If you have spent any time reading blogs or papers on teaching strategies in the past few years, you have probably noticed a strong backlash against rote memory(机械记忆), in favor of constructivist (建构主义的)activities and“project-based learning”.

The actual memorizing of facts, many agree, is an outdated educational practice, since anyone could search information on the Internet nowadays. They think that schools should focus constructivist activities on getting skills and knowledge.

However, learning by rote memory is more important than you think. There are many cases in which having knowledge immediately at the tip of your tongue can have great social and professional value. For example, last night at a networking event, when I casually asked a Nigerian businessman how much of his business was conducted in English against in his native Yoruba, he immediately became more engaged in our conversation. It was a simple fact that speaking Yoruba in Nigeria seemed to increase my social trust, and therefore our relationship.

The same goes for professional settings. If I am a medicine salesman talking to a doctor about a specific digestion drug, and he asks if it has any effect on the process of peristalsis(肠蠕动), it will look quite unprofessional if I have to pull out my medical dictionary to look up the word. Those facts need to be remembered in my brain so I can access them immediately!

Most situations need more personalized learning. Of course, most constructivist educators will argue that real-life simulations, on-the-job training, and project-based learning are more effective at learning new concepts than rote memory. The problem is that no single cost-effective constructivist activity will guarantee that you will be exposed to all the concepts you need or that you will fully remember the facts that you are exposed to. If you actually want to acquire a full range of knowledge about a given topic, the most guaranteed and efficient way to do so is to study by rote memory and practice time and again.

How to Deal With Stress

Have you ever felt stressed? 【小题1】 Since stress is a part of life, it is essential to learn how to deal with it. Here are some strategies for dealing with stress and pressure.

Most of the time, stress is a result of feeling overwhelmed. 【小题2】 For example, you could keep a daily organizer and plan your activities. Focus on things that are really important. Do not get caught up in minor issues that only create additional work for you. Break tasks down into manageable bits and tackle them one by one or step by step. Proper planning also helps you avoid the stress of doing things at the eleventh hour.

【小题3】 Doing things that you like such as listening to music, taking a walk, or reading a book can take your mind off things that bother you. Even doing nothing at all can be beneficial. After a short break, you will feel refreshed and more able to tackle a problem or a piece of work.

Finally, do not set such high standards for yourself and others that it leads to dissatisfaction and pressure.

【小题4】 Learn to slow down, let go and look at the positive side of things. If you are too uptight about something, you will not be able to think clearly and make good decisions. In addition, you could hurt the people around you.【小题5】 Then, negative stressful feelings will disappear.

Nowadays，with the development of economy and rise of the level of people's living，more and more people have access to delicate gifts for each other. 【小题1】Wrapping（包装）paper waste has been on the rise. Try these suggestions for cutting down the amount of wrapping paper you throw away.

Reuse what you have.

Wrapping paper has such a brief life span（跨度）that it can be reused many times. 【小题2】It's estimated that the US produces 4. 6 million pounds of wrapping paper annually，and 2. 3 million pounds of that ends up in the trash. The remainder stays in people's homes，awaiting reuse.

Use different material.

Who says you have to choose bright wrapping paper to decorate a present?   Opt（选择）for basic brown paper that can be decorated beautifully with a bow，ribbons，leaves or markers. Repurpose newspaper，old posters，and children's school artwork as wrapping paper. 【小题3】

Ask for better paper.

Sellers stock what customers want，and recyclability should come first，so let that be known when you're out shopping. As explained by Simon Ellin， CEO of the Recycling Association，a trade body that represents about 90 waste management companies and paper merchants in the United Kingdom， “It's a battle we've been in all year--do you really need to design a non-paper wrapping paper? 【小题4】 Shop with that in mind，too. ”

【小题5】

Use baskets，fabric，gift boxes or bags，tea towels，and more to wrap your presents. Learn the Japanese art of furoshiki， using beautiful knots to fasten colorful，reusable fabrics in attractive ways. This way，you'll have no wrapping paper waste to contend with.