The world is becoming more and more connected, but many people feel lonely in the midst of it. You might not feel lonely right now, but there might be times when you do. Here are some tips on dealing with loneliness:

    Be positive about yourself.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you constantly think of yourself as ugly, mean, or unattractive, then it will be difficult for you to connect with others. You must accept yourself before you can accept others. It's common that you might have some negative qualities. So does everyone else. So in order to get rid of loneliness, you should focus on your positive side and think of yourself in a positive way.

    Have an attitude of gratitude (感恩){#blank#}2{#/blank#}It's easy to focus on the negatives in life, but don't forget that there are also many positives. Remember them and be thankful. What does this have to do with loneliness? Well, if you are grateful, then you will become cheerful{#blank#}3{#/blank#} See the positive side of others. Just as you should see the positive side of yourself, you should also see the positive side of others. Everyone has shortcomings, but everyone also has a positive side.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}That will make you like them and make it easier for you to connect with them.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} The more you think about yourself, the more likely it is for you to have a pity party and feel lonely. For example, you might think that nobody likes you or cares about you. So it's important that you shift your attention away from yourself. It can be as simple as smiling at your neighbors or holding a door for a stranger.

A. Join a community group.

B. Do something for others.

C. Negative thoughts can kill you.

D. Instead, try to make more friends.

E. And that will attract people to you.

F. Count your blessings and be grateful for them.

G. So choose to value the positive aspects of them.

    How to test best

    It's back to school, which means it's back to tests, which might also means it's back to being majorly stressed out.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some simple ways to prepare thoroughly for tests.

    Schedule study time.

Trying to do all studying the night before a test makes it impossible to master all the materials.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Instead, prepare for a test by scheduling study time each day for several days before.

    Use your time wisely.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Also, make sure you have all the supplies（用具）you need to study so you don't lose focus. While studying, be sure to make regular short breaks. Get a snack, take a bathroom break or play a quick computer game when it feels as if your brain is about to explode.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Studying with a parent or friends can help you understand the material better and to learn from one another. Have every person or pair take a part of the material, and come up with questions to quiz the group. Keep the group small. Have everyone take turns as the group leader, who will assign the material, and make sure that conversation stays on what is being studied.

    Don't forget last-minute preparation.

Have your sharpened pencils and other things in your bag ready the night before the test. It's important to get a good night's sleep and then eating a healthy breakfast the next morning.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Also, studying all the way up until test time can only create more anxiety. Stop studying an hour beforehand.

A. Form a study group.

B. Stay cool before the test.

C. It doesn't have to be this way.

D. This will help you store important information.

E. This way, both your mind and body are fully prepared.

F. Before studying, clear your desk so you can concentrate.

G. It will also make you tired and stressed on the day of the test.

    Every year, thousands of students choose to study in another country for a semester, the summer, or a year. Studying overseas can be an exciting experience for many people.

Why do you study overseas?

    Living in another country can help you to learn a language, and about another culture. You will see the world in a new way, and learn more about yourself. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many companies today want employees who speak a second language, or have experienced living or working in another country.

    Make the right choice.

    Once you decide to study overseas, you have to make some choices. To choose the right country or school, ask yourself: Where do I want to go and why? How much do I want to pay? How long do I want to study overseas? {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Get your passport and visa (签证) early! Before you go, learn some of the language, and read about some common customs in your host country. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Bring some of it, and a credit card with you.

    Once you are there.

    After the first few weeks overseas, many students will feel a little homesick. They may miss their family, and familiar ways of doing things. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} When you feel sad or homesick, try to talk to others, or write your feelings in a notebook.

A. Get ready to go.

B. Learn about the country.

C. Get quick access (进入) to foreign universities.

D. Overseas study may also look good on your future resume (简历).

E. Do I want to live with a host family, with roommates, or alone?

F. Remember that it takes time to get used to a new place, school, and culture.

G. As a study-abroad student, you will pay tuition fees (学费) to the overseas institution.

    A good book can be satisfying. If reading is a habit you'd like to get into, there are some ways to develop it.

    Realize that reading is enjoyable if you have a good book. If you have a difficult book and you are forcing yourself through it, it will seem like a task. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Set time. You should have some time during every day when you'll read for at least 5 to 10 minutes. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}For example, make it a habit to read during breakfast and lunch and even dinner if you eat alone.

    Always carry a book. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} When I leave the house, I always make sure to have my car keys and one book at hand. The book stays with me in the car, and I take it into the office and to appointments and pretty much everywhere I go.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Find a place in your home where you can sit in a comfortable chair. Don't lie down unless you're going to sleep. There should be television or computer near the chair, and no music or no noisy family members/roommates. If you don't have a place like this, create one.

    Reduce television/the Internet. If you really want to read more, try cutting back on time on TV or the Internet. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Still, every minute you reduce of the Internet/TV, you could use for reading. This could create hours of book reading time.

A. Wherever you go, take a book with you.

B. Go to bookstores.

C. Have some good tea or coffee while you read.

D. Find a quiet place.

E. This may be difficult for some people.

F. If this happens, give up the book and find another one that you'll really love.

G. It means you will read no matter how busy you are

The Things That Keep Us From Succeeding

    We have always been told not to fear failure because it is essential to success. So we should embrace failure or at least the possibility of failure.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. If you're not reaching the kind of success you imagine, one or more of the following things might well be true of you, too.

    NO.1: You don't have a goal. A lot of time we find ourselves struggling through a day-to-day routine that isn't getting us anywhere because we don't know where we want to go. Sometimes we had goals when we set ourselves on a particular path, but we've changed along the way and those goal s are no longer that important.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}, figuring out what your goals are is important.

    NO.2: You don't have a vision. Setting goals is important but isn't enough to drive you to the finish line; it's important, too, to be able to imagine yourself as the achiever of your goals. If goal s are the end result of a journey, your vision is the fuel to get you there.

    NO.3: You don't have a plan. If goals are your destination and a vision is your fuel，your plan is the map to get you there.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. The world is full of people with goals they have never accomplished because they didn't have a plan—don't be one of them.

    NO.4: You're too certain or not certain enough. Too much certainty creates inflexibility. If you're sure that your plan is correct, and refuse to accept the possibility of error, you may well find yourself stuck when an unexpected change comes about. However strong your plan and however sure you are of your goals, make room for periodic reassessment.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. If you refuse to take a step because you aren't positive that it will move you towards success, you won't make any better progress than if you had no goals at a11.Keep your eyes open and be willing to change, but have faith in yourself, too.

    NO.5: {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Often we close ourselves off from other people not because we're afraid that they will influence us but that we will influence them. We are afraid that our brilliant ideas will be taken up by someone else and no longer be solely ours. So we avoid sharing our passions, and spend our energy jealously guarding our "secret" rather than simply moving forward. In the end，we turn our passions into burdens that are difficult to carry instead of a joy.

A. Whatever the case

B. Whatever the cause

C. You worry about being copied

D. You don't learn from your mistakes

E. At the same time, too little certainty will fail you

F. However, fear isn't the only thing that keeps us from succeeding

G. Without it, you have no idea what immediate steps to take to achieve your goals

Is Fresh Air Really Good for You?

We all grew up hearing people tell us to "go out and get some fresh air". {#blank#}1{#/blank#}According to recent studies, the answer is a big YES, if the air quality in your camping area is good. 

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}If the air you're breathing is clean—which it would be if you're away from the smog of cities—then the air is filled with life-giving, energising oxygen. If you exercise out of doors, your body will learn to breathe more deeply, allowing even more oxygen to get to your muscles (肌肉) and your brain. 

Recently, people have begun studying the connection between the natural world and healing (治愈). {#blank#}3{#/blank#}In these places, patients can go to be near nature during their recovery. It turns out that just looking at green, growing things can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and put people into a better mood (情绪). Greenery is good for us. Hospital patients who see tree branches out their window are likely to recover at a faster rate than patients who see buildings or sky instead. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}It gives us a great feeling of peace. 

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}While the sun's rays can age and harm our skin, they also help us make up beneficial vitamin D. To make sure you get enough vitamin D—but still protect your skin—put on sunscreen right as you head outside. It takes sunscreen about fifteen minutes to start working, and that's plenty of time for your skin to absorb a day's worth of vitamin D.