A. Get involved in student activities

B. Your voice is actually super important

C. There is a significant increase of opportunities

D. Stay in active communication with your friends

E. Get smart about the people who you spend your time with

F. Your major does not matter as much in your first of college

                                                     Five Things Nobody Told Me about College

As I type this, I am in my university dorm room. A year ago, when I was awaiting to hear the results of my college applications, I often went to websites for some type of insider look on what college would be like. However, there's only so much that prep books, websites, and older friends can teach. Here are the top 5things nobody told me about college:

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Nobody entering a university knows exactly what they want to study. If they tell you otherwise, they're lying and will probably change what they want to purse within the first quarter of attendance. During my first quarter at University of California, Riverside (UCR), I thought that I wanted to study Political Science with its focus on International Affairs, so that's what I applied for. However, once I worked with statewide and local government, I realized that a better fit for me would be Public Policy, and now I am in the process of changing my area.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

          In college, there are so many good chances for you to meet your expectations. However, there is a very important difference between wanting to do something and applying for something. In order for you to take advantage of the conferences, research, internships, and fellowships that your university offers, apply! Step into your academic advisor's office, introduce yourself, and begin making the valuable connections that are necessary to help during the rest of your college career. Great things happen when you step out of your comfort zone, and you would be surprised on how many chances exist if you just ask.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

          College is where you meet your bridesmaids, neighbors, and potential bosses. The relationships you develop now will probably be linked to the ones you value later, so be wise about the people who you invest yourself in. You are only one person, and you do not have time to waste on people who would rather cause drama or mess up with your purpose. Surround yourself with uplifting individuals who challenge you to be better while loving you for who you are, and be patient to the people who are the complete opposite of that description.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

          As a first-year, I was afraid to make any noise towards campus issues that I noticed. It was not until I became involved in student government that I gained the confidence to handle projects that I created with the help of ASUCR Office of the President. During my first quarter, I spoke directly to the Chancellor, asking him for support towards my initiatives, met with the Vive Chancellors, and cooperated with my teaching assistances to begin my undergraduate research protect. Nothing good will happen when you are silent.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

At my high school, there were about only four active club and organizations that students could be a part of. Imagine my surprise when I stepped foot onto UCR's campus, where over 400 organizations exist, ranging from political organizations to karate club. You are not paying all or your tuition(学费)to merely go to class, study, pass tests and graduate. Make something worthy out of your experience. Create that you will want to tell your grandchildren one day. It all begins here, by signing up to join an organization.

    Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to their appearance. But in fact, a lot of guys spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. They care just as much as girls do about their body image.

    Body image is a person's opinions and feelings about his or her own body and physical appearance. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}You appreciate your body for its capabilities and accept its imperfections.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Here are some ideas.

    Recognize your strengths. Different body types are good for different things. What does your body do well? Maybe your speed, strength, or coordination makes you better than others at a certain sport. That may be basketball, table tennis, mountain biking, dancing, or even running. Or perhaps you have non-sports skills, like drawing, painting, singing, playing a musical instrument, writing, or acting. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Exercise regularly. Exercise can help you look well and feel good about yourself. Good physiques (体形) don't just happen. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} A healthy habit can be as simple as exercising 20 minutes to 1 hour three days a week. Working out can also lift your spirits.

    Respect your body! Practicing good habits regular showering; taking care of your teeth, hair, and skin; wearing clean clothes, and so on can help you build a positive body image.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Your body is just one part of who you are. Your talent for comedy, a quick wit (智慧) and all the other things make you unique. So try not to let small imperfections take over.

New Year's Day in China

    National holidays in China are those festivals decided by the government that everyone gets to enjoy. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} These holidays fall into two types: those that all citizens enjoy nationwide, and those that some citizens enjoy. New Year's Day is one that is enjoyed by people all over the country.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They celebrate the New Year like people all over the world. Since ancient times, the day has been called “Yuandan” by the Chinese. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} “Dan” means “day”，so joined together the words mean “first day of a year”. For 3,000 years，China has greeted Yuandan with joyful ceremonies.

    Because of the different longitudes (经度) upon which countries lie in the world, the time of the celebration changes. China is the twelfth country to celebrate the event and the people are rewarded with one day's vacation. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} And organizations and schools hold parties to let everyone enter the joyful atmosphere of the festival. Sincere good wishes are sent by people's smiles and wonderful performances at parties. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. “Yuan” means “at the beginning”.

B. Many colorful programs are shown on TV.

C. It's a day for the working people worldwide.

D. New Year's Day is a big holiday for the Chinese people.

E. Everyone has the right to get off work during these holidays.

F. You can read about how, where，and when to watch the program.

G. Great hopes for an excellent year are planted in everyone's mind.

Tips for summer reading

    Summer holds many of my strongest and most powerful reading memories.I remember sitting under a tree in the backyard as a child, reading AnneofGreenGables as the shadows crossed the grass.I remember sitting in the back seat of the car on a long family road trip, sharing joke books with my brother and sister and laughing until we cried.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} I want all kids to enjoy the fun of summer reading, because summer reading has secret power.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Here are some ways to motivate kids for summer reading.

    Make children the curators(管理人)of their reading lives.

    Have students set summer reading goals for themselves.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Students can act as “chief curators” of the blog in turn so that over the course of the summer each of them takes on the responsibility of replying to posts and highlighting a popular title.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Taking “curiosity walks” is a fantastic way to bring informational text into a child's reading list.These walks also provide opportunities for authentic writing.Have children take an inspiration notebook on a class walk outside and write down anything they see that they would like to learn more about.

    Make reading more like summer camp.

    Let's combine reading with hands­on activities and make reading more like summer camp.We can take field trips to the library and search the shelves for books on a topic chosen out of a hat.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Then they can bring that creation to share on the first days of school.

A．It will set the stage for academic success.

B．Bring the outdoors back into summer reading.

C．Select some books and share them with your students.

D．Set up a summer blog so you can all share recommendations.

E．These memories became important stepping stones in my life.

F．It is important to build and shape a strong reading life during school months.

G．We can ask our students to create something in response to one of the books they've read.

    Ways to Create Calm in Your Daily Life

    Most of us need some space for calm in our lives. A few simple minutes can create much needed moments of calm.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} You can use these skills to create calm in your busy schedule.

Go walking. Walking is perfect and you can do it well anywhere. Simply walking and taking in the view is stress reducing. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It makes room for new ideas to take root. Appreciate nature. When we think of nature we think of getting out into the open air, and that's great if you can. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Actually , nature is everywhere. Find a park or a small patch (小块地) of great green, or just stick your head out of the window! You have many ways to appreciate nature.

    Listen to music. Many people listen to music to calm themselves down. Music actually lifts us out of ourselves. Discover what music works for you. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    Do some activities. Certain activities like yoga and tai chi need quiet focus. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} They are good for the body, mind and spirit. Classes are a good place to begin, but once you learn the skills, you can practice anywhere: home, school or even on the road.

    Try out some of these ways and you'll soon be practicing “moments of calm”.

A. But what if you are in the city?

B. Notice the animals around you.

C. They are perfect for active calming.

D. Music is a way to express the way that they are feeling.

E. It's a time to get stressful thoughts out of your head.

F. With enjoyable music even work can be “music to your ears”.

G. You don't have to find a mountain to sit on, or empty your mind of all thoughts for hours.

They Just Can't Help It

    My theory is that the female brain is mainly built for empathy — the ability to understand other people — and that the male brain is mainly built for building systems. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} For example, women are more likely to read magazines on fashion and parenting, while men will choose magazines that feature computers and sport.

    You may think that these preferences are influenced by the way people are taught to behave when they are growing up. However, this is not the case. A new study carried out at Cambridge University shows that newborn girls look longer at a face, and newborn boys look longer at a mobile. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It has also been observed that girls are better at noticing signs of changes in other people's feelings. Boys, however, seem to enjoy building toy towers and playing with toys which have clear functions. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} People whose jobs are in the construction industries are almost male. Math and engineering, which require high levels of systems-thinking, are also male-chosen disciplines. Why do men and women have the difference? Actually women have four times as many brain neurons (神经) that connect the right and left part of their brains. Because of it, women have a better ability to multitask than men. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Men tend to focus on a limited number of problems at a time. They will separate themselves from problems and view tasks as independent from one another.

    Some people may worry that I am suggesting one gender (性别) is better than the other, but this is not the case. My theory says that males and females differ in the kinds of things that they find easy, but that both genders have their strengths and weaknesses. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It is not true. The study simply looks at males and females as two groups, and asks what differences exist, and why they are there.

A. Generally speaking, there are clear differences.

B. Their preference for building systems may change over time.

C. You can see the same kind of pattern in the adult workplace.

D. They will consider many sources of information at the same time.

E. It is important to stress that the female brain may be built more for empathy.

F. That suggests certain differences between male and female brains are biological.

G. Others may think the theory creates a belief of what a particular type of person is like.