1 . “What do you mean by this phrase? It’s incorrect and adds nothing to the sentence. Omit (省略).” Professor Jones’s critical feedback on my paper hurt me when I first read it. I scanned his comments for a “Good job!” or “I love this idea,” but they were nowhere to be found.

Everyone likes warmth and encouragement, but purely positive affirmations (肯定) don’t communicate what can be improved. Research conducted on Character Lab Research Network finds that direct, useful feedback requiring students to revise their own work is more effective. For Professor Jones, this looked like a note at the end of another paper: “I’m sure things will improve as the term and year wear on.” However, feedback that does the work for a student—correcting a misspelled word, rewriting a sentence—can signal a teacher’s low expectations.

When kids see comments that suggest what needs to be changed, they come to realize they can do things on their own and become more independent learners. As a bonus, this kind of feedback lets students know that their teacher believes in them.

As for me, I was benedictory for Professor Jones’s pointed criticism which let me know that he took me seriously. He was expecting me to do better, and the detailed comments scrawled (潦草地写) on every page gave me the tools to improve. Teachers can add affirmations to their feedback as long as it’s not the only thing they’re doing.

Don’t confuse warmth with promoting a growth mindset. Being nice isn’t the same as showing someone you believe they can improve. So give detailed feedback that sets young people up to take charge of their own learning. For example, instead of rewriting a sentence, say: “This is a run-on sentence. Try reading it out loud and add punctuation in places where you naturally take a breath.” Ask worth-exploring questions that inspire students to think about their approach, then let them revise on their own. When it comes to writing, the easiest path isn’t always the best one.

2 . The award-winning documentary “Feeding Tomorrow” explores the American food system’s shortcomings and the urgent need for change. Directed by Oliver and Simon English, the film dives deep into the complex web of issues surrounding food, climate change, and agriculture, leaving viewers with a clear realization of the challenges ahead.

At its core, “Feeding Tomorrow” raises fundamental questions about humanity’s relationship with the planet and the consequences of our consumption patterns. As the global population reaches up to 10 billion, the film shows the serious reality that our current methods of food production are unsustainable. With agriculture already occupying half of the habitable land and consuming 70% of freshwater resources, the harm on the environment is reaching critical levels.

The documentary reveals the interconnectedness of food, climate, and health, weaving together narratives from diverse voices in the fields of farming, health, and education. Through the stories of innovators like Mark Shepard, Clare Fox, and Lisa McDowell, “Feeding Tomorrow” highlights the urgent need for systemic change.

One of the central themes of the documentary is the importance of regenerative farming practices. By promoting biodiversity and topsoil growth, regenerative agriculture offers a promising path towards sustainability. The film emphasizes the need to transition from conventional, monoculture (单一) farming to more overall approaches.

Moreover, “Feeding Tomorrow” shows the significance of adopting plant-forward diets and reducing meat consumption. With animal agriculture being a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation (恶化), the documentary advocates for a shift towards more sustainable dietary habits.

Ultimately, “Feeding Tomorrow” serves as a cry for collective action and social change. It challenges viewers to reevaluate their relationship with food and embrace sustainable practices that benefit both people and the planet. The documentary reminds us that the power to shape a better future lies in our hands. In the words of Mark Shepard, “What are you going to eat for dinner tonight? Start asking the questions.”

5 . If you have a big test coming up or want to do well in class, studying is one of the best things you can do. Here are some tips on forming the best study habits so you can do your best in class.

Study in 1-hour blocks.     1     Set aside an hour for each of your subjects so you have time to review them completely. During each block, only focus on 1 subject at a time so you don’t get information mixed up between classes.

Plan regular breaks. Since studying takes up a lot of energy and brain power, it’s a good idea to schedule 5-10 minutes of relaxation every hour.     2     Listen to music, take a walk, or go get a snack to give yourself some space from your schoolwork.

    3     Working with your classmates can help keep you motivated (有动力). Ask other students that you’re in class with if they want to review with you. Try quizzing (测验) each other on concepts (概念).     4     Try teaching other people in your study group the concepts you’re learning. That way, you’ll be able to learn easier and more effectively.

Rewrite your notes in your own words. Organizing your notes helps you remember information a lot easier.     5     Rewrite them on a separate page so all of the similar information is organized and easy to read.

7 . Getting the best deal

Bargaining is a difficult process. The buyer wants to purchase a product at its minimum price while the seller wants to maximize the potential for profit.     1    , and thus it is in the best interest of buyers to strategize exactly how they will convince sellers to lower their prices.

First, buyers should assume that the price tag represents the starting point of negotiations, not the final word on the matter. Buyers should begin by asking the salesperson whether any sales or discounts will soon be advertised.     2    , the salesperson probably will not volunteer to give one to them. Salespeople often work on commission, so it is frequently to their advantage to hide this information from their customers.

Second, buyers need to find out whether the seller has lowered prices in the past and, if SO, by how much.     3    , he or she can request a similar price. This step in the bargaining 2 process requires perseverance, but it can pay off financially. Also, it is important that buyers never let sellers know that they need their products because the seller is then less likely to lower the price.

Finally, buyers must be patient     4    , as buyers must collect a good deal of information about the product. Sometimes buyers might need to purchase a product at a more expensive price sim ply because they do not have the time necessary to shop further. The buyer’s time is important, too, and sometimes it is worth spending extra money if he or she needs the item immediately. However, sometimes simply by waiting for two weeks or two months, the buyer will save a considerable amount of money.     5    .

8 . As warm blood spattered all over us, I screamed… actually it was water, but that didn’t stop me being so scared that my heart was nearly beating out of my chest. My friend had persuaded me onto the Hotel Psycho ride at the Prater Amusement Park, I’m unwilling to experience any fear, but I decided to do it anyway. I came off the ride shaking but excited.

Apparently Eleanor Roosevelt didn’t actually say “do one thing that scares you every day”, as is often thought, but nevertheless it’s a great rule to follow. You don’t need to go on a fairground ride or jump out of a plane, but it is a good idea to push yourself out of your comfort zone regularly.

The human brain, particularly the amygdale (杏仁核), is designed to keep you safe. This sounds like a good thing, and obviously, sometimes it is. However, the fact that the amygdala is always on the lookout for danger means that it will prioritize protecting you over almost anything else: learning something new, experiencing something amazing, getting a great opportunity and meeting other people. The amygdala would really just like you to stay put in a nice safe dark cave.

The more you listen to its urgings to avoid all risks, the narrower and darker your life will become. There is plenty of evidence that the most effective way to deal with our fears and anxieties is exposing ourselves to what we fear. You can start off with small steps, but the more you confront (面对) your fears, the smaller they become: whereas the more you allow your fears to prevent you from doing things, the bigger those fears seem to be.

For this reason, it is important to stretch yourself and keep all those possibilities open. You need to take risks and do things that petrify you, so that you know just what you’re capable of. Sometimes those risks won’t work out, but that’s fine, as long as you can learn from the experience, and get ready for the next adventure.