In classes, your teachers will talk about the topics that you are studying. The information they provide will be important for you to know when you take tests. So you must be able to take good written notes from what your teachers say.

Here are three stages (阶段）of taking notes and what you should do during each stage.

Before class

Review your notes you have taken before you come to class. This will be good for remembering what was covered. Get you ready to understand new information your teacher will provide.

During class

Keep your attention on what your teacher is saying and “the signal words” that tell you what your teacher is going to say and it is important to write in your notes. Examples of signal words are “The most important point.”and “Remember that...” Be sure to include in your notes information that your teacher repeats or writes on the blackboard. Write quickly so that you can include all the important information in your notes. Do this by writing abbreviations such as med for medicine, using symbols such as % for percent, and writing short sentences.

After class

Rewrite your notes to make them more complete and accurate（准确的）by changing abbreviations into whole words, symbols into words, and shortened sentences into longer sentences. Use them to answer your questions. If necessary, ask your teacher for help.

3 . I am Tony. I am happy to tell you my school and my life. Every day my father drives me to school. It takes us fifteen minutes to go to school. My school is big and beautiful. I like my school very much. The desks and chairs are new. There are lots of pictures on the walls. You can also see some flowers on the teachers’ desk. We clean the classroom every day.

I don’t go to school on Saturday and Sunday. I get up at six on Saturday. I play basketball with my father in the park near my home for half an hour. Then I eat my breakfast. I help my mother water the trees and flowers in the garden. At eight I begin to do my homework. My parents and I have lunch in the KFC. In the afternoon, I have Art lessons. Sometimes I chat with my friends on the Internet in the evening.

4 . The popularity of tea has risen around the world. It is said that tea was first found about 5, 000 years ago. Tea plants are commonly found in East and South Asia. In many of these countries, tea has been known to have a medical purpose and different types of tea have different health benefits. In recent years, the knowledge of these health benefits has spread to the Western world. One of the tea that has gained popularity in the West is green tea, which certain studies have suggested it can help to reduce blood pressure and control weight.

Cultures with a long tradition of tea drinking have even turned into an art of form. The tea pot is just as important as the tea itself. Some cultures recommend the drinking of clear tea, meaning just the tea itself without anything added. In other cultures, the tea drink has been added other things, including sugar, different types of milk and herbs（香草）. The pack of tea into bags has made the drink more convenient, it has raised its popularity to new heights.

5 . Do you know how to play a game called “Musical Chairs”? It is easy to play the game. Most children enjoy it. You need some benches (板凳), some persons and some ways of making music. You may use a piano or any other musical instruments if you want to play it. You may use a music player, too, such as MP3 player or recorder.

Put the benches in a row. The benches may be put in twos, back to back. A better way is to have the benches in row with each bench facing in the opposite direction (相反的方向) to the bench next to it.

The game is easy. When the music starts, you can walk round the benches. Everyone goes in the same direction. If the music is fast, you should walk quickly. If the music is slow, you should walk slowly.

The person playing music can not see the people in the game. When the music stops, one of you tries to sit in the benches. If you can not find a bench to sit in, you have to drop out (退出). Then, before the music starts again, you must take one bench away. When the music stops again, one more actor will be out.

At last, there will be two players and one bench. When the music stops, if you sit in the bench, you are the winner (获胜者).

6 . You must hear about earthquakes, but do you know what to do before, during and after an earthquake? Here are some ideas for you:

Before an earthquake. It’s important to prepare yourself and your family. All family should know how to shut (关闭) gas, water and electricity and remember some useful telephone numbers.

During an earthquake. It’s important to stay calm. If you’re indoors, quickly move to a safe place, such as under a strong desk or strong table. It can protect yourself from falling things.

If you’re outdoors, move to an open area like a playground, not near buildings, bridges and trees. If you’re driving, stop the car as soon as possible and stay in your car.

After an earthquake. Once the shaking stops, don’t run out of the building at once. It’s better to leave when it’s safe. Check around you and help the people in trouble. If your building is badly broken, you should leave it.

7 . When we say someone is in a blue mood. It means he or she is unhappy or sad. Are you feeling a little blue? Here are some fast and easy ways to cheer you up.

Do exercise.

When you exercise, your brain gives out a chemical called Endorphins(内啡肽). This chemical makes you feel happy. That is why exercise is good for you.

Have a talk.

If something or somebody is troubling you, don't quarrel(争吵) with other people to relax yourself. It is a good idea to have a heart-to-heart talk with a friend or a family member. Tell them your feelings. A chat is a useful way to make you feel better.

Have some hobbies.

For example, playing pop music, drawing something or listening to your favorite music will make you smile. Act like an artist. Draw, paint or make something. Being active and creative makes you feel more satisfied and less nervous.

Laugh more

Laughing is the best way to improve your moods. Children laugh about 400 times a day. Adults only laugh about 20 times a day. What happens? Experts say if we laugh more, we will be happier and healthier.

Think positively.

Close your eyes and imagine a beautiful scene or a time. Never think about anything terrible that you can't change. What's more, leave your flat and go outside. Sunshine and fresh air are good for you. Be a kid for a day. Play games, watch comedy movies or read jokes online.

8 . Do you want to be a good student? If you do, here are some ideas.

First, take notes in the class. If you can't follow your teacher, put up your hand and ask questions. You'll learn a lot by asking. Don't copy notes or talk to friends in class.

Second, do your homework carefully. Homework can help you review（复习）your lessons. You can find some questions when you are doing your homework. This is also an important part of your study. Remember that homework can also help you have a good habit of study.                                                         

Third, make good plans. Take all the things you need with you to class, such as books, pens, pencils and homework. Have a folder（文件夹）for each subject. Put your maths papers in your maths folder, and put your history papers in your history folder.

Last, start to read more. It is not bad. You can learn more words by reading.

9 . Nowadays, many people in China and Japan are racing against time. They put a lot of value in “being on time”. However, in some countries of the world, people have different opinions on “being on time”.

Germany

Thanks to its industrial past, in Germany you are expected to arrive at least ten minutes earlier for any planned meeting.

In Germany, being on time is risky enough because your hosts will probably already be there waiting, wondering how on earth you could be so stupid. What will you do if anything unexpected happens, like heavy traffic or a sudden rain? So remember to arrive early in Germany.

Saudi Arabia

Some countries care little about time and Saudi Arabia is one of them. It’s because of their long history of desert living where time is not the first thing to think about. It could be that it’s too hot to do anything on time. So don’t expect them to be on time. Moreover, looking at your watch during an event is even considered as bad manners. So don’t get angry with them, either.

Ghana

Most meeting times can be changed, even if an exact time is given, Ghanaians are very relaxed and easygoing. They think that if everyone is late, then no one is late. After all, what can’t be done today can get done tomorrow. If you find it difficult to deal with, prepare to be unhappy. Otherwise, sit back enjoy the ride. Refuse and ignore it.

Russia

Patience is considered a very important quality in Russian culture but being on time is not. When doing business in Russia, do be on time. Otherwise, it will be considered disrespectful. But Russians won’t hold themselves to the same standard. So, again, patience can be key.

10 . Panda is the name of an Asian animal. A panda is a large, black and white bear-like animal. It belongs to bear family. It lives in bamboo forests on upper mountain slopes（斜坡） of south-western China.

The giant panda has a white body with black legs and a broad band across the shoulders. It has a large round head, small black ears and a white face with a black patch（斑） around each eye. The panda grows from 1 meter to 1.5 meters tall and has a short tail. Most weigh from 90 to 136 kilos. Giant pandas are like bears in shape and size in the slow clumsy（笨拙） they walk. Like bears they can stand up on their hind legs. The female gives birth to one or two baby pandas once a year.

A giant panda eats mainly bamboo shoots. Though it eats other plants as well. A giant panda may eat as much as 9 kilos of food a day.