For many high school students, it seems that there is never enough time. There are several steps you can take to organize your time better.

    ⒈Make a to-do list every day. It makes it easy to plan any activities or meetings you may have in addition to homework. Be sure to set priorities (优先的事物).{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    ⒉Use spare time wisely. Do you have a study hall? Instead of wasting that time, read a book or do homework.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} If a friend asks you to do something and you have homework to do, realize which is more important and see your friend later.

    ⒊Decide on the time that is good for you to do certain things. If you are more of a morning person, try getting up an hour earlier and do schoolwork before school. Review your notes every day.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you spend a few minutes at the end of every day going over what you learned, it will mean less time studying when it is time for the exam.

    ⒋{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Studies have shown that getting enough rest helps your memory. When you are tired, everything seems more difficult. It is best to stay on a regular sleeping cycle as much as possible.

    ⒌Tell your friends and family about your work timetable. Explain that you will be working at certain times and ask them not to disturb you.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} you can call your friends later.

A. Set goals for yourself.

B. Get a good night's sleep.

C. Do the most important tasks first.

D. And also, do not be afraid to say “no”.

E. You should finish your homework on time.

F. Don't wait until just before a test to remember everything.

G. Don't take phone calls during the time you set aside or work.

    Some people make you feel comfortable when they are around. You spend an hour with them and feel as if you have known them half your life.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Here are several skills that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they'll help you put people at their ease, and make friends with them quickly.

    First of all, good talkers ask questions. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}One well-known businesswoman says, "At business lunches, I always ask people what they did that morning. It's a common question, but it will get things going." From there you can move on to other matters—sometimes to really personal questions. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Second, once good talkers have asked questions, they listen to the answers. This point seems clear, but it isn't. Your questions should have a point and help to tell what sort of person you are talking to. And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If someone sticks to one topic, you can take it as a fact that he's really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones of voice. If the voice sounds dull, then, it's time for you to change the subject. Finally, good talkers know well how to deal with the occasion of parting. If you're saying goodbye, you may give him a firm handshake and say, "I've really enjoyed meeting you."{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Let people know what you feel, and they may walk away feeling as if they've known you half their life.

A. Real listening at least means some things.

B. You can become a popular person.

C. Almost anyone, no matter how shy he is, will answer a question.

D. And how he answers will let you know how far you can go.

E. If you want to see that person again, don't keep it a secret.

F. It's polite to listen to others with a smile.

G. These people have something in common.

Do's and Don'ts of Donating

    Giving up your unused or unwanted stuff is a great way to make space in your home for the items that you do enjoy on a regular basis. Not sure where to start? Here are some do's and don'ts of donating your belongings.

    Do Prepare Your Clothes

    You've thoroughly cleaned out your closet and drawers, and have a mountain of clothing waiting to be donated.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Make sure all buttons are accounted for, and that you can't see any dirty marks, or damage.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    The number one rule of donating your stuff is to make sure that it's in good, usable condition. Don't pass along old clothes or furniture, chipped dishes, books that are missing pages, or toys with lost pieces. Nobody wants to accept your damaged belongings. Find a local company that will recycle these items instead.

    Don't even think of donating these items

    With a little common sense it's easy to figure out items that are ideal for donations{#blank#}3{#/blank#} As a gentle reminder, it's never a good idea to donate car parts, dangerous waste, construction materials and weapons. Don't donate large appliances Major appliances such as stoves, fridges, freezers, washers and dryers typically reside on the 'do not donate' list due to health and safety reasons. All items accepted for donation must be thoroughly clean and in good working order. With secondhand appliances, it can be difficult to guarantee that they fit the bill. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Don't donate recalled items

    Every so often a product recall hits the news headlines. Highchairs, toys, holiday lights for Christmas trees the list of recalled items due to safety concerns is endless.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}A dangerous product should be thrown away, and not passed on to an unsuspecting person. Think of the well-being of others before dropping off something that's viewed as a hidden danger in your own home.

A. They're all acceptable items for donation, too.

B. Instead of donating an unwanted large appliance, call your local trash collection company and arrange for their safe disposal.

C. But unfortunately some people will throw away the contents of their home without a second though.

D. Before you bag up these pieces, inspect each one to ensure that they're in good condition and ready to be owned by someone else.

E. Don't donate damaged items.

F. Clothes aren't the only household items that can be donated.

G. Never donate recalled items!

    We know that choosing a college major can be very hard. But have no fear! Your choice of major will not lock you into a specific career for the rest of your life. Here's what you need to know about college majors before you commit.

    What is a major?

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Beyond general college requirements, you'll also take a group of courses in a subject of your choosing such as Chemistry, Literature, or Political Science.

    How important is my major?

    The major you choose will neither predict nor guarantee your future. Many graduates find jobs that have nothing to do with what they studied in college. If you intend to earn a professional degree after college, you will probably need certain courses. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    When do I declare a major?

    This varies widely across schools and programs. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Others require that you declare upon a major by the time that you set foot inside your first class.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Definitely. One of the most exciting aspects of college life is that it introduces you to new subjects and arouses new passions. However, keep this in mind. Every major has necessary coursework. If you change your major late in the game, it may take more than the traditional four years to earn a degree.

    What are minors and double majors?

    If one field of study doesn't satisfy your intellectual appetite, consider a minor. A minor is similar to a major in that it's an area of academic concentration. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}A double major provides you with an understanding of two academic fields. It allows you to become familiar with two sets of values and views while it also requires you to fulfill two sets of requirements.

A. Can I change my mind?

B. Is my major time-consuming?

C. It's your specialized area of study in college.

D. Most students find one major is more than enough.

E. Some schools may give you one year or more to decide.

F. But many future doctors major in non-science related fields.

G. The only difference is that it doesn't require as many classes.

    Every new person added to the planet needs food, water, clothes, and so on. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Those things require extra natural resources, including land and water. But Earth's riches are limited. Less than 1 percent of Earths water can be used for drinking and washing. One out of every thirteen people around the world does not always have enough clean water.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Too many people are using too much water, especially in the already dry areas of the southwestern United States.

    Food shortages(不足) are even more common. Worldwide, one out of every seven people does not get enough to eat.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Over time, the soil loses its nutrients(营养) and the farmland becomes useless for growing food. As the world becomes more crowded(拥挤的), more land is needed to make way for growing cities. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. That's a problem because trees help take in a gas called carbon dioxide. Humans produce carbon dioxide by burning coal and oil. Fewer trees mean more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The buildup of carbon dioxide traps heat and pollution above Earth.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, although every person uses the planet's resources. The richest billion people, Americans especially, use the most resources. They also produce the most waste.

A. Forests are cleared away

B. Some people use a lot more than others

C. Water shortages have hit many parts of the world

D. Water pollution is a serious problem in some areas

E. More trees should be planted to handle air pollution

F. Huge needs for food force farmers to overuse their land

G. More people mean more cars, roads, schools, hospitals, and stores

Have you ever been labeled "perfectionist"? Or do you consider yourself to be one? It's inviting to see perfectionism as a desirable or positive quality. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Healthy perfectionists want to develop their skills continually. Their standards are always rising, and they approach work with optimism, pleasure and a desire to improve. Unhealthy perfectionists, however, are never satisfied with what they achieve. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They may experience fear of failure, anxiety and other painful emotions.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#} According to a 2011 research, perfectionism is linked to health issues such as eating disorders and depression. Perfectionism can also seriously impact your creativity. This is because perfectionism can prevent you from leaving your comfort zone and taking risks. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} You may avoid starting a new project until you've found the best way to approach it. You might also get caught up in minor details or repeat tasks that have already been completed. As a result, this wastes time that could have been spent on more important tasks.

If you think that you have a problem with perfectionism, start by setting realistic goals. Think about your most important life and career goals. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Not only will this make it easier to reach your objectives, but you'll also experience the thrill of achieving these smaller goals.

Perhaps Theodore Roosevelt said it best—"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. " Accept that this is the best you can do and don't try and make up some perfect world.

A. If something isn't perfect, they refuse it.

B. Perfectionism can lead to self-criticism, too.

C. Perfectionism can damage your productivity, too.

D. Then, break them down into monthly or yearly steps.

E. In fact, severe perfectionism can do more harm than good.

F. They show that you're not afraid to push yourself and try new things.

G. When perfectionism gets out of control, it can harm you in many aspects.