Hard work really does pay off. Scientists find that perseverance (毅力) leads to better grades and higher achievements in school.

“Being passionate (热诚的) is not enough to ensure academic success,” said researchers, who thought of “courage” as a key to success. This is also regarded as effort in reaching long-term goals, and determination to continue one’s efforts in spite of hardships.

Researchers thought that the finding could help create new training to help children develop the skill and help ensure their future success.

Researchers from the Academy of Finland studied more than 2,000 students from Helsinki. They were followed through their academic career from 12 to 16, from the sixth grade until the ninth grade in local school years. Researchers found that the factor that best predicted courage was related to goals, with previous academic achievements playing no role in developing the skill.

Professor Katariina Salmela-Aro, who led the study, said, “Courage means a young person is really interested in his or her studies and does not give up easily. A key element of courage is high perseverance when facing difficulties and hardships. The important finding is that these factors are the key to success and well-being. Our study shows the power of courage.”

Professor Salmela-Aro also thought it was important to develop new practices and qualities to improve courage in teenagers. She added, “Young people should see everyday school work as part of their life in a broader context and establish achievable goals for themselves. Schools must also serve as a place where it is safe to fail and learn to deal with setbacks. One must not be discouraged by setbacks, but gain(得到) strength and new energy from them!”

BEIJING -- Chinese central authorities have released a set of guidelines on promoting the high-quality development of modern vocational education.

A modern vocational-education system should be established in China by 2025, and China's vocational education should be ranked among the best globally by 2035, according to the guidelines jointly released by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

Primary and middle school students should receive formative courses on vocational education to cultivate their awareness of career planning, according to the guidelines. Priority should be given to training talent for emerging industries, including advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, modern agriculture and artificial intelligence, the document says, encouraging vocational schools to set up majors that meet market demand.

Vocational institutions should step up cooperation with enterprises to serve technological upgrading and product research in medium, small and micro businesses, the guidelines add. It also calls on vocational schools to improve the quality of teachers, innovate teaching models and promote overseas cooperation.

Everyone needs it,but no one wants to ask for it.“Help” has become a sort of dirty word,implying weakness and neediness,that we can’t handle our problems on our own. However,whether it is for your physical,mental or academic health,getting wordsof advice or encouragement from an outside-source can make all the difference.

During a time of such uncertainty,the frequency of people requesting help for anxiety and depression has increased.The current situation has made people realize that asking for help from professionals is the best way to get their problems off their chests and their minds on the road to wellness.

Still,requesting help carries a societal weight. The British Psychology Soeiety found that two types of stigmas(耻辱)exist:public stigma and self stigma. A “public stigma” is external,a collection of beliefs from around us,which holds a heavy weight on our ideas on seeking help. A “self stigma” is internal,assigning ourselves labels based on our state of mental health,claiming we are worthless and undeserving of help.“Public”and“self”stigmas go hand in hand,and when we hear the stigmas being voiced by those around us,we tend to apply them to ourselves because of social influences.

To be our better selves,we have to break the stigma around“help”and accept the fact that some problems are too ough to overcome on our own. If we fail   elevant necessity of getting ourselves ‘assistance in times of need. Despite what society may tell us,it’s not odd or wrong o get help—it’s probably one of the most insightful and courageous things we can do for ourselves.

Each one of us should be able to openly admit that we need help. Sometimes we need support,and that isn’t bad—’s healthy,and remarkably brave.