【推荐1】We all have found memories of taking a few lazy months off after the stress of A-levels. As we draw to the end of an academically and socially packed year, the idea of doing the same again is appealing.

But after graduation, there’ll be few occasions when we can enjoy such extended holidays, free to do as we wish. So now that summer has arrived, let’s take full advantage. It goes without saying that summer vacations are the perfect time to go traveling, especially if you avoid the pricey school holiday period.

Tickets go up greatly when you turn 26, so make the most of cheaper rates while you’re eligible. Finding a reliable company that won’t cheat you is extremely important, as is discovering a program that appeals to your own interests. There are plenty of websites where you can see other people’s recommendations.

Of course for most of us, money is tight—but to avoid overspending you can combine employment and adventure. Hannah Warn, a psychology student at the University of Winchester, is spending her summer at Camp America, an increasingly popular venture where British students enjoy a good time on a summer camp.

“Being thrown into something where I don’t really know what to expect is exciting.” she says.“It gives me a chance to experience being away from home in a different way.”

Those with a talent for languages might also consider working abroad as an au pair. The work may be challenging, but it’s a chance to involve yourself in a new culture while your employer pays most of the bill.

If you have an idea about the sort of career you’d like, getting work experience is wise. In many careers, graduating with only your degree to show for your three or four years just won’t make it. Send applications off early and to as many places as possible. Make sure you take a well-earned break this summer.

【推荐2】Summer Schools

As the UK’s top ranked summer schools, these schools will deliver an outstanding summer experience in a multi-national, fun, and secure setting.

Oxford Summer School

Oxford Summer School enables students to live and study in an Oxford University College during the summer. The summer program is designed to give students a chance to study at university, meet other students from around the world and explore the famous city of Oxford.

Ages: 15-17

Dates: 15 July-30 August

Cambridge Summer School

Join us to live and study in the noted university city of Cambridge. Explore the city that shaped some of the world’s famous minds, including Sir Isaac Newton and Sylvia Plath. Follow in their footsteps as you experience your chosen subject through a series of lectures and workshops.

Ages: 15-17

Dates: 20 July-28 August

Earlscliffe Summer School

Earlscliffe Summer School is ideally located for both access to London and to a variety of local attractions. The campus is formed of seven Victorian and Edwardian buildings, all recently renovated (翻新) to provide high-quality teaching and residential facilities.

Ages: 13-17

Dates: 20 June-31 July

Rochester College Summer School

Rochester Independent College, one of the UK’s most well-established independent colleges, is proud to offer a range of distinctive summer courses. We are offering four different courses in very small classes where international visitors will study and socialize alongside local students.

Ages: 13-17

Dates: 25 June-28 July

【推荐3】Writing an article for your school newspaper can be exciting and rewarding, especially when you proudly see your name in print.

Decide on a topic.     1    . If you plan to write a news article for a monthly newspaper, you will need to take into consideration whether the topic will be relevant before printing. To get ideas for stories, listen to your fellow students and find out what has them talking. Follow developments within your school and community to get information on what would interest your readers.

Do your research. There is an old saying in law that a good lawyer never asks a question that they don’t know the answer to.    2    . To sum up, the more, the better.

Attract the readers with a lead. As the beginning of a newspaper story, a lead has to be direct, but it does not mean you don’t need to entertain the reader as well.    3    . Your lead must be short, but it must also state as many of the essential parts of you story as possible.

Consider the 5Ws and H. These are the meat and potatoes of your news articles. You article must answer all of these questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. Once you have answered these things, you can feel confident.    4    .

Write, edit, rewrite and repeat as necessary. So, much about having a successful final product is about being willing to spend time and effort in editing and reviewing process.    5    . After that, make changes as a result. Having taken some useful suggestions, you are to make your article readable not only for their content, but also for their quality.

【推荐3】“Children, tomorrow I shall expect all of you to write compositions,” said a teacher of Love Lane School. “Then, on Friday those who have done the best may stand up and read their compositions to the school.” Some of the children were pleased, and some were not. “What shall we write about?” they asked.

Some of them thought that “Home” was a good subject. Others liked “School”. One little boy chose “The Horse”. A little girl said she would write about “Summer”. The next day, every pupil except Henry Longfellow had written a composition.

“Well, then,” said the teacher, “you may take your notebook and go out behind the schoolhouse for half an hour. Think of something to write about, and write the word on your notebook. Then try to tell what it is, what it is like, what it is good for, and what is done with it. That is the way to write a composition.”

Henry took his notebook and went out. Just behind the schoolhouse was Mr. Finney’s barn. Quite close to the barn was a garden. And in the garden, Henry saw a turnip (萝卜).

“Well, I know what that is, ” he said to himself and he wrote the word turnip on his notebook. Then he tried to tell what it was like, what it was good for, and what was done with it.

Within half an hour, he had written a very neat composition on his notebook. He then went into the house, and waited while the teacher read it.

The teacher was surprised and pleased. He said, “Henry Longfellow, you have done very well. Today you may stand up before the school and read what you have written about the turnip.”

Many years after that, some funny little poems about Mr. Finney’s turnip were printed in a newspaper. Some people said that they were what Henry Longfellow wrote on his notebook that day at school.