Unit 13 School Schedule
1.Listen,read and practice in pairs.
LiMeng and Daniel are discussing differences in the school schedules.
LiMeng:You know,in my school back in China.We finish school at about 5 o'clock.
But here it's so much earlier,only 3 o'clock or something.
Daniel:Oh yeah? Thats new to me.That must be a realk busy day.
LiMeng:It usually is.We have so many classes,from morning to late afternoon.
And so much homework too.
Daniel:I'm sure you're happy now to finish early and have less homework.
LiMeng:Yeah.In a way.But I've got a different problem now.
Daniel:Which is?
LiMeng:What to do with so much time?
Daniel:What to do?Lots of things you can do-read books from the library,
surf the net,or go out and play soccer.
LiMeng:I know.But I'm still a bit confused.
Daniel:problem with new-found freedom.
Can't believe this.I always run out of time.
LiMeng:Maybe I should be more active in our soccer team.
Training every day!What do you think?
Daniel:Well,Mr.Hudson loves hard-working guys.
4.Listen and practice in pairs.
LiMeng is in his room telling his sister all the things he is doing now.
Xiaohing:What've you been doing?You hardly talk to me now.
LiMeng:Sorry!I've got so many things packed into the whole day.
Xiaohong:What do you mean so many things?
School finishes early here and our workload is much less than it was in China.
LiMeng:That's exactly why I'm busy.
I've found so much fun doing things I like to do,you know,my soccer,
my computer,my games,oh,my music,too.
Xiaohong:You haven't mentioned your study yet.
LiMeng:I've finished everthing.
Xiaohong:But I hear students here
often have to complete big things they call"projects",
and these things can take an awful lot of time.
LiMeng:I think I've heard that too.I'll find out that that is tomorrow.
7.Listen and read.
Tim management
There is no mystery about managing time.
Everyone has 24 hours each day and 168 hours each week to eat,
sleep,work,relax,exercise,attend classes and study.
There is nothing magical about getting the most from these hours;
it just takes planning.
But time management does require self-discipline
and control until it becomes an everyday habit.
Plans and schedules for managing time are useless if one does not follow them.
The following are some of the highest quality personal time management skills.
These are essential skills for effective people:
1.You should set aside some time to study.
Time passes away quickly while you are playing.
2.You should make sure you concentrate as much time
and energy as possible on the right thing.
If you have many jobs in front of you,
try to do them one at a time and always do the most important job first.
3.If it's possible,you should study at the same time every day.
A fixed time will make it easier to follow the schedule.
4.You should make use of the free hours during the school day.
The free hours add up and they can be used to learn more things.
5.You should arrange arrnge your study time right after your course time.
This positioning can help you recall things more easily and learn them by heart.
However,don't work too hard without a rest.
Long periods of study may also kill your interest in your strdies.
Proper use of study time will enable us to enjoy what we have learned
and keep us learning for a long period.
11.Listen and practice in pairs.
LiMeng is talking with Mr.Jones,the school's student counsellor,about his schedule.
LiMeng:You know,Mr.Jones,I don't know what I should do now.
When I first came,I didn't have much to do'
but now,I've got too many things on my hands.
Mr.Jones:It's good to hear you're busy.I think what you need is a planner.
Mr.Jones:A planner?
Mr.Jones:Yes.It's like a timetable.
You first fill in all of your classes
and then decide what to do in those empty slots.
LiMeng:Like a likst of things?
Mr.Jones:Yes.A bit like that.
You first decide how many times you want to do what,say,play soccer once,
twice or three times a day,and then decide on which days you do it.
Write everything down in your planner and follow it every day.
LiMeng:What happens if I'm led by a "planner"?
Mr.Jones:You become a well-organized person.