Test anxiety can be a real problem if you’re so stressed out over a test that you can’t get past the nervousness to focus the test questions and do your best work. Feeling ready to meet the challenge can kept test anxiety at a manageable level.

Be prepared. Some students think that going to class is all it takes to so well on tests. 【小题1】 You will find your test anxiety eases when you start to study more regularly. The reason is that the more you know the material, the more confident you’ll feel. Having confidence going into a test means you expect to do well.

Watch what you’re thinking. If expecting to do well in a test can help you relax, what about if you expect you won’t do well? 【小题2】 They can contribute to your anxiety. If you find yourself having these thoughts, replace them with positive ones. Not unrealistic positive message, of course, but ones practical and true.

Accept mistakes. Another thing you can do is to learn to keep mistakes in view—especially if you are a perfectionist or you tend to be hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, and you may have heard teachers refer to mistakes as learning opportunities. 【小题3】

【小题4】 If sitting for a test gets you so stressed out that your mind goes blank and causes you to miss answers that you know, then your level of test anxiety probably needs some attention. Your teacher or your school guidance counselor (顾问) can be good people to talk to.

Take care of yourself. For some people, this might mean learning a simple breathing exercise. Practice breathing exercise regularly when you feel stressed. 【小题5】 Then you can calm yourself down and get centered.

There are times in life when the going becomes so tough that it feels like the end of your story.

【小题1】 But we eventually overcome the adversities(逆境) in our path and emerge out of the other end. Here are some of the most practical ways of dealing with adversities.

【小题2】 We have all gone through seemingly unbeatable challenges and emerged out of the other end. And yet, each time a new adversity surfaces, we completely forget about the above truth. It is this that makes the going tougher than it needs to be. Therefore, when you are faced with a tough situation, simply remind yourself of your past victories. 【小题3】

When a challenge suddenly shows up, you might feel like the ground has disappeared from underneath your feet. Obviously, in times like these, you are bound to feel confused, terrified and a whole host of other emotions. This is completely normal. 【小题4】 In times like these, you should give yourself time to process the events. Once you have gathered yourself, you can then try and find solutions. If you need to take a break from your regular routine, that’s completely okay!

I can’t stress enough how important discipline is in life in general. And when it comes to dealing with challenges, it becomes even more relevant. Discipline will keep you going forward even when you want to quit. 【小题5】 If you are wondering what that looks like, well, study the lives of soldiers. Learn about how they keep going in the midst of a war. That should open up your eyes to the significance of this must-have quality.

How to Grow Plants with Little Sun

Some people might think that growing plants without much sun is a difficult, if not impossible, task. However, that is not true.

What type of shade (背阴处) do you have?

The first step is understanding the type of shade you have. This is based on the amount (数量) of time that the sun shines on the area. 【小题1】They are:

• part shade (3-6 hours of direct sun, usually in the morning)

• full shade (less than 3 hours of direct sun)

• deep shade (sunlight rarely, if ever, gets through trees or past structures like buildings)

Buy the right plants

When you know your shade conditions, find plants that suit them. 【小题2】 You can also research that information online, in books or magazines. Experts at gardening stores are other sources of information.

And don’t forget your gardeners nearby. When walking around a community garden or your neighborhood, take note of plants growing in shady areas. Talk to the gardeners. 【小题3】

Ways to increase light

The gardening expert adds that painting nearby structures white mirrors sunlight. Glass and mirrored objects can also mirror light around the garden. If possible, carefully cut some tree branches (树枝). This lets more sunlight reach the ground.

What to plant?

Search for the low-light plants suitable for your area. 【小题4】 Vegetables like tomatoes need a lot of sun. But leafy greens actually grow better in part shade.

As for pests (害虫), some kinds like shade gardens. But most other pests are less of a problem in low-light conditions. 【小题5】 That is, you will feel less hot while gardening!