In America, the school life is not easy for us students. There are so many rules we have to follow. When we start school, we get a rule book. There are always teachers looking out for people who are breaking the rules and prefects (长官) are everywhere too.

    The most rules are in the classroom and in the hallways. For example, you can't run or dance around in the hallways. We can't put our bags everywhere in the hallways.

    You can't eat or drink in the classroom or the hallways. Prefects watch you, They can give out duty slips (cleaning the dining hall for about 2 hours).

    If you make mistakes, you will get a detention. You may have to do some work for school. A detention is the most painful. You have to do a lot of tiring and boring things. There are rules for students out of school as well. Boys should not buy take away food in the street if they wear the school uniforms. The school also expects good behavior on public transport and in public places.

    Is it good to be in a middle school? Most American children think so. In America, middle schools often have sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. It is different in different places.

    For children, going to a middle school is a big change. Most middle schools in America have a special day for new middle school students. On that day, they are showed around the school by their new teachers. And they could know a lot about the history of the school. They also would make friends with the old schoolmates (校友).

    They will grow up and learn some different and difficult things in a middle school. A new middle school student will learn foreign languages, computer, music and art, health, and other skills, such as cooking.

    A middle school will have sports teams, clubs and have activities for children. They can choose what they like and join them. If they are good at singing, playing basketball or something else, or if they want to learn, they can join them. Most American children think it's good to be in a middle school.

    "How can I improve my English?" A lot of my students have been asking me about this same question again and again.1 the answer won't be suitable for everyone, I'm still going to tell you some of my experience. I hope that you will improve your English learning skills.

    One thing I can tell you is that, once you start learning, you should try to think in English as

    2as you can. If you see something when you're riding your bike or walking down the street, just3"How would I say them in English?" At first, you may think with simple words but later with longer sentences. Now I'm in America, and for4the time, I would think in English and   speak it directly. It's amazing how much this helps.

    When I started learning, I was5 afraid of talking with others in English because I didn't want to make mistakes. Finally, I had a chance to6. And while traveling in America, I'd try to hang out with American friends,7 I'd have no choice but to speak English. Also, I decided if I said anything stupid and other people would look8 me, then so be it. After that, my English started to9 much more quickly.

    Besides, it may be a good idea to ask your American friends to look at the way you're writing, and give you some10 for improvement.

How to be a friend of yourself?

We often pay attention to developing relationships with others. However, we forget the basic step: being friends of ourselves. How can we have good relationships with others if we don't even have good relationships with ourselves?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

First, forgive(原谅) yourself. It's true that you are not perfect, and neither is everybody else. It's normal for everyone to make mistakes.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

Second, accept things you can't change. There are many things you cannot change, such as your background and past.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you face the things you can't change, just smile and move on.

Third, focus on(聚焦于) your achievements. You can try making a list of your achievements, which do not have to be big things. There are a lot of small but important achievements in our life.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Last but not least, stop comparing yourself with others. You are unique.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Your success is not determined(决定) by other people. Instead, it is determined by your own life purpose.

    There are some skills for students to listen to the teachers in class, which means you're going to have to practice them. Just as you would have to practice basketball to be a better player, you also have to practice listening. How to listen in school? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    One of the things you'll need to do is to make sure that your mind doesn't wander(漫游). It's easy to start thinking about other things, especially when you are not interested in the subject. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

   Next, listen for the main ideas. If you want to catch every little piece of information, you'll feel tired and bored. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Not only does this show respect to the teacher, it also helps prevent your mind from wandering. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Or it could just be someone talking to their neighbors who shouldn't be, it can even be some birds outside the classroom window, or a group of kids who are talking loudly as they pass the door to your room.

    Finally, you need to take notes because you will not remember everything the teacher said. You'll have to take down the notes so that you can study it after class. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Listening isn't always easy, but if you follow these simple steps, you'll be much more successful in your classes.

I used to be the shortest in my class. I had no friends and always felt 1 . On my 12th birthday, I made a 2 that I could grow up quickly.

Last summer vacation, I was so worried about my 3 that I didn't want to go to summer camp. But my mom said,"You will learn something 4 you get there."And I had to say yes.

5 Monday, my teacher Maggie asked all of us to climb a wall. When I saw the wall, I was so 6 . It might be ten meters high! I thought I could 7 climb that huge wall successfully.

After the other campers finished, I told Maggie I wanted to 8 climbing.

"Amy, when you meet 9 , just believe in yourself and never give up."said Maggie. Hearing this, I felt a little upset. Suddenly, I had a good 10 . I pretended (假装) to 11 my knee and couldn't move.

"How's the knee? Are you OK?"Maggie asked. She was so 12 that I didn't want to cheat(欺骗) her again.

I said sorry to her. Maggie smiled, and showed me 13 she climbed the wall.The other campers were also cheering for me.

I tried my best and kept trying. And finally something 14 happened—I made it!

From this experience, I've learned a lot. Anything is possible if you 15 in yourself.