【推荐1】As a student, you have a lot of freedom when it comes to how you spend your time. But with that freedom comes the responsibility to make the most of your studying hours. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

• Create a schedule

This means setting aside specific times for studying each day and then sticking to that schedule as closely as possible. Of course, there will be days when things come up, and you have to deviate from your plan.     1    .

• Break up your study sessions into smaller periods

Our brain can’t focus effectively for a longtime. If you try to study for several hours once, chances are much higher that you won’t remember all of the information you’re trying to learn.     2    .

• Find a study place that works for you

    3     Some people prefer to study in complete silence, while others find that some background noise helps them focus better. There is no right or wrong answer here — it’s all about finding a place to study that allows you to work as efficiently as possible.

•     4    

This will not only help you check your understanding of the concepts but also identify any area that may need more review. And once you know what specific topics or ideas you need to work on, it will be much easier for you to direct your study sessions accordingly and make better use of your time overall.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help

If you find that you’re struggling to understand the material or just not making progress as quickly as you’d like, seek assistance in time.     5    . In fact, it can save lots of time in the long run by getting you the support you need.

【推荐1】As an engineer, I have designed electronic control systems for more than 30 years, and I had expected to do so until I retired (退休). My wife, Krisztina Valter, is a scientist. One year, she went to a scientific activity with me. Most knowledge of biology went over my head, but one speaker attracted my attention. Jochen Zeil, a professor who studies animal behaviour, presented a model of how insects could work out a way to go to a target despite having small brains.

At lunchtime, my wife introduced us. Zeil and I had a very enjoyable discussion about his idea and biology. When we parted, I joked that if he wanted another PhD student, he could count me in. About a month later he e-mailed me: “Haven’t heard from you. Have you enrolled (登记入学) yet?”And that’s how, at the age of 53, I became a part-time doctoral student in biology.

My background in biology had been out of date for many years, so I needed to learn the basics fast. It was not easy, but I got a lot of help from other laboratory members and my wife. The more I learnt, the more I realized how little I knew. Every paper caused the need to read more. It was tiring, and at times disappointing, but brought a lot of fun. You read, think, and suddenly things fall into place.

Now, at the age of 61, this period is nearly at an end. New knowledge enriches (充实) you, regardless of how old you are. My advice is that if you have the opportunity to enter a new field, take it.

【推荐2】“You can use me as a last resort (选择), and if nobody else volunteers, then I will do it.” This was an actual reply from a parent after I put out a request for volunteers for my kids’ lacrosse (长曲棍球) club.

I guess that there’s probably some demanding work schedule, or social anxiety around stepping up to help for an unknown sport. She may just need a little persuading. So I try again and tug at the heartstrings. I mention the single parent with four kids running the show and I talk about the dad coaching a team that his kids aren’t even on … At this point the unwilling parent speaks up, “Alright. Yes, I’ll do it.”

I’m secretly relieved because I know there’s real power in sharing volunteer responsibilities among many. The unwilling parent organizes the meal schedule, sends out emails, and collects money for end-of-season gifts. Somewhere along the way, the same parent ends up becoming an invaluable member of the team. The coach is able to focus on the kids while the other parents are relieved to be off the hook for another season. Handing out sliced oranges to bloodthirsty kids can be as exciting as watching your own kid score a goal.

Still, most of us volunteers breathe a sigh of relief when the season comes to a close. That relief is coupled with a deep understanding of why the same people keep coming back for more: Connecting to the community (社区) as you freely give your time, money, skills, or services provides a real joy. Volunteering just feels so good.

In that sense, I’m pretty sure volunteering is more of a selfish act than I’d freely like to admit. However, if others benefit in the process, and I get some reward too, does it really matter where my motivation lies?

【推荐3】“They’re following me!” I thought to myself, as I watched the two young men on motorbikes slow down next to me as I drove. “Ignore them. They’ll go away.” I decided and turned my attention back to the road. As a woman living in a big city, such encounters were not new, but I was unusually disturbed by a strange sadness that day. I realized that whenever I stopped at a signal, the two bikers would also pause alongside, staring intently (热切地).

This continued through three traffic signals, leaving no room for doubt. I drove as fast as I could to stay ahead of them, but I couldn’t shake them off for the busy evening traffic. I finally reached home and released a sigh of relief until I realized that they had chased me all the way to my doorstep. Even scarier, they were now off the bike and at the gates, trying to talk to me.

Feeling safer on familiar ground, I turned back to tell them off. “Please don’t get us wrong,” one of them said, his tone low and concerned. “We saw you weeping inside your car and wanted to make sure you were okay.”

I realized in an instant what must have happened. The men had seen me breaking down in my car and followed me out of concern. I thanked them sincerely. My emotions got better at the time. I never saw them again. But even more than 10 years later, I still am struck by their selfless concern for a stranger and remember them with gratitude.