Today, some traditional methods are unfashionable, particularly in the fast changing world of technology. A person who relies only on formal education may be cheated. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Self-learning is still considered the best. You know yourself best, and you can learn at your own pace.

    A self-learner has his own freedom. It is a choice between the things that you may want to learn more and improving your abilities. It can also lead you to great personal satisfaction. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Then, what you should pay attention to when you are teaching yourself? Well, first of all you must realize what you will do and achieve. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Whether it is learning a new language, a new subject or a hobby, it can be a great start in teaching yourself.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It can be harder than a typical classroom situation. One should have the ability to keep on trying, especially during times when you want to give up.

    Learning the basics is very important before starting a new approach. It may become easy if you master the basics and its advanced skills.

    Give yourself some space when problems are at hand. Timing out may renew your mindset and energies, particularly in solving problems.

    Involve yourself in a group of people who have the skills that you want to achieve. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} 

A. Learning on your own is more enjoyable.

B. So ask yourself what you want to do.

C. A person also has to help himself learn.

D. Be brave to turn to others for advice outside class.

E. Forums (论坛) are the best way to get valuable information.

F. Don't try to spend a lot of time researching learning methods.

G. Be patient while you are learning on your own.

    The benefits of keeping a journal (日志)

    If you want to grow, one important thing you should do is keeping a journal. It may seem simple, but it can make a big difference in your life. I have been keeping journals for years. Writing all the lessons I learn and all the ideas I get has become a habit for me.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Here are some benefits you will get by keeping a journal.

    It prevents you from losing an idea. Have you ever gotten an idea only to lose it later because you didn't write it down?{#blank#}2{#/blank#}But then I developed the habit of writing down every idea that came into my mind as soon as possible. If I'm away from my computer, I usually write it down on a piece of paper that I bring wherever I go. I will then transfer the idea to the journal in my computer.

    It helps you review all the lessons you've learned. By reviewing your journal, you can quickly see the lessons you've learned and the ideas you've gotten.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}You can use the ideas to propel (鞭策) yourself forward.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}After keeping a journal for years, you can look back at it and see how far you've gone. Things that were big problems in the past might seem small today. The raw ideas you had in the past might have been realized today.

    It helps you expand（扩展） your ideas. When you try to come up with a sentence to express an idea, you are thinking actively about it.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}In the end, you will expand your ideas.

A. I often experienced that myself.

B. It trains you to express your thoughts.

C. It allows you to see your progress over time.

D. Just use whatever tool you feel comfortable with.

E. Thinking actively helps you connect your idea to another idea.

F. And to be honest, I can't imagine what my life would be like without it.

G. Then you can do whatever necessary to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

How to Prepare for Guests

    Guests are people whom we welcome sincerely and we should make sure they feel comfortable like they are in their home. Sometimes we get enough time to make preparations for guests, but sometimes we don't. This article will be beneficial for both these kinds of people. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Get a bedroom for your guests. It doesn't have to be complicated. Change bed covers, clean the bathroom and you can even add a nice scented(芬芳的) candle to spice things up. These are simple things you can do even if you are a very busy person. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Know what your guests' favorite foods are so that you can make for them and serve. Don't forget to note down if they are allergic to any certain kind of food to save the embarrassment(难堪). If you are among one of those people who can hardly manage the time to cook for your guests then take them to the restaurants so that they can taste new foods or enjoy their favorite ones.

    Plan activities to have a good time with your guests. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If they come over the weekends then plan for some indoor activities to have fun. It's also a good way to remove your tiredness from your boring life.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It can happen that you may not be able to be with your guests for a certain amount of time while they are staying in your home. In that case you must declare it to them and may have someone else to accompany them while you are absent.

    When your guests say goodbye, give them something as a token(信物) of love to remember the days they stayed with you. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Declare your absence.

B. Allow them to come and go as they please.

C. Just bear in mind everything fresh and clean will do fine.

D. If they come during the vacation then you can plan for outdoor activities.

E. Here are some ways to help you to put away things well in a short amount of time.

F. Make your guests feel even more welcome by including them in activities such as outings, or movies.

G. It can be just a photo in a beautiful frame that will remind them of beautiful moments that they spent with you.

                                                          How to pass an important test

    Whether it's a first grade science test or College Entrance Exam, all tests have one thing in common: you have to pass.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Stuck in a situation where you don't know what to do? This article can help. Tips

    ★⒈Once you get the study guide, make plans right away to study as soon as possible. No excuses! Killing time with friends isn't worth it，since you can always hang out with them any other day.

    ★⒉Get plenty of rest. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If you walk into the classroom sleepily, you'll most likely not finish the test because you are so tired.

    ★⒊Eat a good meal for breakfast. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Some healthy breakfast suggestions are oatmeal (燕麦片), high fibre food, and grapefruit with the fresh fruit salad.

    ★⒋Bring all necessary materials. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Bring pencils, pens, pencil sharpeners, snacks (if allowed)，erasers, the calculator (if allowed) and anything else you'll need for the test.

    ★⒌{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Showing up late cuts back the time you'll have to take for the test if it's already testing hours. You'll probably miss any important information needed in completing the test. In some tests，late comers are not allowed to take the test.

    When we were kids, if our parents wanted us to stop the screen time, they would turn off the TV. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} They grab the cell phone, the tablet or the laptop. Here we will talk about how to control their screen time.

    First, limit the time they use screens. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Kids are smart. Once you go back to your daily routine, they will quickly be back on a screen. Because they just don't understand that when you tell them to get off the tablet or computer, you mean for the rest of the day.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It can be going outside to play, reading a fun book or cleaning their room. Presenting them with an alternative helps the under-developed planning part of their little brains get past what they can't do and see what else is possible.

    And third, hide the screen device. That one may not seem very fair. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If they don't see the device around the house, they can't grab it. This way, works for us adult-types who may be a little too addicted to screens ourselves.

    Ultimately, the best way to help kids recognize how much is too much screen time is to limit our own. Yeah, you may have to stare at one all day for your job, but do you really have to come home and immediately turn on the TV or answer that email on your phone? Don't think your kids aren't taking excuses from your actions. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Second, give them an alternative.

B. So, it's necessary to set a limited time.

C. It may seem easy, but it can be challenging.

D. Now, kids often have a choice of which screen they want.

E. They watch you just as closely as they watch those screens.

F. Now go to find a screen and turn it off, for you and for your kids.

G. But the phrase “out of sight, out of mind” actually works sometimes.

    After a tiring day, your bedroom, a comfortable and inviting space, should be one place where you can finally relax. If the space seems too limited, you can try out these tips to make it look larger.

    ⒈Avoid dark colors and increase natural light.

    In a small room, walls and decoration that are dark can make the area seem even smaller. Choose light color like cream and peach for your walls. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Try to allow as much natural light as possible to fall into the room, through the window or the balcony door. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    ⒉Look for furniture that uses wall space.

Choosing furniture that fits into a corner or which can be placed against a wall will greatly increase ground space in your room. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}—--try hanging some on one wall and see the difference it makes.

    ⒊Find creative ways to store your stuff.

    Make full use of the built-in shelves and storing capacities in the kitchen and bathroom. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}You can also look for multi-function furniture: a coffee table with drawers, or a foot stool with interior storage.

    ⒋{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    When doing weekly clean-ups, throw out your old and unused objects and keep only the essential items in view. You can also cut back on the unnecessary appliances. Move the table fan out into the living room during winter. If your bedroom is already small, don't bring in a TV. If you already have one, try moving it out and see if it gains you extra space.

A. Mirrors also create an impression of space.

B. Remove untidy and unnecessary appliances.

C. Store rarely used items in a box under your bed.

D. Purchase the possible less furniture for your room.

E. Bright sunlight can kill some bacteria in your bedroom.

F. Sunlight will brighten the room and make it seem more cheerful.

G. Pillows, curtain covers, and decorative items should also be light in color.