1 . Communication is a problem for parents and children of all ages. If it’s hard for you to communicate with your parents, don’t worry about it. Here is some advice for you.

Don’t argue with your parents. Don’t try to talk about something with your parents when you are angry. Your parents probably won’t listen to you if you are shouting at them. Go somewhere else to cool off. Then think about what you want to say to your parents. If you think you can’t speak to them at the moment, try writing a letter to them.

Try to understand your parents. Your parents may think differently from you. Tell your parents what you think, what you care about and why. Perhaps you and your parents disagree on something. Put yourself in their shoes and you may find a better way out.

Michael’s mother didn’t agree with him about buying a motorcycle. They argued over it. But they finally came to an agreement. Michael bought the motorcycle, but only drove it on certain days.

It is also important to show your love to your parents. Try to do some small things at home, like making them a cup of tea, helping do some chores, and so on. It helps to keep your relationship closer. A good relationship with your parents can make you a better and happier person. It is worth having a try.

2 . Many students study by reading their notes and textbooks over and over again. But studies show there are more effective ways to help you study smarter.

    1     Many students know what they are expected to do. Yet many often fail to plan ahead. So they need first to set a reachable target. Break it into pieces and make them happen one by one. It may seem strange at first. But after two weeks or more, it becomes a normal thing.

Don’t just reread.     2     Rereading is like looking at the answer to a puzzle, rather than doing it yourself. It looks like it makes sense. But until you try it yourself, you don’t really know if you understand it.

Find examples. Abstract concepts can be hard to understand. It tends to be far easier to form a mental image if you have a concrete example of something.     3     On its own, that concept might be hard to remember. But if you think about a lemon or vinegar, it becomes easier!

Dig deeper. It’s hard to remember countless facts and figures if you don’t push further. Ask why things are a certain way. How did they come about? Why do they matter? Psychologists call this elaboration(深究). It’s taking class material and asking many how and why questions about it.     4    

Practice more. Musicians practice their instruments. Athletes practice sports skills.     5     In a study, students took practice tests over several weeks. On the final test, they scored more than a full letter grade better, on average, than did students who studied the way they normally had.

As a teen, Cynthia Nebel studied by reading her textbooks, worksheets and notebooks. “Over and over and over again,” recalls this psychologist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Now, she adds, “we know that’s one of the most common bad study skills that students have.”