感悟人生-Unit 13 How to Get Straight A's 怎么得全优

Getting straight A s isn t as impossible as you may think. You don t have to look strange and you don t have to give up your social life. Some of your classes aren t so easy and your time --- filled with sports, clubs, friends, chores and maybe even a part-time job --- doesn t exactly allow for around-the-clock studying. However, just follow these six easy steps to success and we think you ll be surprised at the results on your next report card.

Pay Attention

The single most important practice to use, when hoping to achieve wonderful grades, is listening. It may sound overly-simple, like breathing or walking, but trust us, it works¹. Only attending class is not enough. You must clear your mind and pay attention to what the teacher is discussing for the entire length of the class. Don t talk with your friends or pass notes. Don t do your homework that s due next period. Paying attention to only what the teacher is saying and writing on the blackboard allows your mind a chance to take the information. Remember, it s not just hearing, it s learning² and remembering. Think of when your best friend is telling you something important. Are you humming a tune³, or do you sit and really listen to what they have to say?

Take Notes

Taking notes in class is important, but if not done correctly, it s more harmful than helpful. Ever notice that people who sit and write down every single thing the teacher says usually don t get the highest grades in class? It s more important to listen. Write down a few key points in the discussion⁴. Make a few notes to yourself or perhaps ask the teacher about after class.

Keep Up

Studying for a test is important enough. Don t make it more so by leaving behind required reading for the night before the test. Do your best to keep up with reading assignments so that when the time comes to study, you just have to take a look and stress on the most important parts to refresh⁵ your memory. You should never be first learning something the night before a test. If you should miss school because of illness, make sure a friend gets you the assignments. If you find yourself unable to keep up out of special reasons, talk to the teacher right away. Don t wait until it s too late!

See the Forest for the Trees

One big mistake that a lot of students make is paying attention just to details. Trying to recall⁶ specific dates when you re not sure of a general series of events is hard-working. Make a timetable to familiarize yourself with the study. If there s a lot of information to take, try summarizing⁷ it in an outline. This theory especially holds true in math and other scientific courses. If you re studying out of a text book, read the introduction paragraph and the summary paragraph at the end first, then read it through and re-read the summary. This helps keep it all reasonably.

Get Organized

In every class there s one who has a lot of loose papers and can never find anything or remember when an assignment s due. Typically, the student gets C s at best. Keep your papers for each class organized in separate folders⁸ or binders⁹. Keep track of all your assignment due dates in one date book. Always plan ahead. Every time you write an assignment into your little book, try to imagine how long it will take you to complete. Keep in mind what other things you have coming up before it s due, like other assignments and personal engagements¹⁰. Sometimes it may be necessary to complete an assignment a week before it s due just so you don t feel nervous when you realize you have a test the same day and a birthday party the night before.

Talk about it

The next time you have a big test, after you re done studying, leave time to talk it over with a classmate or two. It s a good opportunity to double check things you re not sure of, but more importantly it will keep everything fresh in your mind. Just hearing yourself explain a concept¹¹ will help you understand it better. Talking out loud about a moment in history or a book theme will help strengthen it in your memory. This is also a great way to make friends or even get to know a smart guy better. You can even make it fun, by having a few classmates over and putting out snacks . When your group meeting is over, you can all celebrate by dancing around the living room.

1 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

2 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

3 tune   

n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整

参考例句：

• He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
• The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。

4 discussion   

n.讨论，谈论；论述

参考例句：

• It is certain he will come to the discussion.他肯定会来参加讨论。
• After months of discussion,a peace agreement is gradually taking shape.经过几个月的商讨，和平协议渐渐有了眉目。

5 refresh   

v.使...生气蓬勃，提起精神，恢复精神

参考例句：

• I looked at the map to refresh my memory of the road.我看看地图以唤起对这条路的回忆。
• I think I'll just refresh myself with a cup of tea before I go to meet the children.我想在见孩子们之前先喝杯茶来恢复一下精神。

6 recall   

n.回忆，召回，取消；vt.回想起，召回，与...相似，恢复

参考例句：

• As you may recall, he was in the army then.你可能记得当时他正在从军。
• We demand that you recall your army from our border.我们要求你们撤回在我们边境的部队。

7 summarizing   

v.总结，概述( summarize的现在分词 )；列表；造表

参考例句：

• He decided to tag on an extra paragraph at the end summarizing what he'd said. 他决定在结束部分再增加一段文字，总结他说话的内容。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The schools produced diligent excerpting from older manuscripts, summarizing, and commentaries. 各学院从古代手稿里作了辛勤的摘录、总结和评注工作。 来自辞典例句

8 folders   

n.文件夹( folder的名词复数 )；纸夹；（某些计算机系统中的）文件夹；页面叠

参考例句：

• Encrypt and compress individual files and folders. The program is compact, efficient and user friendly. 加密和压缩的个人档案和folders.the计划是紧凑，高效和用户友好。 来自互联网
• By insertion of photocopies,all folders can be maintained complete with little extra effort. 插入它的复制本，不费多大力量就能使所有文件夹保持完整。 来自辞典例句

9 binders   

n.（司机行话）刹车器；（书籍的）装订机( binder的名词复数 )；（购买不动产时包括预付订金在内的）保证书；割捆机；活页封面

参考例句：

• Propellant binders based on these materials have excellent mechanical properties and good performance. 用这些材料制成的推进粘结剂的工作性能很好，而机械性能则更为突出。 来自辞典例句
• The and inferior binders fabrication process has become much more important. 黏合剂制作工艺优劣显得更加重要。 来自互联网

10 engagements   

订婚( engagement的名词复数 )； 婚约； 约会； 约定

参考例句：

• I have numerous engagements next week. 下星期我有许多约会。
• Broadway was full of loafing thespians in search of next season's engagements. 百老汇大街上挤满了闲荡的演员，在寻找下个季度的演出机会。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

11 concept   

n.概念，观念，思想

参考例句：

• A small baby has no concept of right and wrong.婴儿没有是非概念。
• He was asked to define his concept of cool.他被要求说明自己关于“酷”的定义。