6 . School days mean homework, studying, exams, and social interactions — not to mention getting up early every morning. It’s understandable if you don’t always feel your happiest going to school during the week, but it’s also something you can totally improve! Follow the tips on this list to feel happier on school days.     1    

Focus on the good things about school. A little positive thinking can go a long way towards improving your mood.     2    If you’re having a bad day, tell yourself that you only have to be in school for a relatively short period of your life. After that, the sky is the limit!

    3    Making other people smile can improve your own happiness. Give another student some positive encouragement. Or, thank a teacher for a fun activity or an interesting lesson. If you see someone else that looks like they might be feeling down, tell them you like their hair style or praise the work they have done.

Try not to take negativity from others too hard.     4     Try to remember that nobody is perfect and think about what might be going on in their lives that makes them act negatively towards you. Try your best to sweep away a dirty look or a bad comment and move on with your day not getting angry and upset.

See a school counselor if you feel really unhappy. The job of your school counselor is to help make your experience better. Stop by their office and ask to talk if you can’t keep up with school work or if you feel like you’re being bullied by other students. School counselors have access to all kinds of resources to help you out.    5    

9 . During your school years, you will face many challenges. Sometimes you may not have all the solutions and need help. At this time, peer tutoring (同伴指导) is one of the most helpful tools. Peer tutors are understanding, helpful and especially honest.     1    

This will probably be the most uncomfortable part, but peer tutors simply want you to be the best to your best ability.     2     They tell the truth about you, which may put you in an awkward position. But you have to learn to accept you’re not perfect and will make mistakes. You should feel fortunate that your peer tutor is recognizing your mistakes and giving you a chance to repair them.

Every tutor has a different learning and teaching style. If a tutor teaches you how to solve a math problem in a way that makes sense to you, but is also different from what you have learned in class, you will have to use that method because it works for you. If a tutor revises your paper and gives you advice, you will find your work in the future to change completely. Change is good. It is by no means something to be afraid of.

Since we are human, it’s not unusual for us to be lazy sometimes.     4     However, if a tutor notices that you have been inactive, don’t be surprised if they call you out on it. Your tutor wants you to do the great things that you are capable of.

Last but not least, expect to improve. Peer tutoring can be difficult, but finally the goal is for you to improve as a student in various areas. Once you practice peer tutoring at school, you will notice a great change in your grades and your learning ability.     5    

10 . Many people get nervous before taking a test. Some of them are so consumed by anxiety that they actually defeat themselves, performing poorly in the exam even when they know the material they are being tested on. But there are ways to help calm your nerves and be prepared.     1    

Use materials to get used to the test’s structure and guidelines. Look up the available instructions on taking computer- and paper-based tests for each exam.     2     Instead, it is a better idea to have a long-term study plan. Try to make a timetable for your study which lasts for a few months.

Examples of actual questions and previously used topics are often available, as well as sample tests. Use these to get as much practice as you can before taking the real exam.

Practice taking the test —— even if you’re taking it at home. Allow yourself only the time given for the actual test. Practice working through sections as quickly and effectively as possible, identifying and focusing on areas where you need to improve.

The more you know about a test and how it is scored, the more efficiently you can deal with it. With the development of technology, you have access to so many extra resources that are designed to help you get the most out of your studies. You can explore everything from the websites and online learning tools.     4    

This one is critical.     5     Don’t worry if you don’t know an answer —— concentrate on each question and do the best you can, but don’t spend too much time on any one item either. Be aware of your time, making sure you have enough to answer every question. If you have extra time at the end, then you can go back to check your answers.