Poodllnotdisplayedbecauseithasnotbeenregistered.Askyourteacher/administratortoregisterPoodllatPoodll.com.1Goodafternoon!Aspresidentoftheuniversity,Iamproudtowelcomeyoutothisuniversity.Yourachievementisthetriumphofyearsofhardwork,bothofyourownandofyourparentsandteachers.Hereattheuniversity,wepledgetomakeyoureducationalexperienceasrewardingaspossible.
2Inwelcomingyoutotheuniversity,Iamremindedofmyownhighschoolgraduationandthephotographmymomtookofmydadandme."Posenaturally,"Mominstructedus."Wait!"saidDad,"Let'stakeapictureofmehandinghimanalarmclock."Theclockwokemeupeverymorningincollege.Itisstillonmyofficedesk.
3Letmesharewithyousomethingthatyoumaynotexpect.Youwillmissyouroldroutinesandyourparents'reminderstoworkhardandattainyourbest.Youmayhavecriedtearsofjoytobefinallyfinishedwithhighschool,andyourparentsmayhavecriedtearsofjoytobefinallyfinishedwithdoingyourlaundry!Butknowthis:Thefutureisbuiltonastrongfoundationofthepast.
4Foryou,thesenextfouryearswillbeatimeunlikeanyother.Hereyouaresurroundedbygreatresources:interestingstudentsfromalloverthecountry,alearnedandcaringfaculty,acomprehensivelibrary,greatsportsfacilities,andstudentorganizationscoveringeverypossibleinterestfromtheartstoscience,tocommunityserviceandsoon.Youwillhavethefreedomtoexploreandlearnaboutnewsubjects.Youwilllearntogetbyonverylittlesleep,meetfascinatingpeople,andpursuenewpassions.Iwanttoencourageyoutomakethemostofthisuniqueexperience,andtouseyourenergyandenthusiasmtoreapthebenefitsofthisopportunity.
5Youmayfeeloverwhelmedbythewealthofcoursesavailabletoyou.Youwillnotbeabletoexperiencethemall,butsamplethemwidely!Collegeoffersmanythingstodoandtolearn,andeachofthemoffersadifferentwaytoseetheworld.IfIcouldgiveyouonlyonepieceofadviceaboutselectingcourses,itwouldbethis:Challengeyourself!Don'tassumethatyouknowinadvancewhatfieldswillinterestyouthemost.Takesomecoursesinfieldsyou'venevertriedbefore.Youwillnotonlyemergeasamorebroadlyeducatedperson,butyouwillalsostandabetterchanceofdiscoveringanunsuspectedpassionthatwillhelptoshapeyourfuture.Awonderfulexampleofthisisthefashiondesigner,VeraWang,whooriginallystudiedarthistory.Overtime,Wangpairedherstudiesinarthistorywithherloveoffashionandturneditintoapassionfordesign,whichmadeherafamousdesigneraroundtheworld.
6Hereattheuniversity,itmaynotalwaysbepleasanttohavesomanynewexperiencesallatonce.Inyourdorm,thestudentnextdoormayrepeatedlyplaytheonesong,whichgivesyouagiantheadache!Youmaybeanearlybirdwhileyourroommateisanightowl!Andstill,youandyourroommatemaybecomebestfriends.Don'tworryifyoubecomealittleuncomfortablewithsomeofyournewexperiences.Ipromiseyouthatthehappyexperienceswilloutweightheunpleasantones.AndIpromisethatvirtuallyallofthemwillprovideyouwithvaluablelessonswhichwillenrichyourlife.So,withaglowinyoureyeandasonginyourheart,stepforwardtomeetthesenewexperiences!
7Wehaveconfidencethatyourjourneytowardself-discoveryandyourprogresstowardfindingyourownpassionwillyieldmorethanpersonaladvancement.Webelievethatasyoubecomemembersofourcommunityofscholars,youwillsooncometorecognizethatwiththeabundantopportunitiesforself-enrichmentprovidedbytheuniversity,therealsocomeresponsibilities.Awisemansaid:"Educationissimplythesoulofasocietyasitpassesfromonegenerationtoanother."Youaretheinheritorsofthehardworkofyourfamiliesandthehardworkofmanycountlessotherswhocamebeforeyou.Theybuiltandtransmittedtheknowledgeyouwillneedtosucceed.Nowitisyourturn.WhatknowledgewillyouacquireWhatpassionswillyoudiscoverWhatwillyoudotobuildastrongandprosperousfutureforthegenerationsthatwillcomeafteryou
8Wetakegreatpleasureinopeningthedoortothisgreatstepinyourjourney.Wetakedelightinthemanyopportunitieswhichyouwillfind,andintheresponsibilitiesthatyouwillcarryascitizensofyourcommunities,yourcountry,andtheworld.Welcome！
Poodllnotdisplayedbecauseithasnotbeenregistered.Askyourteacher/administratortoregisterPoodllatPoodll.com.Poodllnotdisplayedbecauseithasnotbeenregistered.Askyourteacher/administratortoregisterPoodllatPoodll.com.Mydearchild,1Youareabouttopanticipateinthenextlegofyourjourneythroughlife.Forus,thispartisbittersweet.Asyougoofftocollege,excitingnewworldswillopenuptoyou.Theywillinspireandchallengeyou;youwillgrowinincredibleways.
2Thisisalsoamomentofsadness.Yourdeparturetocollegemakesitundeniablyclearthatyouarenolongerachild.Therehasbeennogreaterjoythanwatchingyouarriveatthismoment.Youhaveturnedourgreatestchallengeintoourgreatestpride.Althoughwehavebroughtyoutothispoint,itishardtowatchyoudepart.Rememberaboveallthings,wewillmissyou.
3Collegewillbethemostimportanttimeofyourlife.Itisherethatyouwilltrulydiscoverwhatlearningisabout.Youoftenask,"WhydoIneedtoknowthis"Iencourageyoutostayinquisitive,butrememberthis:"Educationiswhatremainsafteronehasforgotteneverythinghelearnedinschool."Whatyoulearnisnotasimportantasthefactthatyoulearn.Thisistheheartofscholarship:movingfromteacher-taughttomaster-inspired,onovertothepointwhereyoubecomeaself-learner.So,takeeachsubjectseriously,andifsomethingdoesn'timmediatelyengageyou,don'tdespair.Embraceitasachallenge.Findawaytomakeityourown.
4Ofcourse,youmuststilltakecaretosignupforcourseswhichstimulateyourpassionyou’reyourintellectualcapacity.Don'tbeboundbywhatotherpeoplethink.SteveJobssaid,whenyouareincollege,yourpassionwillcreatemanydots,andlaterinyourlifeyouwillconnectthem.So,don'tworrytoomuchaboutwhatjobyouwillhave;don'tbetoopractical.IfyoulikeFrenchorKorean,studyitevenifsomeoneelsetellsyouthatit'snotuseful.Enjoypickingyour"dots".Beassuredthatoneday,youwillfindyourownmeaningfulcareer,andyouwillconnectabeautifulcurvethroughthosedots.
5Youknowthatwealwayswantyoutodoyourbest,butdon'tletthepressureofgradesgettoyou.Wecareonlythatyoutryyourverybest,andthatyoulearn.Itisbetterthatyourgreatesteffortearnsalessergradethanthatnoeffortearnsyouadecentorhighergrade.Gradesintheendaresimplylettersfittogivethevainsomethingtoboastabout,andthelazysomethingtofear.Youaretoogoodtobeeither.Therewardisnotthegradebutwhatyoulearn.
6Moreimportantly,makefriendsandtrustothers.Thefriendsyoumakeincollegecanbethebestonesyouwilleverhave.Duringtheseyears,whenyoumoveintoadulthood,thefriendsyoumakeincollegeliveclosertoyouthanyourfamily.Youwillformbondsoffriendshipthatwillblossomovermanydecades.Pickfriendswhoaregenuineandsincere.Selectafewandbecometrulyclosetothem.Don'tworryabouttheirhobbies,grades,orlooks.Instead,trustyourinstinctswhenyoumakenewfriends.Youareagenuineandsincereperson;anyonewouldenjoyyourfriendship.Sobeconfident,secure,andproactive.Ifyouthinkyoulikesomeone,tellthem.Youhaveverylittletolose.Don'tbeafraidtotrust.Giveothersthebenefitofthedoubt,anddon'treduceanyonetostereotypes.Nobodyisperfect;aslongasothersaregenuine,trustthemandbegoodtothem.Theywillgiveback.
7Rememberalsothatyouryouthisfullofstrengthandbeauty,somethingthatyouwillnotcomprehenduntilitisgone.Youmustguardandcultivateyourstrengthandbeauty.Ahealthybodyandasoundmindarethegreatestinstrumentsyouwilleverpossess.Enjoylife.Danceifyoufeellikeit.Don'tbeafraidofwhatotherpeoplethink.Butalsokeepyourselfsafeandsound.Don'tlettherangeofnewexperiencestakeyourinnocence,health,orcuriosityawayfromyou.Treasureyouryouthandtheuniversityexperiencebeforeyou.
8Collegeisthetimewhenyouhave:thefirsttasteofindependence,thegreatestamountoffreetime,themostflexibilitytochange,thelowestcostformakingmistakes.
9Approachtheseyearsenthusiastically!Makethemostofyourtime.Becomethegreatthinkeryouwereborntobe.Letyourtalentsevolvetotheirfullestpotential.Bebold!Experiment!Learnandgrow!Weareenormouslyproudthatyou'vemadeitthisfar,andwecan'twaittoseewhatyouwillbecome.
Yourfather
WordsandExpressionstriumphn.（尤指苦战后获得的）胜利，成功，成就
pledgevt.发誓；作保证
posevi.（为照相或画像而）摆姿势vt.造成，导致（困难或危险）
routinen.例行公事；常规；惯例a.常规的；例行的；惯常的
attainvt.得到；获得；赢得
foundationn.基础
resourcen.1资源；2自然资源
facultyn.1全体教员；2天赋；能力；本领
comprehensivea.综合的；多方面的
facilityn.（为某种目的而提供的）设施，设备
communityn.1（同住一地的人所构成的）社区；2群体；团体
explorevt.探讨，研究（主题、思想等）v.勘探；探测；考察
fascinatinga.吸引人的；迷人的；使人神魂颠倒的
pursuevt.1追求；致力于；2追赶；追逐
passionn.1强烈的爱好；热爱n.2强烈的情感；激情
uniquea.1特别的；极不寻常的；极好的；2不同的；独特的
enthusiasmn.热爱；热情；热心
reapvt.收获；获得v.收割（庄稼）
benefitn.好处；益处；裨益
opportunityn.机会；时机
overwhelmvt.（数量大得）使无法对付
availablea.可获得的；可利用的；现成的
samplevt.1体验；2对…作抽样检验n.样本；样品；货样
assumevt.假定；假设；认为
emergevi.1出现；为……所公认；2出现；露出
gianta.巨大的；特大的
maten.同事；同伴
roommaten.（尤指大学里的）室友
owln.猫头鹰
virtuala.1几乎相同的；实质上的；2虚拟的；模拟的
virtuallyad.1实际上；几乎；差不多；2虚拟地；模拟地
enrichvt.使丰富；充实；强化
glown.1（某种）强烈的情感；2柔和稳定的光vi.发出柔和稳定的光
confidencen.1信心；信赖；信任；2自信心
yieldvt.1产生（结果等）；2出产；产生vi.屈从；让步
abundanta.大量的；丰富的；充裕的
responsibilityn.1（道德、社会）责任，义务；2责任；3职责；任务；义务
inheritvt.沿袭，秉承（信仰、传统或生活方式）v.继承（财产）
inheritorn.1（生活或思想方式的）后继者，继承人；2遗产继承人
transmitvt.传送；传递；传播
acquirevt.1学到，获得（知识、技能）；2取得；获得；3购得；得到
prosperousa.富裕的；繁荣的；兴旺的
remindsb.ofsb./sth.1使某人想起某人或某事2使某人想起（相似的）人或事
getby过活；过得去；勉强应付
makethemostofsth.最大限度地利用某物
reapthebenefits(ofsth.)得享（某事物的）好处
inadvance预先；提前
standachance(ofdoingsth.)有（做成某事的）希望
overtime逐渐地；慢慢地
turn(sb./sth.)intosth.（使某人/某物）变成
allatonce1同时2一下子；突然
takepleasurein(doing)sth.乐于做某事
openthedoortosth.给…以机会；给…敞开方便之门
takedelightin(doing)sth.以（做）某事为乐
VeraWang王薇薇（1949–，著名美籍华裔设计师，被誉为“婚纱女王”）
TextAAchild’sclutterawaitsanadult'sreturnTextBTimeslowsdown
Poodllnotdisplayedbecauseithasnotbeenregistered.Askyourteacher/administratortoregisterPoodllatPoodll.com.1Iwatchherbackhernewtruckoutofthedriveway.Thevehicleistoolarge,tooexpensive.She'drefusedtoconsiderapracticalcarwithgoodgasefficiencyandeasytopark.It'sbecauseofme,Ithink.Sheboughtittoshowmethatshecould.
2"I'm18,"she'dtoldmesooftenthatmyteethached."Iamanadult!"
3Ithought,isthattrueJustyesterdayyouwatchedsomecartoons.Whatchangedbetweenyesterdayandtoday
4Todayshe'sgone,offtobeanadultfarawayfromme.I'mgladshe'sgone.Itmeansshemadeit,andthatI'mfinallyfreeof18yearsofresponsibilities.AndyetIwonderifshecouldtakegoodcareofherself.
5Sheleftamess.Herbathroomisanembarrassmentofdamptowels,rustedshavingblades,hairinthesink,andnearlyemptytubesoftoothpaste.Ibringaboxofbigblackgarbagebagsupstairs.Eyeshadow,facecream,nailpolish—allgointothetrash.Idumpdrawers,sweepshelvesclearandcleanthesink.WhenIamfinished,itisasneatandimpersonalasahotelbathroom.
6InherbedroomIfindmismatchedsocksunderherbedandpurplepantsontheclosetfloor.Deskdrawersarefiledwithschoolpapers,fieldbyyearandsubject.Icatchmyselfreadingthroughpoemsandessays,admiringhighscoresontestsandreadinghername,printedortypedneatlyintheupperright-handcornerofeachpaper.Ipackthedeskcontentsintoabox.Sixmonths,Ithink.Iwillgivehersixmonthstocollectherbelongings,andthenIwillthrowthemallaway.Thatisfair.Grown-upspayforstorage.
7Ihavetopauseatthebooks.Comicbooks,teenfiction,romanticnovels,historicalnovels,andtextbooks.Alifetimeofreading;eachbookbeloved.Iwanttobepractical,tostufftheminpapersacksfortheusedbookstore.ButIlovebooksasmuchasshedoes,soIstackthemontoasinglebookshelftodealwithlater.
8Igoforherclothes.Dresses,sweaters,andshoesshehasn'twornsinceseventhgradeareplacedintogarbagebags.Iamaplagueoflocustsemptyingthecloset.Twopilesgrowtoclumsyheights:oneforcharity,theothertrash.
9Therearemoreshoes,stuffedanimals,largeandsmallposters,hairbands,andpinkhaircurlers.ThejobgrowslargerthelongerIamatit.Howcanonegirlcollectsomuchinonly18years
10Istuffthegarbagebagsuntiltheplasticstrains.Ihaulthemdownthestairs,twobagsatatime.Donationstocharitygointothetrunkofmycar;trashgoestothecurb.I'mearningmyselfsweatandsoreshoulders.
11Sheleftthebedroomaridiculousmess,thecomforteronthefloor,thesheetstossedaside.Istripoffthecomforter,blanket,sheets,andpillows.Onceshestartsfeedingcoinsintolaundrymachines,she'llappreciatetheyearsofcleanclothesI'veprovidedforfree.
12Iwillturnherroomintoacraftsroom.OrcreatethefancyguestroomI'vealwayswanted.
13Iturnthebedover.Alargebrownenvelopeismarked"DONOTTHROWAWAY."Iopenit.Morepapers.Idumpthecontentsontothefloor.Thereareoldfamilyphotographs,letters,greetingcards,andlovenotesfromustoher.Therearecomicsclippedfromnewspapersandmagazines.Everysingleiteminthisenvelopehaspassedfromourhandstohers.Theseareallthingsthatwegaveher.Suddenly,Ifeelveryemotional.
14"DONOTTHROWAWAY."
15Mykid—myclutterbug—knowsmetoowell.AsIreadthroughthecardsandnotes,Ithinkmaybethetruckwasn'tsuchabadidea,afterall.Maybeithelpshertofeellesssmallinabigworld.
16Ireversemyselfandbringbackthegarbagebagsfromthecarandthecurb.Clothesandshoesgobackintothecloset.Iremakethebedandpileitwithstuffedanimals.Myhusbandcomeshomeandcallsupthestairs.
17"Juststraighteningup,"Itellhim."Canyoufindsomeboxesforherstuff"
18Hebringsupboxesfromthebasement.
19"Sheleftamess,"hesays.
20"Idon'tmind,"Ireply.Silence.
21Thenhesayssoftly,"She'snotcomingback."Ifeelmythroattightenatthesadnessinhisvoice.Itryhardtokeepbackmytears.
22Mylittlebaby,mydependentchild,isn'tcomingback.Butsomedaymydaughter,theindependentwoman,willreturnhome.Tokensofherchildhoodwillawaither.Sowillwe,withopenarms.
Poodllnotdisplayedbecauseithasnotbeenregistered.Askyourteacher/administratortoregisterPoodllatPoodll.com.1"Daddy,let'stakeawalk."
2It'sanAprildayinVirginia.Henods,putshishandsonthearmsofhiswheelchair,whisperssomethingthatmakeslittlesense.Itrytohelphimup,butheistooheavyandlimp.
3"Comeforawalk,andthen—I'vebroughtyouasurprise."
4Thewhitecurtainssurgeinthebreeze.
5Shivering,hecomplainsit'schilly."It'scold,I'mtired.Can'twegohomenow"
6Suddenlywe'refarawayinatimelongpastinpartofaharborI'veneverseenbefore.December,Chicago,I'mfive,andcold.Onegloveislost.Myfeetaretired.Hislegsarelonger;hestridesquicklythroughmeltingsnow,towardbuildingslikeairplaneshedswithimmensedoors.
7ThisisthemostexcitingplaceIhaveeverbeen.Suddenlymyfatigueisgone.Icouldwalkalonghereforever,atleastuntilIfindouthowtogetaboardoneoftheboats.
8Weslowdownourpace.Smallershedsnow.Agreendiner.Smellsoffishandsmoke.Weenteralittlehut.Barrelsofsaltywater,stringbagsofshellfish,bundlesoffishlaidoutonice.
9"Daddy,lookatthatsnake!"
10"No,that'saneel,"saysDaddy."Smoked.We'lltakeaportionhomeforsupper."
11"Icertainlywon'teatthat!"
12"Allright,"hesays,andcarriesthesmellypackage.Aswewalkback,hetellsmeaboutmigrationsofeelstotheSargassoSea:howeelscomedownDalmatianriversandswimacrosstheMediterraneanandthenthewholeAtlantic,untiltheyreachthewarmSargassoSea.Heretheylaytheireggs,andthenthebabyeelsswimbacktothenativeriversoftheirparents.
13Backatlastintheapartment,heunwrapstheeel,openshispocketknifeandslicescarefully.
14"Iwon'teatit,"Isaysuspiciously.
15"Tryonebite,justforme."
16"Iwon'tlikeit."
17Whilehehangsupourcoats,Itestonepinch.Smelly,smoky,andsalty.
18Hegoesintothekitchentoheatmilkformeandteaforhimself.Itestanotherpinch.Thenanother.Hereturnswiththesteamingcups.
19Theeelhasvanished.
20BecauseitisSundayandIamfive,heforgivesme.Timeslowsdownandtheloveflowsin—fathertodaughterandbackagain.
21At19,IflyouttoJapan.MyfatherandIclimbMountFuji.HighabovethePacific,andhoursuptheslope,wepicnicondriedeel,seaweedcrackers,andcoldricewrappedintheeelskin.Hereachesthepeakfirst.
22Astheyearsstretch,wewalkalongwaterwaysallovertheworld.Withhislongstride,heoftenovertakesme.I'veneverknownanyonewithsuchenergy.
23Somedays,timeflieswithjoyallaround.Otherdays,timerotslikeoldfish.
24TodayinthenursinghomeinVirginia,anticipatinghisreluctance,Ibegboldlyandencouragehim,"Please,Daddy,justalittlewalk.Youaresupposedtoexercise."
25Hecan'tgetoutofhischair.Notthatheoftengetsuponhisown,butonceinawhilehe'llsuddenlyhaveasurgeofstrength.Istooptolifthisfeetfromthefootrestraints,foldbackthemetalpieceswhichoftenscrapehisdelicate,paper-thinskin."Come,nowyoucanstand."
26Hegripsthewalkerandstrugglesforward.GraduallyIliftandpullhimtohisfeet.Standingunsteadily,heswaysandthengainshisbalance.
27"See,youmadeit!That'swonderful!Allright,I'llberightbehindyou,myhandinthesmallofyourback.Now—forward,march!"
28HeisimpatientwiththewalkerasIaccompanyhimtothediningroom.Ihelphimtohischair,andhandhimaspoon.Itslipsfromhisfingers.Pureedtunaisheapedonaplasticplate.Iencouragehim,singhimoldsongs,tellstories,buthewon'teat.WhenIliftaspoonfulofgrayfishystufftohismouth,hesayspolitely,"Idon'tcareforany."
29NorwouldI.
30ThenItakethesmallsmellypackagecoveredinwhitewrappingpaperfromaplasticbag.Helovespresents,andhereachesforwardwithawkwardfingerstotrytoopenit.Thesmellfillstheroom.
31"Look,Daddy,they'vebeenoutofitformonths,butatlastthismorningatthefishsellernearthePotomac,Ifoundsomesmokedeel."
32Weunwrapit,andthenItakeouttheSwissArmyKnifemybelovedauntgaveme"forsafekeeping",andslicethesilveryflesh.
33"Whatabeautifulpicnic,"myfatherbeams.
34Hetakesasipofhischampagne,andthenwithsteadyfingerspicksupasliceofeelanddownsiteasily.Thenanother,andanother,untilheeatsthewholepiece.Andagain,timeslowsdownantheloveflowsin—daughtertofatherandbackagan.
TextACollegelifeintheInternetage
TextBToomuchofagoodthing-arealaddiction
1Thecollegecampus,longaplaceofscholarshipandfrontiersofnewtechnology,isbeingtransformedintoanewageofelectronicsbyafleetoflaptops,smartphonesandconnectivity24hoursaday.
2Onatypicalmodern-daycampus,whereeverybuildingandmostoutdoorcommonareasofferwirelessInternetaccess,onestudenttakesherlaptopeverywhere.Inclass,shetakesnoteswithit,sometimesinstant-messagingoremailingfriendsiftheprofessorislessthaninteresting.Inherdorm,sheinstant-messagesherroommatesittingjustafewfeetaway.Sheistiedtohersmartphone,whichsheevenusestotextafriendwholivesoneflooraboveher,andwhichsuppliesmusicforwalksbetweenclasses.
3Welcometocollegelifeinthe21stcentury,wherestudentsoncampusareelectronicallylinkedtoeachother,toprofessorsandtotheirclasswork24/7inanever-flowingriverofinformationandcommunication.WithmanyschoolsofferingwirelessInternetaccessanywhereoncampus,collegesasagrouphavebecomethemostInternetaccessiblespotsintheworld.
4Studentssaytheyreallyvaluetheirfingertip-accesstotheboundlessamountofinformationonline,andtheabilitytoemailprofessorsat2a.m.andreceiveresponsesthenextmorning."IalwaysfeellikeIhaveameansofcommunication—inclassandoutofclass,"saysoneengineeringmajor.
5Manyareusingsmartphones,notonlytocreatetheirowndialectswhentexting,butalsotodomoreseriouswork,suchaspracticingforeignlanguagesandanalyzingscriptsfromtheirtheaterclasses.InauniversityclassonthehistoryofAmericanradio,studentsusesmartphonestorecordtheirownradioshows.Thecourseinstructorsaid,"It'saddingtostudents'senseofexcitementaboutthesubject."Professorshavebeenencouragedtotapetheirlecturesandpostthemonline."Werealizedtheremightbesomepotentialforadevicethatcouldgetattentionandencouragesophisticatedthinking,"saysoneleadinguniversitydirector.
6Formostundergraduates,non-stopInternetconnectivityisthefuelofcollegelife.Morethanjusttoys,theseinstrumentsarepowerfultoolsforthestorageandmanagementofvirtuallyeverykindofinformation.Andasmorepeoplearoundtheworldadopttheseinstruments,theyarebecomingindispensable.So,studentsshouldusethewondersoftheInternettodohomework,reviewlectureoutlines,takepartinclassdiscussionsandnetworkonlinewiththeirfriends.Butindoingso,studentsmustremembertoregulateandbalancetheirtime.Toomuchtimeonlinecanmeantoolittletimeinreal-lifestudyingorexercisingorvisitingwithfriends.StudentsshouldnotlettheInternetworldontheircomputerscreenstakethemawayfromtherealworldoutside.
7CollegesbeganembracingInternetaccessinthemid-1990s,whenmanybeganwiringdormswithhigh-speedconnections.Inthepastfewyears,schoolshavetakentheleadbyturningtheircampusesintobubblesofWi-Finetworks.Infact,arecentstudyintheUSfoundthatinformationtechnologyaccountedfor5%to8%ofcollegebudgets,upfromanestimated2%to3%inthemid-1980s.
8Ononecampus,studentsuseWi-Fitofireoffinstantmessages,reviewtheirhomeworkassignments,andchecktheirbankbalances.Justninemilesdownthehighway,anotheruniversityhadbeenfeelingabitofatechnologyinferioritycomplex.Tocompensate,itspenttensofthousandsofdollarstogiveeveryoneofitsincomingfreshmenafreeAppleiPad.
9Someuniversitiesevenrequirethatallstudentsownorleasealaptop.Somesaythefocusontechnologypreparesstudentsforawiredworld."Youhavetokeepupwiththerestoftheworld.Studentsexpecthigh-bandwidthinformation,andifyoucan'tdeliverit,you'reatacompetitivedisadvantage,"statesauniversitypresident.
10Othercollegesarestrainingtostandoutfromtheirpeers.Theracetoattractstudentswiththemostmodernnetworksandthehottestsystemshasreachedfeverpitch.Somebusinessmajorsarereceivingfreeportablecomputers.Inanalways-connectedmode,theycangetinformationanytimeandanywheretheyneed.Oneuniversityisevengivingitsfreshmennewsmartphonestoenrichthestudentexperienceandpreparethemforsuccessinarapidlychangingworld.
11Forthosewhoprefertotravellaptop-free,collegessupplyseveralcomputerlabs.Andforstudentswhostudylateintothenight,manyhavesetup24-hourrepairshopswherestudentscangettheirlaptopsfixedbythenextdayandreceivealoanerinthemeantime.
12Collegesaroundtheworldhavebeenreplacingtheircomputersystemsforthepastdecade,inlargeparttoprovidestudentswiththemostadvancedfreesystem.Theanywhere-anytimeaccesshasalreadyyieldedamazingbenefitsineducation.Withthewidespreadapplicationofcomputertechnologies,wearegoingtoproduceagenerationofproblem-solversandintelligentthinkers,whichisindispensableforthefutureoftheworld.
Poodllnotdisplayedbecauseithasnotbeenregistered.Askyourteacher/administratortoregisterPoodllatPoodll.com.
12Collegesaroundtheworldhavebeenreplacingtheircomputersystemsforthepastdecade,inlargeparttoprovidestudentswiththemostadvancedfreesystem.Theanywhere-anytimeaccesshasalreadyyieldedamazingbenefitsineducation.Withthewidespreadapplicationofcomputertechnologies,wearegoingtoproduceagenerationofproblem-solversandintelligentthinkers,whichisindispensableforthefutureoftheworld.Poodllnotdisplayedbecauseithasnotbeenregistered.Askyourteacher/administratortoregisterPoodllatPoodll.com.
TextAHeroesamongus
Pre-readingactivities
TextBAhero’saspiration
1Who'saherothesedaysInaneraofheightenedheroism,thewordherohasbecomemorecommon.Weuseherotodescribebothvictimsandsurvivorsofallkindsofdifficultiesandtragedies.Whoaretheheroesamongus
2InthedayssubsequenttoamassshootinginTucson,Arizona,manydescribed20-yearoldpoliticalassociateDanielHernandezasahero.Duringthehorribleshooting,hecourageouslyranthroughthedangertosavethelifeofoneofthevictims,hisbossandfriend,congresswomanGabrielleGiffords.Danielheldherheadupsoshecouldbreatheandappliedpressuretoherwounds.Hespoketenderwordsofsympathy,tellingherthathewouldfindherhusbandandherparentsandthateverythingwouldbefine.Andheneverleftherside,stayingbesideherintheambulanceallthewaytothehospital.
3AnotherherofromthemassshootinginTucsonwasDoryStoddard.Dorygavehislifeforhiswife,Mavy.DoryandhiswifehadbeenfriendssincechildhoodandwhenDoryheardshotsringoutheimmediatelyfellontopofhiswifetoshieldherfromthehailofbullets.Atthememorialservice,thepriestsaid:"Dorydidn'tdieahero;helivedahero."Longknownforhisremarkablespiritandloveofhumanity,DoryStoddarddiedashehadalwayslived,assistingothers.
4Thesearecivilianheroes,whoactedinstinctivelywithcourageandgracewhencaughtupinextraordinarycircumstances.
5Butwhataboutfirstresponders,whosejobis,inthewordsofthewidowofafallenpoliceofficer,to"rushtowarddanger"
6InToronto,Canada,downtownlifestoppedwhenmorethan11,000policeandotheremergencyrespondersmarchedsolemnlythroughthestreetstohonorSergeantRyanRussell,a35-year-old"goodmanandgoodcop",whobelieveddeeplyinhiscommitmenttoprotectandserve.Sgt.Russellmovedquicklytoprotectothersfromharm.Hetriedtostopadrunkdriverinastolensnowplowwithonlyhispoliceautomobileandhisgoodwilltohelpothers.Sadly,Sgt.Russellwasunabletostopthedrunkdriverandwaskilledintheeffort.
7Itusedtobethatthewordherowasreservedforthosewhoperformedactsofdistinctcouragebeyondthecallofduty.Asoldierwhorunsthroughgunfiretorescueothermilitarypersonnelisseenasahero.Soarelarger-than-lifeleaderssuchasNelsonMandela,whoemergedafter27yearsofjail,confinedinasolitarychamber.Hemadethechoicenottobebitter,andworkedhardasSouthAfrica'sfirstblackpresidenttoestablishharmonyandhelpedsocietyreconcileitsconflictedpast.
8Buttoday,ourheroesareaveragemenandwomen,"everydayheroes"towhomwecanrelate,peoplelikeus.
9However,whilemanypeoplehonorSgt.Russell,somepeopleraisethisquestionwhentheytrytomakesenseofatragedylikeSgt.Russell's:"Somefirstrespondersdonotsucceedinhelpingothersandtheygetinjuredordieintheirefforts.Dothesepeoplebecomeheroesbecauseofwhathappenstothemastheytrytohelpothers—insteadofwhattheyactuallymakehappen"
10IaskedroadsafetyadvocateEleanorMcMahonwhethershethoughtSgt.Russellwasahero.Ms.McMahon'slatehusband,apoliceofficer,waskilledbyadrunktruckdriverina2006off-dutybicyclingaccident.Throughgriefandrage,Ms.McMahonfoundedSharetheRoad,acyclingassociation,andworkedtirelesslyuntilthegovernmentestablished"Greg'sLaw",legislationthatgaveauthoritytopolicetoimmediatelyseizetheautomobilesofdrunkdriverscaughtontheroad.
11Ms.McMahonrepliedthatshethoughtSgt.Russellwasindeedahero."Justimagine,inthemiddleofanintensesnowstormthispolicemanthinks:I'vegottostopthissnowplowbeforeithurtsothers."Ms.McMahonsummedupwhysheconsideredmanypoliceofficerstobeheroes:"It'snaturaltobeafraidofdanger.It'snaturalforthatfeartocausemostpeopletorushtowardsafetyandawayfromdanger.Heroesdojusttheopposite.Theyrushtowarddangertohelpthoseinneed."
12Wecountonfirstresponderstorushtowarddanger,especiallywhenitinvolvesusorthosewelove.Weexpectnothingless.Sowhenoneofthemdiesdoingthat,weshouldrecognizetheheroicactioneventhoughwemaydoubtourowncapacitytobeheroicourselves.
13Theinspiringstoriesofheroeshelpremindusthatordinarypeoplecandoextraordinarythings,whetheritisinthefulfillmentoftheirdutiesoraspartofeverydaylife.Wehonorthefireman,thepoliceman,andtheaveragecitizenbyrecognizingtheirheroism.Perhaps,evenmoreimportantly,wehonorthembyworkingtochangethecircumstancesthatledtotheirdeath.Byhonoringthemwecanbeinspiredbythem.WillwebeheroeswhencircumstancescallonustoactheroicallyHopefully,wewill!Poodllnotdisplayedbecauseithasnotbeenregistered.Askyourteacher/administratortoregisterPoodllatPoodll.com.
OnaNewYorkCitysubway,it'shardenoughtofindsomeonewho'llgiveuphisseattosomestranger,letalonebewillingtogivehislifeforanotherperson.
Fifty-year-oldWesleyAustreywasaconstructionworker.Onedayhewasstandingonasubwayplatformwithhistwolittledaughters.Rightinfrontofthemstoodaman.Suddenlythemanslippedofftheplatformedgeandfelltothetracksbetweenthetworails.Theheadlightsofatrainappeared.Wesleyhadtomakeaquickdecision.Hejumpedontothetracks.Helayontopoftheman,pressinghimdowninaspaceroughlyafootdeep.Therewasonlyonehalfinchofspacebetweenthetwomenandthetrain.Thetrainrolledoverheadbeforeitstoppedandpeoplegotthemout.
Wesley'schildrenwereextremelyscaredatthescene,andWesleyhimselfwasscaredtoo.“Igottotalktohim,”laterhetoldnewsreporters.“Sir,youcan'tmove.I'vegottwokidsuptherelookingfortheirfathertocomeback.Idon'tknowyouandyoudon'tknowme,butlisten,don'tpanic.I'mheretosaveyou.”
ThemanWesleysavedis20-year-oldCameronHollopeter.Exceptforafewsmallwounds,Hollopeterwasdoingfine.Wesleyrefusedmedicalhelpbecause,hesaid,nothingwaswrong.HevisitedHollopeterinthehospitalbeforehewenttowork.“Idon'tfeellikeIdidsomethingextraordinary;Ijustsawsomeonewhoneededhelp,”hesaid.“IdidwhatIfeltwasright.”
1OfficerJonda'spulsequickened.Roadconditionsweredangerousonthatcold,darkwinterynight.Thefiercestormmadeithardtosee,butshecouldtellthecaraheadofherwasintrouble.Itwasswaying.Itwasnotswayingviolently,andwasstillbarelywithinthelane,butonthewindingroadinthefierceNovemberrain,itwasenough.Jondahadasixthsenseforaccidentsandlivedinterrorofthemeversincethatawfulnightsomanyyearsago.Shestillcouldn'tabolishtheterribleimageofthatteenagerscreamingforhelp,herhelp.Helpthatshehadbeenunabletogiveasshewasdrivenbackbytheintenseheatofthecarfire.
2Hersubsequentreportontheincidenthaddutifullynotedthefacts,asshehadbeentrainedtowritethem,factsthatdidnotincludescreamsorpain.Itwasstrangetotalkaboutthemoneway:astringoffactsforapolicereport;andtothinkabouttheminanother:burningmetalanddeeptiretracksontheslipperyconcrete,bitsofsafetyglasslikeprimitivecrystalsreflectinginpoolsofblood.ThesewerememoriesJondacouldneverreallyturnoff.Sheleanedonhertrainingforsupport,andthesedayssheneverignoredanysignsofthenextaccident.Shemadeagesturetoturnonthepatrolcar'sflashinglights,butherpartner,David,beathertoit;hetoohadsensedthedanger."Let'spullthatcaroverbeforesomeonegetshurt,"hesaid.
3Thebigcarslowed,butnotenoughtostopatthewarningsignasthedriverslammedonthebrakes.ThecarslippedofftheroadintotheDaltonRiver.
4Jondaquicklybroughtthepolicecartoahaltandgotout.YellingatDavidtocallforbackuphelp,sheslippeddownthesideoftheroadtothewater'sedge.
5Therainhadswelledtheriverintoaragingmonster.Itroaredwelloveritsbanks,rushingswiftlywithtreelimbscaughtintheragingcurrent.Andhalfsubmergedinthecurrentwasthecar.Asbigasitwas,theforceofthewaterhadheaveditagainstatree,thepassengerseatsubmerged,waterrushingoverthewindshield."DearLord!"Jondaprayed."Neveragain!"Thisistoomuch,toofamiliar,Jondathought.
6Thedriverwouldnothavehadtimetomakeitout,Jondaknew.Herflashlightbeambarelycutthroughtheheavyrain,butshecouldstillseethetrappeddriverscreamingandbangingthewindow.Andthecarwasfillingupwithwater.
7"David,Ineedthewindowhammer!"Jondacalledoverherradioandrushedtowardthecar.Bythetimeshewasatthedriverdoor,thewaterwasrushinguptoherwaist,andunbelievablycold,likeherlegshadbeenencasedinice.Ifshedidn'tworkquickly,shecouldlosethefeelinginherlowerbodyandcollapse.
8Throughthewindow,Jondasawthewomanwithwateruptoherchest.AworkbadgepinnedtoherchestidentifiedherasSandy.Andshewasold,65or70.Shewouldnotlastlongintheicywater.Hereyes,betrayingherintensefear,werelockedonJonda's."Saveme,"shescreamed.
9DavidcaughtupwithJondaandpassedherthewindowhammer."Ma'am,"sheyelledthroughthewindow,"Ineedyoutoturnawayfromtheglass!I'mgoingtobreakthrough!"Thewomanturnedherhead,andJondastruck.Theglass,thickastheoldcarwasbig,barelycracked.AndwithaheavyheartJondafeltthecarheave.Thecurrentwaslooseningitfromthetree.
10Jondastruckagainwithallhermightandthistime,mercifully,thewindowbrokeintolittlepieces.Waterrushedinandthecarheavedagain,soontobecarrieddownstream.
11Thewomantriedtospeakthroughhershiveringlips."TellmygrandchildrenIlovethem,"shemoaned.
12Jondaleanedinandwrappedherarmsaroundthewoman."We'renotgoingtoloseyou,Sandy!Putyourarmsaroundmyneckandholdon!David,grabmywaistandpull!"
13Withallherstrengthintheicywater,Jondagrabbedtheslenderwomanoutofherseatandthroughthebrokenwindow,Davidpullingatherwaist.Thecarheavedonelasttime,andjustasthewomanclearedit,itwasswallowedbythewater.
14ThewomanwascryinginJonda'sarms."It'sallright,ma'am,"Jondasaid,tearsstreakingdownhercheeks,unabletoletgoofthewoman."Wedidn'tloseyou!Wedidn'tloseyou!"shecried.Stiffandsore,Sandycried,"Thankyou!"
15Sincetheaccident,thetwowomenhavebecomeclosefriends."She'safantasticwoman,"Sandysays."Shejustrefusedtoletmedie.I'mforevergratefultoher."ButJondafeelsshehasmuchtobegratefulfortoo,becausefinally,sheishealedandfreeoftheacutenightmaresofherpast.
TextACliffYong,anunlikelyhero
TextBShapingyoungliveswithsports
1Consideredoneofthetoughestmarathoneventsintheworld,the875-kilometerannualAustralianrace,aroutefromSydneytoMelbourne,isaharshtestofendurancefortheworld'stopathletes,regardlessoftheirage.Theyoung,super-fitrunnerstrainformonthsbeforeacompetitionandareundercontracttoprominentsponsorslikeNikeandAdidas,whofinancethemandfurnishthemwithasubstantialsupportmechanismofmoneyandequipment.Thecontesttakesuptosevendaystocompleteandisachallengingtestoffitnessandstrengthevenforworld-classathleteswhocompetefordistinctionandacashprize.
2Onthedayoftheracein1983,CliffYoung,atoothless61-year-oldfarmerandamateurrunner,wearingrubberboots,andmucholderthantheotherrunners,wasinattendance.Noonepaidanyattentiontothisodd-lookingmanwhomightaswellhavebeeninvisible.TheassembledcrowdassumedCliffwastheretoobservetherace.Whenheassertedhisintentiontocompete,theworld-classathletesaroundhimreactedwithapparentdisbeliefandthenwithdisrespect.Obviously,thiswassomesortofpublicitytrick.
3Butthepresswascurious,soashetookhisnumberandmovedintothecrushofrunnersintheirspecial,expensiveracinggear,thecamerafocusedonhimandtheassembledreportersshoutedquestionafterquestionatCliff.Theyasked:"Whoareyou""Whatareyoudoing"
4"I'mCliffYoung.I'mfromalargefarmwhereweraisesheepoutsideofMelbourne."
5Theywenton,"WhatmakesyouthinkyoucanrunthisraceIttakesaweektorunthisraceonnomorethansixhoursofsleepanight!"
6Cliffreplied,"I'verunsheepfortwoorthreedaysatatime.Thisraceshouldonlybeacouplemoredaysthanthat.IbelieveIcandoit."
7Soon,themarathonstartedandtheyoungathletesleftClifffarbehind.Thecrowdssmiled,andsomelaughedoutloudbecausehedidn'tevenrunproperly.Hehadthestrangestrunningstyle;heappearedtoshuffle.Astheraceprogressedalong,ofcourse,theattentionofthesportscommentatorsandviewersalikewasontheathletesatthefrontofthepack.Imagineeveryone'ssurprisethenextmorningwhenthenewsshowedCliffwasstillintherace!Notonlythat,buthehadrunthroughtheentirenightwithoutsleeping.Anditseemedthatheintendedtokeeprunninguntilhereachedthefinishlineorfellillorwasinjuredasmanyviewersnowbegantofear.Theywereuneasyandveryconcernedforhiswelfare.Manypeoplesaidandevenmorepeoplethought:"Surely,someoneshouldstopthisinsaneoldmanbeforehereallyharmshimself!"
8ButCliffhadnointentionofstopping.Althoughhewasstillfarbehindtheworld-classathletes,hekeptatit.Whenhegottoamajortown,hewasaskedabouthisplanfortherestoftherace.Hesaidhewouldjustkeeprunning,andhedid.Witheverypassinghourandeveryshufflingstep,hegotjustalittlebitclosertotheraceleaders.Later,hetoldpeoplethatthroughouttheracehekeptfocusedbyimagininghewasgatheringhissheepandtryingtooutrunastorm.
9Bythefifthnight,hehadovertakenthemall.Bythesixthday,heledthewholepackofrunnersbyawidelead.Heledallthewaytothefinishline,smashingtherecordbyfinishingthe875-kilometerracein5days,15hoursand4minutes—9hoursfasterthananyonebefore!Inthatinstant,CliffYoungbecameabelovednationalhero.
10WhenCliffwasawardedthefirstprizeof$10,000,hesaidhedidn'tknowtherewasaprizeandinsistedthathehadnotenteredforthemoney.Hesaid,"There'refiveotherrunnersstillouttheredoingittougherthanme,"andhegavethem$2,000each.Hedidnotkeepasinglecentforhimself.ThatactincreasedhisfameandendearedhimtoallofAustralia.
11Cliffcametoprominence[rosetofame]againin1997,atage75,whenheattemptedtobecometheoldestmantorunaroundAustraliaandraisemoneyforhomelesschildren.
12Fortherestofhislife,Cliffkeptrunning.Overtheyears,despiteincreasingageandphysicalchallenges,heparticipatedinmanyracesandwonanumberofthem.ItwassaidthatCliffYoungneverkeptasingleprize.Peoplegavehimwatchesbecauseheneverhadone.Hewouldthankthembecausehedidnotwanttohurttheirfeelings,butthengavethemawaytothefirstchildhesaw.Hesaid,"Idon'tneedawatch.Iknowwhenit'sdaylight,whenit'sdark,andwhenI'mhungry."
13Hisloveforrunningneverdimmed,butintheyear2000,hesufferedamildstrokethatendedhisheroicrunningdays.CliffYoung,therunninglegend,passedawayonNovember2,2003.Hewas81.
14Tothisday,CliffYoungremainsamagnificentreminderandbrilliantexampleofhowordinaryindividualscaninherentlyachieveremarkableresults.Asthefamoussayinggoes,"Wherethere'sawill,there'saway!"Withdeterminationandpreparation,wecanachievedistinctionandbeabrilliantexampletoothers.有坚定的决心和充分的准备，我们就能获得殊荣，也能成为别人的光辉榜样。
1Theleadersoftomorrowareshapedandmoldedinthehereandnow.AstheRomanpoet,Juvenal,famouslysaid,"Ahealthymindistobefoundinahealthybody."Forparents,teachers,andcoaches,thereisnogreaterresponsibilitythansustainingthementalandphysicalhealthofouryoungpeople.
2Growingchildrenneedinspirationandphysicalstimulation.Teamsportsareagreatwaytoprovidetheseattributes!Morethanjustentertainment,throughsportsyoungpeoplelearncriticalskillsthatwillservethemwellintheiradultlives.Theabilitytoworktowardacommongoalunderlinesthevalueofteamwork.Beingbothhumbleinvictoryandgenerousindefeatemphasizesthemutualobligationofgracefulmannersinallhumaninteractions.Thelessonsouryouthlearnwillstaywiththemalltheirlives,andthereisnobetterplacetoassistthislearningthanontheplayingfield.
3Ofcourse,themostcriticallessonsyoungstersreceivearethosethattheyaretaughtbytheirparentsandteachers.Nevertheless,manylessonsremainabstractconceptsuntiltheyaremaderealbylifeexperiences.Youcantalkabouthowbitterlemonsareorhowsweethoneyis.However,untilyouactuallytastelemonsandhoneyyoucannotexperiencethetruemeaningof"bitter"and"sweet".Knowledgecomesfromtheapplicationofideasintheexperienceofreallife.Strategy,teamwork,andcooperationarecrucialconceptsthatcanbebestlearnedandunderstoodthroughsports.Teamsportsgivechildrenanaturalplacetoworkhardandlearnvaluablelifelessons.
4Naturally,thosewhoareinherentlytalentedwillspendmoretimeonthefieldandwillachievefame.Theyhavetheopportunitytodevelopleadershipskillsandearntherespectoftheirteammembers.However,thebenefitsofparticipatinginteamsportsarenotdependentonnaturalability.Youthneednotbestarstobenefitfromteammembership.Itdoesn'tmatterwhethertheyaregiftedattheirchosensport.AsafamousAmericansportswritersaid,"It'snotwhetheryouwinorlose.It'showyouplaythegame."
5Sportscaninspireandencouragethelessnaturallytalentedathletestobetheirbest.Whatismissinginnaturaltalentcanbeovercomethroughhardwork,practice,andlearningfromtheexampleofothers.Thoselackingintalentshouldneverbeenvious,andtheymaylearnmoreabouttherealworldthanthegiftedplayersbecausetheylearnearlyonthattherearenofreeridesandtheywillhavetomakecontinuouseffortiftheywanttoachieveinthisworld.Throughsports,theywilllearnthevalueofindividualhardworkandevengreatervalueofcooperationandteamwork.Theywillalsolearnthefundamentalimportanceofplanningandpreparationforthepositiveoutcomeoftheirlife'sambitions.Thesearealllessonsthatwillbevaluabletothemthroughouttheirentirelives,bothintheircareersandtheirpersonallives.
6Ofcourse,participationincompetitiveteamsportsisnotwithouthazards.Somepsychologistshaveexpressedconsiderableconcernabouttheintensityofcompetitioninyouthsports.Theyarguethatchildrenoftensufferpsychologicalharmwhentheemphasisisexclusivelyonwinning.Afootballcoach,famousforhiscompetitivespirit,said:"Winningisn'teverything;itistheonlything."Suchanoutlookcanbeharshonchildrenwhentheyfeelpressuredtowinfromtheadultsaroundthem.Childpsychologistsoftenblameparentsandcoachesforbeingtoodemanding.Byplacingexcessiveemphasisonwinning,childrenmissthelearningopportunitiessportscanoffer.Insuchcircumstances,thesportsexperienceuncoversnegative,drainingandharmfulconsequences,cancelingoutthemanydesirableeffectsofsports.
7Sportsteachmuchmorethanwhatiseasilyseenonthesurface.Youngathleteslearnsomethingeverytimetheystepontothefield.Itdoesmuchmorethanjustkeepyoungbodiesinshapeandgrowingathealthyrates.Sportsgiveyouthasenseofself-worthandaccomplishmentandteachthemtodealcapablywithfailureandsuccess.Ithelpsthemlearnthewaysoftheworld,thebenefitsofhardworkanddetermination,andhowtocoexistwithotherstoachieveacommongoal,evenwithotherteammemberstheymaynotparticularlylike!Itallowsyouthtofindaroletheycanfill,thentochangeoradapttothatrole,and,overtime,togrowandredefinewhotheyareandwhotheywillbecome.Thesearealltraitsthatcanbeextremelyusefulintherealworld,anddevelopingsuchtraitsatanearlyagepavesthewayforsuccesslaterinlife.
TextAToworkornottowork-Thatisaquestion
TextBEarnasyoulearn
1Therearenumerousandreliablewaysbywhichonecanmeasuretheimpactofemploymentonstudentachievement,andweusedseveralinourresearch.Wecomparedthegradesofstudentswhoworkagreatdealwiththosewhoworkinlimitedamountsornotatall.Wealsocontrastedworkerswithnon-workers,ondifferentindicatorsoftheircommitmenttoeducation.Additionally,wefollowedstudentsovertimeastheyincreasedordecreasedtheirworkhours,andweassessedhowdifferentpatternsofemploymentalteredschoolperformanceandengagement.
2Wehavesimplifiedandclassifiedthedataandtheresultsareclear:Thestakesarehigh.Aheavycommitmenttoapart-timejobduringtheacademicyear,say,working20hoursperweekormore,underminesandsignificantlyinterfereswithschoolachievementandcommitment.Overall,ourstudyoffersproofthatstudentswhoworkedmorethan20hoursweeklywerenotcomparabletotheirclassmates.Theyearnedlowergrades,spentlesstimeonhomework,cutclassmoreoften,andcheatedmorefrequently.Andtheyreportedlowerlevelsofcommitmenttoschoolandmoremodesteducationalaspirations.
3Ontheotherhand,wealsodetectedadifferentpattern.Workingforapproximately10hoursperweekorlessseeminglydoesnottakeaconsistenttollonschoolperformance.Nevertheless,giventhathalfofallemployedseniors,aboutone-thirdofalljuniors,andaboutone-fifthofallsecond-yearstudentsworkabovethe20-hourlimit,indicationsarethatalargenumberofstudentsareatriskofcompromisingtheirschoolcareerswiththeirpart-timejobs.
4Whereasitistruethatmoredisengagedstudentsaremorelikelytoworklonghourstobeginwith,itappearsthatworkingmakesamarginalsituationworse.Inotherwords,overtime,themorestudentswork,thelesscommittedtoschooltheybecome.Whenstudentswithdrawfromthelaborforceorcutbackontheirworkhours,however,theresultsarestriking:Theirinterestinschoolisgeneratedanew.Thisthenisgoodnews:Thenegativeeffectsofworkingonschoolingarenotpermanent.
5Weuncoverednumerousexplanationsfortheundesirableeffectsofworkingonstudents'engagementinschool.First,owingtotheirdemandingworkschedule,workingstudentshavelesstimetodevotetoschoolassignments.Onecommonresponsetothistimepressureisthattheycutcornersbytakingeasierclasses,copyingassignmentsfromotherstudents,cuttingclass,orrefusingtodoworkassignedbytheirteachers.Overtime,asthesebecomeestablishedpractices,students'commitmenttoschooliserodedbitbybit.
6Second,inordertowork20hoursormoreeachweek,manystudentsmustworkevenings.Eveningworkinterferesnotonlywithdoinghomework,butwithbothsleepanddiet.Studiesshowthatworkingstudentsgetlessrestandeatlesshealthymealsthannon-workingstudents.Burningthemidnightoilmakesworkingteenagersmoretiredinschool.Teachersfrequentlycomplainaboutworkingstudentsfallingasleepinclass.Nearlyathirdofthestudentsinourstudysaidtheywerefrequentlytootiredfromworktodotheirhomework.
7Third,itappearsthattheexcitementofearninglargeamountsofspendingmoneymakesschoolseemlessrewardingandinteresting.Althoughmind-wanderingduringschoolischaracteristicofyoungadults,workingstudentsreportsignificantlymoreofitthannon-workers.Indeed,therushfromearningandspendingmoneymaybesostrongthatstudentswhohaveahistoryofintensiveemployment,thosewho,forexample,havebeenworkinglonghourssincetheirsecondyear,areactuallyatgreaterriskthantheirclassmatesofdroppingoutbeforegraduating.
8Finally,workinglonghourscanbeassociatedwithincreasedalcoholanddruguse.Workingstudentsusedrugsandalcoholabout33%moreoftenthannon-workingstudents.Ourlong-termstudyshowsthatworkinglonghoursleadstoincreasedalcoholanddruguseforentertainmentandrecreationamongworkingstudents.Teenagerswithbetween$200and$300ofmonthlysurplusincomefrequentlyhavemoremoneytospendthantheirpeers,andoftentheybecomeaccustomedtospendingtheirearningsondrugsandalcohol.Accordingtoourstudy,alcoholanddruguse,inturn,maybelinkedtodisengagementfromschool,andtherefore,islikelytodepressschoolperformance.
9Tosummarize,conventionhaslongheldthatearlyemploymentbuildscharacter.Ourfindingsindicatethatformanystudents,working20hoursormoreaweekcancontributetodecreasedschoolperformanceandincreaseddrugandalcoholuse.Weknowthatthesefindingsmayseemcontroversialtomany.Toourownsurprise,ourfindingsmakeusquestionhowlongwehaveheldontotheconventionalassumptionsaboutthegreatvalueofworkinourformativeyears.It'stimetoabandonthisappealingmyth!Weconcludethatstudentsshouldresolvetoworknomorethan10hoursperweekiftheywanttobesuccessfulinschool.
1Asthecostofattendinguniversityhassoaredoverthelasttwodecades,afrankandvigorousdebateisemergingoverwhoshouldpayforthecostofhighereducation.Whileinsomecountriesstudentshavealwaysbeenexpectedtoabsorbpartorevenalloftheirtuitioncoststhroughworkorborrowing,inothercountriesthetremendouscostofattendinguniversityhasbeenprovidedbytherelevanteducationauthorityorbyparents.Iamproudtobeinthesmallminorityofstudentswho"earnastheylearn"andabsorbthecostoftheirownuniversityeducationinspiteofthemanyobstacles.
2Asfortheremainingmajority,Iaskmyself,"Isitme,orarestudentsthesedaysjustlazy"Collectively,theyclaimthattheyhavenocapacitytopayforcollege.Ithinkit'smoreamatterofthemsimplynotwantingtopayorcontribute.DuringcollegeIconsistentlyenduredcommentsfrompeerswithscholarshipsandloans,andpeerswhohadnewcarsandexpensiveapartments,whowouldaskme,eyesbulging,"Youmeanyourparentsdidn'thelpyouatall""Howdidyoupayfortuition"Myresponsewassimple:"Iworked."Theywouldlookatmeblankly,asthoughIhadtoldthemI'dgonetothemoon.
3Asanundergraduatestudent,Iworkedfortwosolidyearsasadaycareproviderearningminimumwage.ThenIpaidfortherestofmyeducationbyhelpingdeafchildrenandworkingasatutorinaprivateschool.Lookingback,I'mnotsurehowImanagedtocoverallthecostsofmyeducation.ButIdid.AndIboughteverysingletextbookandpencilmyselftoo.
4Sometimes,Ididfeelalittlesorryformyself,especiallywhenIcomparedmyselftowealthystudents.Ionceaskedanotherstudentifsheworked."Oh,no!"shesaid,startled,"Igotoschoolfull-time."Shewastakingonly13credithours,andyetwas"toobusy"towork.Shewentontoexplainthatherparentspaidforeverythingandprovidedherwitheverynecessity,andmanyluxuriestoo!
5Truthfully,IwasalittleenviousofhereasylifeasItook18credithourssothatIcouldgraduatewithinfouryears.Besides,Iwasworking25hoursaweeksoIcouldpaytuitionwithoutfutureloandebt.Andhere'ssomethingamazing:IpulledstraightA'sandwasatthetopofmyclass!
6OnedayIcaughtaglimpseofthatsamegirl'sreportcardattheendoftheterm.ShepulledC'sandafewB's,lowgrades,whichdidn'tsurpriseme.Havingtoworkhardandmultitaskforcesyoutoprioritize,askillshehadn'tlearned.
7Iamawarethatmyworkandstudychoicesarenotpopularandthatmanyinfluentialstudiesclaimtoillustratethatworkingwhilegoingtoschoolnegativelyimpactseducationalperformance.Theyciteincreaseddropoutrates,lowerscoresandreducedlifetimeearnings.Besides,thesestudiesalsogiveevidencethatmanystudentsexhaustmuchoftheirearningsnotonschool,butonentertainmentandpartyingwhileattendingschool.Thestudiesalsoshowincreasedabuseofalcoholanddrugs,whichleadsmetoquestionthesestudents'resolveandcommitmenttotheserioussideoflife.
8Forme,oneofthemostauthenticbenefitsofthe"earn-as-you-learn"approachisthat,upongraduation,Iwasfreefromthesubstantialstressandtensionofdebtpaymentsthatmakesomanypeopleworriedanduneasy.Relievedofthisconsiderableburden,IamconvincedthatIwillbeabletomakeintelligentcareerchoicesthatwillprovidemewithgreaterpersonalsatisfactionandensurebetterpayovertheyearstocome.
9Thecentralquestionsofthisdebateare:"Whatisthemajorpurposeofattendinguniversity"and"Whoshouldberesponsibleforthecost"Forme,theanswerhasalwaysbeenthatmypurposeistogetaformaleducationwithanadvanceddegreeandthattheresponsibilityismyown.Iunderstandthatsomewilldisagreewithmysingularapproachtoeducationalfunding.Butconsiderthis,thepathIhavechosenhasmassiveeducational,financial,andpsychologicalbenefits!
10Iamparticularlyproudthat,inchoosingthispathofself-support,Ihaverelievedmyparentsoftheburdenofmyuniversityeducation.Furthermore,bytakingcareofmyself,withouttheirassistance,Ihavegiventhemthesatisfactionofknowingthattheysuccessfullycompletedthetaskofraisingmeintoadulthood.
11Iwillreadilyconcedethatit'snotalwaysfun.It'snot!But,withacceptancethatyouwillpayyourownway,youwillgrowandmatureandlearnimportantskillsthatwillserveyouallyourlife.WanttoknowasuccessfulpathtoahappyandsustainablelifeConsiderjoiningtheranksofthoseofuswho"earnastheylearn"!
TextAWhenhonestydisappears
TextBRoysofhopeinrisingrudeness
1"Isanybodytrulyhonest"Asnumerousaccountsofcheating,lying,andfraudcrowdournewspaperpagesandTVnews,itseemsthathonestyisarapidlyvanishingvalue.Andthereportsindicatethat,aroundtheglobe,corruptionanddishonestyaresowidespreadthatthehealthandwell-beingofsocietyareatrisk.Thesereportsincludestoriessuchasthestudentswhofacedcriminalchargesforsellinginadvancecopiesofauniversityfinalexam,astudentwhowasexpelledwhenheturnedinatermpaperwiththepurchasereceiptforitstillinsidethepages,andaclerkwhoranhisownChristmascardsthroughtheofficepostagemeterandwasfoundoutwhenhesentoneofthecardstothecompanytreasurer!Wehaveallreadorheardaccountssuchasthese,nottomentionthestoriesofdishonestyamongstalllayersofsocietyasexemplifiedbyconsumerswhostealandpoliticianswhodemandbribes.Travelersrippedoffsomanytowelslastyearthatitcostamajorhotelchain$3milliontoreplacethem.Especiallytroublingarethereportsthatdishonestyisincreasingamongststudentpopulationsaroundtheworld.
2ButarethesereportstrulyaccurateordotheyexaggeratethesituationShouldwebealarmedbytheseaccountsoffallingstandardsofprinciplesandmoralityTheassumptionisthatstudentdishonestyismoreextensivenowthanitwas20,50,100yearsago.Ifso,what'sbehinditIfthisisindeedthecase,it'sdeeplytroublingastoday'sstudentsaretomorrow'sleaders!It'spossiblethatthedesiretocheatisnogreaterthaninthepast.However,thecriticalimportanceofhavingauniversitydegreemayhaveincreasedthepressuretocheatinacademicenvironments.Undoubtedly,moderntechnologyfacilitatesthemeansandopportunitiestocheat.Thedemandingtaskofwritingtermpapershasalwaysbeenasourceoftensenervesandfrustration,ifnottheultimatehomeworknightmare.Butnow,withInternetaccess,illegalresourcesarejustafewlinksaway.
3Modernstudentswhowanttofakeatermpaperdon'thavetobrowselong.Theyonlyhavetolocatetheappropriatewebsite,purchaseororderonlinepapers,orevendownloadthemforfree.Onewebserviceoffers"highestqualitypapersatthelowestpossibleprices",only$5.95perpage.Busy,cost-consciousstudentswillfindother"low-priced"termpapersonwebsitesthatpromiseconsumers"Youwillbehappyandsuccessful."SomepeopleworrythattheInternet,oncehailedastheultimatelearningtool,couldbecomethebestaidyetforcheating.
4Tocopewiththegrowingplagueofcheating,universitiesaroundtheworldnowuseanti-plagiarismsoftwareandhaveverystrictcheatingandplagiarismpolicies.Ifstudentsarecaughtplagiarizingorcheatinginanyway,theywillbeimmediatelyexpelledfromschool.Somecollegefacultydecidedtodomorethantalkaboutrisingstudentcheating.Professorsatamajoruniversitylaunchedacampaigntotrytoeliminateoneformofcheating.As409studentsfiledoutoftheirIntroductiontoPsychologyexam,theyfoundallbutoneexitblocked.TestmonitorsaskedeachstudenttoproduceanIDcardwithanattachedphoto.IftheyprovidedasatisfactoryID,theywerefine.IftheyhadlefttheirIDathome,theofficialsconfrontedthemandtooktheirpicture.Thepurposeofthecampaignwastorevealhiredcheaters,studentswhotaketestsforotherstudents.Themajorityofstudentsattheuniversityapplaudedthenewstrategy.
5Withawarenessofincreasingdishonestyintoday'ssociety,it'ssometimesimpliedthatin"thegoodolddays"peoplewerebetter,happier,andmorehonest.WeretheymorehonestMaybeyes,maybeno.Longago,allAmericanschoolchildrenknewthehistoricalstoryofhowAbrahamLincolnwalkedfivemilestoreturnapennyhehadoverchargedacustomer.It'sthekindofstorythatwethinkofasmyth.ButinthecaseofLincoln,thestoryistrue.
6LiketheLincolntale,everysocietyhasstoriesstressingtheabsolutevalueofhonesty.Itisthesestoriesthatstudentsneedtorememberwhentemptationinducesthemtocheat.Whetherdiscoveredornot,dishonestyhasanundesirableeffectonanyonewhopracticesit.Equallyimportantly,theilleffectsarenotconfinedtothedishonestpersonalone.Withouttrust,orderedsocietieswoulddescendintochaos.It'simportantthatwedowhatwesaywewilldo,paywhenwesaywewill,andcreatewordsthatareourown.Perhapsthemostimportantlessonourschoolscanteachisthatwemusttrusteachother.Whenhonestydisappears,theaffirmative,durablebondsoftrustareeliminatedandwealllose.Thefutureofoursocietydependsonmutualtrust.
1Rudenessisacommonelementofmodernlife."Ifyoudon'tlikeit,lumpit."Or"Mindyourownbusiness."Or"Getoutoftheway."Thiskindoftalkandattitudeiscroppingupmoreofteninpublicexperiences—onthehighways,intheaterlines,onpublictransport.Whetheritispeoplesmokinginpublic,orpeoplecuttinginline,theexamplesarealmostendless.
3WhatcanwedetectaboutsuchincidentsSomeexpertssaythetrendbegandecadesagowhenpeoplebecameresistanttotraditionalvaluesandmanners.Othersblamefast-pacedmodernlifestylesforcontributingtoasocietythathaslittletimetobepolite.Thisisparticularlytrueinbigcities,wherepeoplearesurroundedbystrangers.Asanotedpsychologisthasobserved,"Inasmalltown,thepersontowhomyouarerudeismorelikelytobesomeoneyouaregoingtoseeagaintomorrow."Inthecity,ifyouhaveaminorconflict,it'sveryunlikelyyouwilleverencounterthatpersonagain.
4Stressalsoplaysaroleinincidentsofignorantbehavior.CindyKludt,acounselorwhoworkswithoverworkednurses,saysrudenessinhospitalscorrespondswiththestressofpeopleconstantlyworkingunderlife-and-deathcircumstances."Ifpeopleatthetoparerudeoruncaring,rudenessmovesondownward,affectingeveryone'sbehavior."
5Rudenesscomeswithstressandthisisbecomingstrikinglycommon.Motoristsregularlyforcebicyclistsofftheroad,andlargetrucksintimidateautosmovingtooslowlyinfrontofthem.Disgracefulinsultsareshoutedandevenbottlesandtrasharethrownatroadcrewsbyupsetdriversbecauselanesarerestricted.
6Publicofficialsareoftenthetargetofpeople'sfrustration.Staffassistantsinpublicinstitutionstellofrude,hostile,andsometimesthreateningwordsfrompeoplewhofeelgovernmentagenciesarerudeormistreatingthem.Asrudenessinpublicdealingscutsbothways,citizensperceivethatpublicservantshabituallyignorethem,andtheyinturntreatthepublicservantsinanoffensivefashion.
7Sometimes,suchbehaviorgoesbeyondverbalabuse.Aworkerinarestaurantwasslappedandcursedbyacustomeraftershetoldhimnotablewouldbeavailablefortwohours.AmanintheUnitedStatesrecentlywondamagesforinjuriessufferedwhenhemadeacomplaintaboutawomanforusingbadlanguageinherloudconversation.Afterbeingtoldto"getlost",hewasbeatenwithanumbrellabythewomanandpunchedbyhercompanion.Utilitycrewsinbigcitiesreportincreasingviolencefrompeoplewhohavecomplaintsagainstthepowercompany."Ourrepaircrewshavearoughtimeinsomeapartmenthouseswherealotofpeoplelivewithrelativelylittlespace,"saysautilitycompanyexecutive."Thatmakesshorttempers,andangry,rudebehaviorshowsup."
8Thereisdisagreementastowhetherthesituationisimprovingornot.Manyseelittlehopeforadeclineintoday'srudebehavior.Infact,someseeanewpatternemerginginbigcities—the"normofnon-involvement"asonepsychologistcallsit.Othersarefeelingmorehopeful.Forexample,oneinternationalorganization,theRandomActsofKindnessFoundation,inspirespeopletopracticekindnessandtopassitontoothers!Theorganizationpointstoavarietyofindicatorsshowingkinderandmorecompassionatecitizens.Morepeoplearevolunteeringtheirtimeforcommunityprojects;also,donationsofgoodsandmoneytocharitieshaveincreased.Theseactsofkindnesswouldhaveapositiveeffectonothersandwouldhelptoreducethestressinsociety.Let'shopethisoptimisticviewprevailsandbringsabetter,brighterworldforusall.
TextAGendervariableinfriendship:Contradictionornot
TextBSimilaritiesanddifferences:Friendshipacrosscultures
1WhenIthinkofmygoodfriends,Iseethemincinematicterms.Thecameraworkisentirelydifferentformenandwomen.The"movie"memoriesIhaveoffemalefriendsareopenandintimate.Wearetalking,interestedineachotherinamagneticsortofway.Theylookstraightintomyeyes,sensitivetomyfeelings,listeningtomewithdeliberateattention.Incomparison,memoriesofmalefriendsareinanentirelydifferentfilmaltogether.Anactionoradventuremovie!Notmuchinthewayofdialog.Theritualofmotion,orthesequenceofaction,makesupforthedeficiencyofdialogandhonestnarrative.
2Mymindretreatsbacktomyearliestchildhoodfriend,Donald.IwasstilllivinginEuropeatthetime,andnearmyhousewasanoldGermantruckleftabandonedafterthewar.Nowheels.Nowindshield.Nodoors.Butthesteeringwheelwasintact.DonaldandIcontinuously"flew"toAmericainthattruck,our"airplane".Evennow,Irememberourdailyritualasweflewalong,acrossEurope,acrosstheAtlantic,onamissionofmercy.Wewereinnocentandinseparable,thedeepsecuritythatcomesbetweenbestfriends.Naturally,notonewordofourevidentfeelingsforoneanotherwaseveruttered;itwasalldoneinactions.
3Eachday,aswewereflyingovertheAtlantic,thereinevitablycamethatwonderfulmoment:"Enginefailure!"I'dshoutintothemicrophone,"We'llhavetojumpout.""A-a-a-a-a-!"Donaldmadesoundslikeafailingengine.Glancingatme,he'dsay,"Ican'tswim!""Fearnot!I'lldragyoutoshore,"I'dbravelyreply.And,withthat,we'dbothspilloutofthetruckontothedustystreet.Iswamthroughthedust.Donalddrownedinthedust,coughing,"Sharks!"hecried.ButIalwayssavedhim.Thenextday,changingroles,theelaboratedramawouldrepeat."Ican'tswim!"I'dsayandDonaldwouldsaveme.Wesavedeachotherfromcertaindeathhundredsoftimes,untilfinallyadaycamewhenmyfamilyreallydidleaveforAmerica.DonaldandIstoodrigidatthetrainstationreadytosayfarewell.Wedidn'tknowwhattosay;wecouldn'tsaveeachotherthistime.So,wejustcriedsilentlyasthetrainpulledaway.
4Thesedays,Jessicaisoneofmybestfriends.Arecentoccurrencemademereexamineandinterpretmybehaviorinanewlight.WewereswimmingatabeachintheAtlantic.TheveryAtlanticIhad"flown"overinmyGermantruckwithDonald.Wewerefarfromshorewhenweabruptlyturnedback.Weboththoughtwedetectedashark!Waterisnotonlyagoodconductorofelectricitybutofpanicaswell.Webegansplashinglikecrazypeopletowardtheshore.Inmypanic,IsuddenlyrealizedhowmuchIlovedmyfriendJessica,andwhatanirreplaceablefriendshewas.AlthoughIwasthefasterswimmer,Ifellbacktoprotecther.Intheend,the"shark"provedtobeimaginary.Butnotmydeepemotionalfeelingsformyfriend.Itfeltgreatbackonthebeach,alittlescaredandlaughingwiththeexcitementofbeingalive.Welookedintoeachother'seyesandJessicaspontaneouslysaid,"Iloveyou!""Loveyoutoo!"Ireplied.
5AsIspoke,Irealizedjusthowgender-basedmycommunicationstyleswere.Withwomen,Icouldbeopen,emotionallyhonest,andtransparent.Withmalefriends,itseemedimpossibletoexpresscaringfeelingsnomatterhowdeepthefriendshipwas.Icouldeasilyutter"Iloveyou"tomymother,mysistersandgirlfriends;yetnotonceinmylifehadIbeenabletolookamalefriendintheeyeandsaythesamething.Quiteimpossible!WasthisjustmeorwaseverymaleintheworldsimilarlycursedWasIemotionallybackwardorjusta"guy"Iwasdeterminedtofindout!
6Muchtomyrelief,researchshowsthatIam,indeed,a"normalguy".Itseemsthatmenandwomenhaveverydifferentemotionalandrationalprocesses.Partofitis"nature"andpartis"nurture".Wearebornwithverydifferentgenetictendencieswhichsocietyencouragesaseither"masculine"or"feminine".ThesedifferencesinbehaviorandcommunicationstylesweremadefamousbyJohnGrayinhisbookMenArefromMars,WomenArefromVenus.Thisbookandotherarticleshelpedmerealizeit'sOKIamthewaythatIam.Mendotendtobemorerestrainedwithemotionalexpressions.IlearnedthatIdidloveallmyfriends—onlythemeansofexpressiondiffersfromonegendertotheother.Whatarelief!