【推荐1】California is home to many private universities that offer first-rate educations with the experience of small-class settings. Many of these schools have splendid campuses and highly ranked, individual academic programs.

Stanford University

Stanford ranks as the fifth-best university in the nation, according to U.S. News &World Report as well as fourth-best private university according to Global Language Monitor and eighth according to Forbes. The school is known for its dedication to research in both the sciences and the humanities. Stanford takes much pride in an 18.7 billion dollars donated fund and 5,100 sponsored research projects.

University of the Pacific

Stockton-based University of the Pacific is home to many ranked programs.   The university itself is ranked 112th on U.S. News &World Report’s list of top universities in the nation, as well as fifth for ethnic (民族的) diversity. The undergraduate engineering programs are also in the top 20, according to 2011 rankings.

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California ranks 15th on Global Language Monitor’s list and 23rd on U.S. News &World Report’s list of top universities. USC has more international students than any other university in the United States. This school is renowned for its high academic achievements.

University of La Verne

The University of La Verne is a small, private school with a total undergraduate enrollment of only 2,449. Only 33 percent of students live on campus, and many classes contain less than 20 students, which is its main draw. This university is ranked 161st on U.S. News &World Report’s list of top universities in the nation.

【推荐2】Started in 1636 Harvard University is the oldest of all the many colleges and universities in the United States. Yale, Princeton, Columbia and Dartmouth were opened soon after Harvard.

In the early years, these schools were much alike. Only young men went to college. All the students studied the same subjects, and everyone learned Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Little was known about science then, and one kind of school could teach everything that was known about the world. When the students graduated, most of them became ministers or teachers.

In 1782, Harvard started a medical school for young men who wanted to become doctors. Later, lawyers could receive their training in Harvard’s law school. In 1825, besides Latin and Greek, Harvard began teaching modern languages, such as French and German. Soon it began to teaching American history.

As knowledge increased, Harvard and other colleges began to teach many new subjects. Students were allowed to choose the subjects that interested them.

Today, there are many different kinds of colleges and universities. Most of them are made up of smaller schools that deal with（涉及）special fields of learning. There’s so much to learn that one kind of school can’t offer in all.

【推荐3】Four Excellent American Universities Princeton University

Princeton University is a private institution founded in 1746. Located in Princeton, New Jersey, it offers various events, activities and organizations. Famous alumni include the 28th US President Woodrow Wilson and former first lady Michelle Obama.

Harvard University

Harvard University is a private institution founded in 1636. Located outside Boston in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is made up of more than 10 schools and institutes. Eight US presidents graduated from Harvard, including Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT is a private institution founded in 1861. Located outside Boston in Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT focuses on scientific and technological research. Famous alumni include Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Yale University

Yale University is a private institution founded in 1701. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, it is known for its excellent drama and music programs. Famous alumni include five US presidents and actress Meryl Streep.

【推荐2】Your house may have an effect on your figure. Experts say the way you design your home could play a role in whether you pack on the pounds or keep them off. You can make your environment work for you instead of against you. Here are some ways to turn your home into part of your diet plan.

Open the curtains and turn up the lights. Dark environments are more likely to encourage overeating, for people are often less self-conscious(难为情)when they’re in poorly lit places—and so more likely to eat lots of food. If your home doesn’t have enough window light, get more lamps and flood the place with brightness.

Mind the colors. Research suggests warm colors fuel our appetites. In one study, people who ate meals in a blue room consumed 33 percent less than those in a yellow or red room. Warm colors like yellow make food appear more appetizing, while cold colors make us feel less hungry. So when it’s time to repaint, go blue.

Don’t forget the clock—or the radio. People who eat slowly tend to consume about 70 fewer calories(卡路里)per meal than those who rush through their meals. Begin keeping track of the time, and try to make dinner last at least 30 minutes. And while you’re at it, actually sit down to eat. If you need some help slowing down, turn on relaxing music. It makes you less likely to rush through a meal.

Downsize the dishes. Big serving bowls and plates can easily make us fat. We eat about 22 percent more when using a 12-inch plate instead of a 10-inch plate. When we choose a large spoon over a smaller one, total intake(摄入)jumps by 14 percent. And we’ll pour about 30 percent more liquid into a short, wide glass than a tall, skinny glass.