be courageous, and take that next step.