When home is far away, the sense of ease and belonging that so many people feel can transform into painful feelings of longing, commonly known as homesickness. Along with feelings of insecurity, loss of control and nervousness, physical effects, including sleep issues, tiredness and loss of appetite, are also caused by homesickness.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Check them out below:

    Realize that feeling homesick is 100 percent normal.

    Almost everyone experiences homesickness when moving to a new place—some people might just be better at hiding it.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Homesickness is a normal and evolutionarily healthy reaction.

    Make connections with new people in comfortable settings.

    Feeling homesick when separated from loved ones motivates people to be with those supportive people.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} When making new connections, it's best to stick to the style that works for you in order to ease homesickness.

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    This point is vital and also one of the hardest to accomplish. Self-compassion is loving yourself just as you love the ones you care about. The most important step in practicing self-compassion is substituting negative, critical and, sometimes, automatic thoughts about yourself with thoughts that are more supportive and kind.

    Keep tabs on your negativity.

    It's also useful to ask yourself how much of your homesickness is due to an event, such as being separated from loved ones, and how much is from how you're understanding a situation.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}A positive outlook on a situation can do wonders for your mood, but it often can be hard to practice. You can silence negative thoughts in many ways, including reciting positive mantras（祷文）, keeping a journal or even taking a walk in a park.

    If you're dealing with feelings of homesickness, remember you're not alone. Even though there's no place like home, give yourself some time and care, and you might find yourself falling in love with a new place.

A. Learn to help others.

B. Practice self-compassion.

C. Being homesick is abnormal.

D. Being homesick is not a sign of personal shortcoming.

E. We gathered a few psychologist-backed tips to help ease homesickness.

F. Taking a step back is recommended, instead of falling into the trap of a negative outlook.

G. But keep in mind that everyone is different when it comes to forming those new relationships.

    Did you take part in a camp this summer? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}To choose which camp is best for you, first you must do a bit of research.

    Maybe you've never thought about it before, but every great summer camp has the same main goals — opportunity, challenge and growth.

    Opportunity means you are given a chance to do something special. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, if you are interested in writing, then you can choose to join a journalism camp. You may even have the opportunity to meet famous journalists there.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You must finish the task and succeed in overcoming the challenge. Then you will have a sense of accomplishment. For example, you could take a lifeguard course at some summer camps. If you pass the exam, then you will receive a certificate (证书）to become a real lifeguard.

    This also leads to the third and most important goal of every great summer camp personal growth. It doesn't mean growing taller and stronger or more beautiful. It means seeing yourself improve, learning something new and doing something you didn't know you could do before. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    So in the future, when choosing your next summer camp, remember to ask yourself: Is it a special opportunity? Is it a challenge? Will I grow?

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} These will all happen naturally when you have the right goals at summer camp.

A. Challenge means you are given a task.

B. It also means becoming more confident in yourself.

C. Some camps focus on developing a certain skill or ability.

D. But what about friendship, fun and joy?

E. There are so many summer camps and not all of them are the same.

F. Of course, summer camps aren't all about adventure or study.

G. It also makes you special because other kids don't have the same opportunity.

    It's difficult to find true friends these days. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} How? Here are some tips on how to make your friendship last forever:

    Call for no reason. Call just to say "Hi" or just to ask "What's up?" If you can't call, just send an e-mail. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Know when to say "I'm sorry." and "Thank you". {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Show appreciation for the things, big or little that your friend does for you. Say thank you. It's that easy.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you have nothing good to say, don't talk at all. Don't risk hurting your friend's feelings by saying hurtful words that, most of the time, you don't really mean.

    Be honest. Don't lie to friends. Trust is the foundation of true friendship. Write them a note from time to time. Also, try to be thoughtful. Give simple gifts that will make their day.

    Never be mean with your time. Spare some time to see your friends however busy you are. You can always spare an hour or two after school or work to visit them. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    If you are the type of person who knows how to take care of friendship, you definitely are a keeper!

A. Avoid hurtful words.

B. Action speaks louder than words.

C. Some are never there when you need them most.

D. Don't let pride get in the way, especially when you're at fault.

E. Weekends are a great time, too, to bond and hang out with your friends.

F. This would send a message that you remember your friends at a random (任意的) time of the day.

G. Once you find a friend who is worth keeping, make sure to take care of what you have with that person.

    What is the secret of writing a good letter? Here are two main ones. Don't try to be fancy. Don't try to impress your reader. You will be successful if you follow these seven Cs.

    Clear. Use short, direct sentences.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Talk as if the reader were right there with you .Above all, don't use an introduction.

    Correct,{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Don't guess, even for spelling. Refer to your dictionary. If you need to, check a reference book too. Use them as much as you need to.

    Complete. Don't scatter your points.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}This is good organization too.

    Courteous. Be friendly rather than overly casual. Present your information nicely even if you are complaining about something. In all letters, treat others as you want them to treat you.

    Concise. Make each point as clearly and briefly as you can.

    Conversational. This is really the secret of good writing,{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Such a letter has a natural, friendly tone. Let your personality come through naturally.

    Considerate.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Write about what you believe the reader needs or wants to know. Try to be helpful. This will build good feeling toward you.

    The seven Cs are about writing letters. But how about school papers? Use the seven Cs. Write as if you are talking to your teacher or professor. You'll be surprised. You'll almost instantly become a good writer. And you might even enjoy writing from now on.

A. Just talk to the person.

B. Finish one point completely before going on to the next.

C. Include long sentences in your letter.

D. Make them easy to understand.

E. Writing should not be taken too seriously.

F. Make sure what you say is correct.

G. Think of the readers' point of view as you write.

Films and computer games

    In just a few decades the gaming industry has become much bigger than the film business. What is called "interactive entertainment" makes more money than Hollywood cinema. Is there any way of making films more appealing to people who like to play computer games?

    Making a film out of a best-selling computer game can guarantee a large audience. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Nowadays films are made with similar ones. They have attractive action scenes relying on fantasy effects as well. Gaming markets consist of science-fiction games, and film-makers have also set films in science-fiction worlds. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Any attempt to borrow more than the setting from a game is certain to fail.

Why do gamers feel disappointed by films based on their favorite games? One of the reasons is technical. Now everything can be computer-produced. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} However, filming a scene from 20 different cameras would cost a fortune, so it simply isn't done in the film version—leaving the gamers feeling that the film didn't look as real as the computer game.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} In a film the director doesn't show you some things to keep you have the feeling of excitement or anxiety. For example, you wouldn't be interested in watching the film if you knew the identity of the murderer. But this is not true for computer games. When you play a game, you have to do certain tasks to continue to the new level. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You are always in control as a player, while in the cinema you never control the action. You just sit and watch.

    There can be some interaction between films and computer games on different levels. For all the similarities between technologies and special effects, we shouldn't forget that a story and a game are fundamentally different.

A. Cameras matter in another sense, too.

B. The success of a game usually lies in the use of special effects.

C. You can't influence what happens at all in the computer games.

D. Computer games may show the action from a number of views easily.

E. The game has a good chance of being as successful as the film on which it is based.

F. You must be able to have access to all the information in order to decide what to do next.

G. However, the difficulty for film producers appears to be knowing where and when to stop.

5 Ways to deal with anxiety

    Everyone has feelings of anxiety, nervousness, tension, and stress from time to time. Here are 5 ways to help manage them:

    Become a relaxation expert.

    We all think we know how to relax. But chilling out in front of the TV or computer isn't true relaxation. (Depending on what you're watching or doing, it could even make you more tense.) The same is true for alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. What the body really needs is daily practice of a relaxation technique — like deep breathing, tai chi, or yoga — that has a physical effect on the mind. For example, deep breathing helps to relax a major nerve that runs from the diaphragm to the brain, sending a message to the entire body to let go and loosen up.

    Get enough sleep, and nourishment.

    Want your mind and body to feel peaceful and strong enough to handle life's ups and downs?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Eat well: Choose fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains for long-term energy (instead of the short bursts that come from too much sugar or caffeine).

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Spend time with friends or family. Organized activities are great, but just hanging out works too. Doing things with those we feel close to deepens our bonds, allowing us to feel supported and secure. And the fun and sharing that go with it allow us to feel happier and less upset about things. If you feel worried or nervous about something, talking about it with someone who listens and cares can help you feel more understood and better able to cope. You'll be reminded that everyone has these feelings sometimes. You're not alone.

    Get close to nature.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. (Choose somewhere you feel safe so you can relax and enjoy your surroundings.) Walking, hiking, trail biking, or snowshoeing offer the additional benefit of exercise. Invite a friend or two — or a family member — along and enjoy feeling connected to people as well.

    Pay attention to the good things.

    A great way to keep our minds off the worry track is to focus our thoughts on things that are good, beautiful, and positive. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Allow yourself to dream, wish, and imagine the best that could happen.

A. Connect with others.

B. Appreciate the small, everyday blessings.

C. There are many safe, drug-free remedies (补救措施) for anxiety

D. They may seem to relieve anxiety or stress, but it's a false and temporary state of relaxation.

E. Get the right amount of sleep for your needs — not too much or too little.

F. Some start working right away, while others may help lessen anxiety over time.

G. Heading out for a walk in the park or a hike in the woods can help too.