If you are applying to universities overseas, you can’t avoid having a video interview, whether you like it or not. Here are some steps to follow when preparing for the perfect video interview.

Step 1: Start with the basics

Before your interview, find out what platform or application the school uses for video interviews, and make sure that you know how to operate it.

You need to set up a clear and focused interview environment. You also need a strong internet connection.

Step 2: Get prepped (做好准备)

Once the interview begins, resist the urge to watch yourself, and make sure you are looking at the camera as much as possible. Try to anticipate the questions that they will ask you. Interview questions all boil down to three basic categories:

Tell us about yourself.

What do you bring to our program/why should we admit you?

Do you have any questions about the school?

Before the interview, prepare at least two to three minutes on each of these topics.

Step 3: Practice

Practice your answers with a friend or mentor. Get them to ask you questions and answer them over video. If possible, work with a person who is fluent in the language of your interviewers, and get them to give you notes and comments about pronunciation or presentation.

Step 4: Don’t just interview... converse

Interviews are about getting to know you as a person and how well you can interact with others. Though you may have extensive notes, try to act natural - do not read directly from any prepared statements, and don’t memorize answers to repeat. Listening is just as critical as speaking in this situation, too. Make sure you understand the question that is posed to you and ask an interviewer to repeat it or expand upon it if you feel you are confused.

Four Ways to be More Environmentally Friendly Daily

Often, we may not find our lifestyle harmful to nature. 【小题1】. Here are some of the tips to help you learn how to be environmentally friendly in your daily life.

Before you can begin your green living lifestyle, you will need to take a good look at what you currently do in your house. 【小题2】. For each of them you evaluate, and create a list of possible changes you could make with regards to being environmentally friendly.

One of the easiest ways to help with your green living project is to limit your use of plastic. This includes not purchasing plastic water bottles and using a reusable one, a very easy change to make, as well as limiting your plastic bag use at the supermarket by bringing in your own reusable bags.

Unfortunately, chemicals are in so many of the products we use. In some cases, we can get rid of the chemicals that affect us and the environment by making our own products. Therefore, cleaning supplies with a simple mixture of vinegar, water, lemon juice as well as some essential oils are all natural. It will still give you a great clean! 【小题4】. You can limit the chemicals that enter your world, too.

You can lower your carbon footprint by focusing on a few environmental changes. Consider biking, walking, public transportation in place of your car whenever you can. Take shorter showers, use less electricity. 【小题5】

Skateboarding is fantastic. Before you can do amazing tricks (技巧) in the air, though, you need to learn the basics of skateboarding. 【小题1】.

● Know basic movements.

The first movement is to find your stance (站立姿势). Most skateboarders put their left foot towards the front of the board and use their right foot to push themselves. 【小题2】, if you’re left-handed. Make sure your foot isn’t all the way at the front of the board, or it will tip (倾倒) forward.

● Push off the ground

【小题3】. First, put most of your weight over your front foot so that you can balance as your back foot pushes. Then, balance on the board as it’s moving. It takes time, so make sure you’re comfortable balancing before you move on! Next, once you get used to balancing with your weight over your front foot, you can practice shifting your weight to another while you’re on the moving skateboard.

● 【小题4】

You use your back foot to stop, just like you use it to push. Let the bottom of your back foot drag along the ground to slowly bring you to a stop. Move slowly to judge how much force you need to put on your back foot to brake.

● Get off the board

Once the board slows down, change your weight to your back foot. With the weight, your back foot will soon take hold of the ground. When it completely stops, 【小题5】. Ta-da! You have taken your first ride on a skateboard!