Four Habits to Help You Succeed

We all want to succeed, whether it's in losing weight or learning the guitar. For those who have tried and failed, success seems difficult to understand. Why does one person succeed where another person fails?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

1）Identify your core values.

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

2）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 core values. Focus is key here.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you perform many tasks at a time, you might never complete your projects because they will take far too long.

3）Set a deadline for success.

    Set a date for success. Identify when you hope to achieve your goal.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}By setting a time limit, you are making the process more real.

4）{#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! Remember your mindset earlier. Know it will happen. A failure is merely you working out the details, and learning what works and what doesn't. Use failure. Treat it as a good thing, and move on!

    If you want to make a difference by doing a volunteer job, you can take the following steps.

    Before becoming a volunteer, consider your hobbies and interests. You can find a job in your area or around the world where you can help.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}They can be found in nursing homes or at food banks, and other charities.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Then you can apply for the volunteer sector (领域) you have chosen. Rewrite the resume and focus on education and experience in your chosen field.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you are not free during the volunteer shifts (轮班), it's more likely that you will be passed over.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}You can also go to their websites to fill out an online application and email a copy of your resume.

    Speak or contact directly with the manager in charge of hiring new volunteers. It's important to tell them your enthusiasm for the volunteer work. At the same time, make it clear how you are qualified.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Fill out any other paperwork that is requested to complete the application process. It's best to set an appointment to interview in the end.

A. Be friendly and outspoken.

B. Don't forget to offer a hand to others in need.

C. Volunteer jobs are often available (可获得的) in many places.

D. Visit the volunteer location in person with a copy of your resume.

E. Make a detailed timetable that shows you can do the volunteer work at the time.

F. It's because you are not sure the hiring manager has read your resume or seen the online application.

G. Review your work and volunteer resume (简历) to determine what strengths and experience you have.

    For a long time, I have been thinking about the idea of going abroad to do something worthwhile(值得做的), such as doing some voluntary work, working with kids or animals. However, I had been stopped for different choices with the kind of things I could do and different countries where I could do them.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} And I had been puzzling over how I was able to afford the flights, costs and everything.

    I thought I couldn't wait to do something.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} So I just got up off my bed and went downstairs. I started making sandwiches, and then put some crisps, some biscuits and an apple into about six little picnic bags. I called a couple of friends and told them my idea that I was going into the city to give these foods out to the homeless.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    While we were buying some other things in the supermarket, we saw a whole cooked chicken that was on sale, so we bought it. We gave it to the first homeless man we came across.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} What a feeling like no other!

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} But I was very sad because I knew I had only helped one person out of thousands. Actually, it made me cry. But still at least I felt good to have helped others and the excitement got me satisfied, so I just had to keep doing that!

    I think we don't need to look too hard or travel too far for the things that are always on our own doorsteps.

A. He was really shocked and grateful.

B. He seemed glad to share the story with others.

C. They don't need to travel far for voluntary work.

D. Besides, it's very expensive to prepare for that.

E. I said to myself, “I have to do something worthwhile NOW！”

F. My friends loved my idea so much that they decided to join me.

G. I felt very happy because I did something making someone's day.

Three Ways to Self-fund College

    The idea that parents should pay for their children's college education is a nice one, but it's far from a reality for many students. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Whatever the case may be, it's time to take a good look at your options for funding college on your own.

Turn over every stone.

    If you're not a straight-A genius who could easily win college scholarships, there's good news:{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Check out these popular College Confidential threads to see which awards average and above-average students are aiming at. Are your parents retirees? Are you a first-generation student? Is your family attached to any church or community groups? (Seriously, there are scholarships for all those things.) The secret to scoring major cash is following every possible source of funding.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Instead of going straight to a four-year institution, many students are choosing to start out at an affordable community college and transfer later.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} If these are options that could work for you, just be sure you have a solid plan in place, and don't let yourself get sidetracked from your goal of earning a college degree.

    Take what you can get.

    Remember that not all valuable contributions are monetary（与钱有关的. It's time to sit down with your parents and have a serious talk about other expenses they might be able to help you with.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} You can save several thousand per year on housing. What about books, meals, and other expenses? Even relatively small savings can be a huge leg up in the long run.

A.Take an alternative route.

B.You don't need to be a genius to qualify for scholarships.

C.If they're fine about letting you live at home, that's great.

D.Think about if you can afford a price of around $10,000 per year.

E.Recent studies show a widespread lack of understanding of the real cost of college.

F.Similarly, some choose to take a year or two off after high school to save up as much as possible.

G.Some parents believe the responsibility of paying for college should fall on the person seeking a degree— that's you.

    It's often said that your parents' job is to make sure that one day you no longer need them. And that's certainly the case by the time you have kids of your own. However, this is precisely the time when your parents start to need you. How do you talk to your aging parents about their health? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}, but these tips make it easier.

    Before a conversation, you had better establish yourself as a friend, not an enemy. Always start with an "I" statement, not a "you should" statement. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    Scientists recommend beginning a conversation about something you're doing—taking up yoga to stay slim, for instance. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. And you can even have her commit to doing it with you. When you're a friend day-to-day, your parents will trust you and be able to depend on you during a health crisis.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Start by equipping them with a smartphone that's designed for seniors. Staying in close phone contact will keep you informed of any arising health issues. It will help you pick up on faults in their memory, too.

    Your parents are your parents until they're gone. Do not treat them like children. Even if you find that there's an emergency going on, you can make suggestions, but they have the right to make decisions, especially if there's no cognitive (认知的) disorder. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, helping your parents in their later years is the least you can do. With the proper measures and technology, it can get easier and feel even more rewarding.

    HSC, mid-terms, finals, no matter how you describe them, exams have something in common—including how to study well. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Plan a study timetable

    Make sure you will cover your material in time with a realistic study timetable. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. With a plan in place, you'll be less likely to put off your work as knowing how you will use your time will also mean you make best use of it.

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    Give yourself the best environment by choosing somewhere with enough light, a comfortable chair, and little to no distractions. Sit down with all that you need — and only the things you'll need — like any books, notes or pens, as well as some water and healthy snacks on hand. Also ask what you don't need. A rule of thumb is if it doesn't help you study, it shouldn't be on your desk. It may look so simple but is really effective to help you focus on your study.

    Keep healthy: sleep, eat and move

    When exams come around somehow there never seems enough time for the basic things like sleep and exercise. Taking care of your health and wellbeing will really help you study at your best by improving your memory, mood and energy levels, and keeping those stress levels down. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Eating three meals and sticking to healthy snacks throughout the day will give you the energy you need to focus. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} A good aim is 20-30 minutes of exercise but even a walk nearby during study breaks will do you good!