Tips for Staying Sharp

    It's not abnormal to feel out of it from time to time or perhaps you're feeling a bit sluggish(迟钝的)when it comes to remembering things. If you're worried about your forgetfulness, try out these five tips to stay sharp.

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    You've probably heard the term “you are what you eat.” If you decide to eat sugary foods that are heavy with fats then expect to feel lazy and have no energy. But if you decide to eat fruits, vegetables and make other healthy eating decisions you'll find that you're full of energy.

Never stop learning

Challenge yourself constantly—whether it is puzzles, reading, cooking or other tasks that will keep your mind working. If your mind is always learning new things and active, you'll realize that it's much easier for you to learn new things and to function.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Stay fit

    Being in good health and staying in shape is a big part of staying sharp.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you choose to be lazy then your body is not going to give you the energy that requires remembering things and completing tasks. However, if you put forth the effort into being health then your body will expel(释放)the energy you need to achieve your goals.

Ensure enough sleep

    Be sure to get the necessary amount of sleep that your body needs to function on a daily basis.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}It also helps your body build up an energy reserve so you can improve your ability to focus and avoid distractions.

Socialize more

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Social interaction will help you develop multitasking, problem solving and other skills that are necessary in life to keep your mind sharp.

A. Feed your brain

B. Avoid eating too much

C. Your body will only give you what you put into it

D. Lack of sleep contributes to tiredness and slow reaction

E. Conversations require individuals to stay aware and active

F. According to studies, sleep helps strengthen and recover your memories

G. Remember you brain is a muscle and if you want to get the most out of it, you must use it

    Generally, the skills and attitudes you form as a student will be especially important to your development. The following tips can help you become an active student.

    Don't be satisfied with yourself{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Leave no room for the average of the ordinary. If you can do good things, try hard to become better. If you have become better, try to become the best.

    Give yourself new challenges{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Any new things will give you the chance to understand yourself better. You should try anything. What you learn from these activities can be useful in the future.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}One reason why a student is not active may be that he has a defeated(挫败的) attitude. As much as possible, you should face each challenge with the willingness to succeed.

    Think over your mistakes, if there are any. Being active doesn't mean you will always be successful{#blank#}4{#/blank#} However, they will never succeed if they don't realize the meaning of failure.

    Keep a to-do list. This can serve as a reminder when a student becomes lazy{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. To achieve this, you have to desire to become excellent.

B. Have strong faith that you will succeed.

C. Try to take an active part in group discussions.

D. Don't be afraid to attend activities you wouldn't normally do.

E. There are students who would give up the moment they fail.

F. You can't be active if you don't know what is going on.

G. It can keep you on the right track and help you organize your tasks for the day.

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.

    Self-esteem(自尊) plays a role in almost everything you do. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} They can have better relationships with peers(同龄人) and adults, feel happier, find it easier to deal with mistakes, disappointments and failures, and are more likely to stick with something until they succeed.

    If you want to improve your self-esteem, here are some useful tips.

    Try to stop having negative thoughts about yourself. If you're used to focusing on your shortcomings, start thinking about positive aspects of yourself. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    View mistakes as learning opportunities. Accept that you will make mistakes because everyone does. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Remind yourself that a person's talents are constantly developing, and everyone does well in different things.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you realize that you're unhappy with something that you can change, then start today. If it's something you can't change(like your height), then start to work toward loving yourself the way you are.

    Make a contribution. Help a classmate who's having trouble, offer to clean up your neighborhood or volunteer your time in some other way. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Have fun. Enjoy spending time with the people you care about and doing the things you love. Relax and have a good time — and avoid putting your life on hold.

It takes some work to develop good self-esteem, but once you do it's a skill you'll have for life.

A. Mistakes are part of learning.

B. Recognize what you can change and what you can't.

C. Low self-esteem is a negative evaluation(评价) of oneself.

D. Feeling like you are making a difference and that your help is valued can do wonders to improve self-esteem.

E. Each day, write down three things about yourself that make you happy.

F. People with high self-esteem do better in school and find it easier to make friends.

G. Experience is the great thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

    ISM is a large company in St. Louis, Missouri, but the top leaders are not satisfied with the performance of its staff. One day not too long ago the employees returned from their lunch break and were greeted with a sign on the front door. The sign said:{#blank#}1{#/blank#} We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym.

    At first everyone was sad to hear that one of their colleagues had died, but after a while they started getting curious about who this person might be. The excitement grew as the employees arrived at the gym to pay their last respects. Everyone wondered:{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Well, at least he's no longer here!

    One by one the employees got closer to the coffin and when they looked inside it they suddenly became speechless. They stood over the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: it is YOU.

    You are the only person who can revolutionize your life.

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    You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success.

    Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes, when your company changes.

    Your life changes when YOU change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs,{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone could see the person who passed away

B. Who is the person that passed away?

C. when you realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.

D. A mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see himself

E. Yesterday the person who has been limiting your growth in this company passed away.

F. You are the only person who can help yourself

G. Who is this person that was limiting your progress?

How to choose a college major?

For you to be able to choose a college major that makes sense for you, you first need to figure out what you want out of a college major. For some people, knowing they will almost always be able to find a job throughout their lives is most important. For others, being able to pursue a particular intellectual interest is the critical factor. Most people are motivated by some combination of factors that they weigh in balance. These factors will guide you towards the answer to the question," What college major is right for me?" {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Your Interests

Your interests are an important part of picking a major. If you really dislike what you are studying, you will be miserable. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. So it is essential that you are actually interested in what you are studying.

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You should also consider what you're good at when you think about how to choose your major.

This doesn't mean that you should definitely major in whatever you are best at in high school. For one thing, you will probably discover new talents in college as you take courses in areas that weren't available to you in high school. For another thing, the thing that you're "best" at is not necessarily what matches best with all your other priorities and goals.

Your Future Career

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. For some majors, it's fairly clear what sort of job the degree will lead to. A degree in teaching will lead to teaching, a degree in nursing to nursing, and so on. For others, it's less clear.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Thus, in terms of a future career, don't just think of what job title you will be qualified for, because those things shift all the time. Think about the skills you will learn in your major, and how much those skills are in demand.

To sum up, we need to take various factors into consideration when choosing a major.

A. Your Abilities

B. Your Efforts

C. Here are some factors you will probably want to consider

D. However, it's important to remember that it's finally your major

E. It makes sense to consider what kind of job prospects you will have

F. A degree in communications or sociology could lead to a variety of jobs

G. Additionally, you won't be particularly motivated to complete your coursework