1 . When you only have a balcony (阳台), it can be difficult to know what to grow.     1     And when space is limited, you don’t have room for experiments that go wrong. Now, I’ll show you how to take your balcony from bare to beautiful.

First and foremost, you need to choose the right plants. Dreams of 10m-tall magnolias (兰树) have to be set aside, but there are plenty of plants that will grow well in pots on a balcony. Some plants, like Busy Lizzies, are all great container plants.    2    

    3     If yours faces east or west, it’ll only get direct sun for part of the day. But don’t despair, many plants actually prefer shade. Lettuces and salad leaves are all best grown in partial shade to stop them running to seed too quickly.

Another challenge you may face is wind. Many balconies are windy and exposed.     4     Make sure pots and furniture are not going to get blown over the side, securing them in place if necessary. And choose plants that can adapt to a windy spot-such as those that naturally grow by the sea.

You don’t need a garden to grow your own vegetables at home. There are lots of eatable crops that you can grow in pots-tomatoes and some herbs are all ideal.     5    Try using a woven plastic shopping bag, or lining a wooden container with an old compost bag (肥袋).

2 . A paid internship (带薪实习) is a job often in your chosen field of work that offers a salary and is combined with training in your field. Paid internships are common for college students, who may work part-time during the school year and full-time during the vacation. The duration of the internship is not fixed.     1     Sometimes, it can last for a year or two as knowledge increases.

Certain fields may require that you obtain internship experience in advance before getting a license.     2     Students might seek out paid internships to increase their chances of getting hired in their chosen career. A few paid internships may be completely unrelated to jobs you might want to be in but are attractive because they’re fun or have flexible scheduling.

    3     They allow you to make some money while learning more about the jobs you might later apply for. In addition, engaging in a paid internship allows you to establish connections with professionals and peers within your industry. These networking opportunities can prove invaluable in the future.

Some work opportunities are known as partially paid internships. These typically offer a stipend (生活津贴) or a fixed and regular payment that is less than a standard salary. Stipends range greatly and may include housing as part of their offer.     4    

Paid internships have the potential to lead to permanent employment.     5     Because the transition from an intern to a full-time employee depends on several aspects, including the intern’s performance, organizational needs, and the availability of suitable positions.

3 . A few useful sketching (素描) tips can often generate rewarding results. If you are a beginner, you should find something useful from the tips below.

Know your pencils. Having the right pencil to begin drawing your pencil sketch is one of the most essential sketching tips. Pencils differ in lead (铅笔芯).     1    : “B” pencil s are softer, “H” are harder, and “HB” sits in the middle. It is recommended to start somewhere on the H scale as a foundation and then finish with the darker B scale.

    2    . If you position your hand closer to the end of the pencil, you have more control and precision, but darker markings. Gripping (握) further up the pencil will give you less control and precision, but lighter markings.

Vary your lines. Not all lines are equal. Small shifts in the width and darkness of your lines will create a dynamic drawing.     3    . However, with practice you will be able to create a variety of marks that work together to make an impressive image. Experiment with different pencil grades and with holding the pencil at different angles.

Apply the 70/30 rule in your sketching.     4    ! The 70/30 rule helps you create effective compositions. The idea is that 30 per cent of your sketch is filled with the main focus and detail, and the remaining 70 per cent is filler. This less interesting area helps direct attention towards the main subject of your artwork.

Try different mark-making methods. There are plenty of sketching tips and techniques to help you achieve different styles and effects.     5    .

6 . Swimming is one of the few exercises people can do to work all parts of their body.     1     However, swimming has many more benefits than those obvious advantages. Its improvements to overall health go much deeper. Here are four reasons for you to dive in!

Swimming can strengthen your lungs.

You might hear that lungs benefit from swimming most.     2     For this reason, swimming can increase lung volume and aid breathing technique. Plus, if you have asthma (哮喘), the pool provides an ideal exercise setting, as it’s humid and usually, a low dust environment.

Swimming may boost brain power.

Swimming has unique benefits in improving cognition (认知). In one study, participants who did a 20-minute swim responded faster on cognitive tests conducted immediately after their swim.     3    

Swimming may put you in a better mood.

All exercise can be a mood booster.     4     But a study published in the Journal of Psychology found that a 40-minute swimming improved mood even more than an aerobic dance of the same time. In the meantime, swimming can reduce stress, lower anxiety, and fight depression.

    5    

If the previous reasons aren’t enough to convince you of the benefits of swimming, perhaps this one will: It can keep you from early dying. According to a report conducted by Swim England, swimmers had a 28 percent lower risk of early death compared with those who don't swim.

9 . As a high school student, you’re likely used to learning through reading textbooks.     1     This lies at the heart of “experiential appreciation,” a philosophy that encourages you to engage directly with the world around you. It’s about learning from real-life experiences, and discovering a more profound and engaging way to learn.

To practice experiential appreciation, you can start by getting involved in hands-on activities related to your subjects. They will provide a firsthand understanding of the concepts you’re studying, making learning active and meaningful. So, try joining a sports team, picking up a paintbrush, or taking part in a local charity event.     2    

As you dive deeper, immerse (沉浸) yourself fully in the surroundings and activities. When you’re in nature, don’t just look around.     3     Touching the leaves, feeling the wind and listening to the birds can enrich your learning and make each moment more memorable.

    4     After trying something new, ask yourself what you learned and how it made you feel. Write in a journal or discuss it with friends. This self-discovery turns experiences into life lessons and offers a deeper understanding of the world.

Experiential appreciation transforms learning from a task to be completed into a journey to be treasured.     5     So, explore the world around you, let every experience shape you, and discover the endless possibilities that await. This is the core of true learning, where every moment is a step towards a richer, more enlightened life.

10 . Sharing is regarded as both a social morality and a personal virtue. It is a wonderful thing that increases pleasure and reduces sorrow. Then why do we tend to be happier when sharing with others?     1    

We have shared with others since the beginning of civilization and interaction. It is one of the primary ways we learn to communicate.    2     People from these cultures open up their homes to traveling visitors and those curious about learning their cultural practices. However, sharing doesn’t always need to be this grand gesture. Simple acts like exchanging compliments can also brighten up a person’s day and make them feel more positive.

    3     Oxytocin helps build trust, relieve stress and anxiety, improve immune (免疫的) function and benefit your overall wellbeing as a result. When people are in possession of generous levels of Oxytocin in their bodies, they are more empathetic (有同感的) towards others and feel more generous than they would in normal circumstances. You can gain Oxytocin even by making online donations. You need not have to physically share in person to experience the benefits of the hormone.

When you share your belongings with others, you are expressing trust in their ability to keep your possession safe and out of harm’s way. If your trust pays off in them, you experience a sense of happiness. We tend to be more emotionally satisfied and happy when we are able to build trust in our relationships. Trust and happiness are closely related experience.

Humans are social animals.    5     If we happen to have encouraging and supportive friends and family to rely on, we are less prone (倾向于) to anxiety and depression. However, if we tend to lack a reliable social support system in our lives, our happiness can suffer. Sharing helps build new relationships. Social interactions advance your health, wealth and general wellbeing.