School is tough enough as it is, but distance learning presents a whole new challenge. Many students struggle to focus on their homework when they study at home, as online courses call for self-discipline (自律). 【小题1】

Motivate (激励) yourself. Think about how traditional classroom settings motivate students to get their work done: deadlines written on a whiteboard,and group study sessions with classmates.【小题2】 Write down your deadlines and get in touch with your classmates to study together and quiz each other online.

【小题3】 You’re not the only one to struggle with online learning, so don’t be afraid to get in touch with your teacher and classmates with any questions you might have. Similarly, remember your teacher and classmates might reach out to you with questions as well. Respond to their messages in a timely manner to keep open lines of communication.

Find a good study spot. Houses are full of distractions (分散注意力的事物)—especially if you’re in no mood to study. Set yourself up for success by reducing these distractions and creating an environment where it is easy to do schoolwork. 【小题4】 Leave your phone in another room in order to avoid temptation (诱惑) from social media or online games.

Use what you have. One of the many benefits of online learning is having endless Internet resources. 【小题5】 Be familiar with study resources and open education sites, and then use them to add to your studies and quiz yourself before exams. Online classes might require more self-discipline than classroom learning, but that hard work will surely pay off.

There is often a very special bond between children and pets. 【小题1】 Research has even found that pets can be beneficial for childhood development and health by teaching responsibility, reducing the risk of allergies (过敏) and encouraging exercise. Dr. Katrina Warren shares her top tips for managing children and pets.

【小题2】 If you can’t supervise (监督) then be sure to separate them. Never leave a young child unsupervised with any pet, even when it’s your own well-loved and trusted dog. Children are mostly bit by their own dog or the dog of a friend or neighbour.

Pets will love a safe place that is out of bounds to children. 【小题3】 For cats, a climbing tree or spare bedroom, Cats should also have a bed and food and water bowls in an area that is off limits to the kids. Teach children to respect the pet’s privacy and to only interact (互动) when the pet comes to them, not the other way around.

Teach kids that pets aren’t toys. Young children should not be allowed to pick up their pets, and older kids from seven years of age should only be allowed to pick up pets under supervision. When playing with pets, be sure children are always sitting on the floor, not wandering (漫步) around holding the pets. 【小题4】

【小题5】 Younger children can help fill the water bowl and older ones can take care of feeding and cleaning or changing the litter tray. This is a great way to teach lessons in basic pet hygiene (卫生) by reminding your children to always wash their hands after handling their pets.

Strategies to Strengthen Your Immune System

Infections are unavoidable and everyone can get sick.【小题1】You scratch, cough, ache, and sweat. When you are getting old, your immune system weakens. Fortunately, there are other ways you can strengthen your immune system, besides healthy diets and regular exercise.

Socialize more.

People with richer social lives enjoy better health and life. With more communication or company, they release the stress and strengthen happiness, which promotes their immune system. 【小题2】 If they did get sick, they would have fewer symptoms for a shorter period of time.

【小题3】

Vitamin D plays a number of roles in promoting normal immune function. Unfortunately, nearly one-third of the U.S. population lack vitamin D. Because few foods contain much vitamin D, your best bet is to regularly spend short periods of time in the sun (without sunscreen).

Choose vitamin pills wisely.

Studies link lack of vitamins A, B6, C, D and E to reduced immune function. But scientists have yet to set exact levels of these nutrients for best immune function. For instance, research has not proved the function of vitamin C in prevention and treatment of the common cold. Some micronutrients, notably vitamin A, can be poisonous if consumed too much. 【小题4】

Immunize yourself.

【小题5】 Most immunizations occur during childhood to ensure a healthy growth. For adults of all ages, vaccinations (接种疫苗) strengthen their immune system and defend them against possible disease attacks.