Freshman year of high school is a big transition (过渡) for any student.

Luckily, you’re not the only person going through this. and plenty of others have made the transition before you too.

One of the ways in which high school is different from middle school or junior high the most is the higher expectations. You’ll find that you’re expected to keep closer track of your own schedule and responsibilities with fewer people checking up on you. At the same time, your classes are likely to become more challenging, and you might be participating in new school activities as well.

Some students find it hard to keep up with everything at first, which is totally normal. One way to prepare in advance for these higher expectations is to make sure that you have organized schedules in place before you start high school.

Another important skill for meeting these higher expectations is building a strong support network. No matter how strong a student you are, at some point you will need some help. Keeping healthy relationships with your friends and teachers is a great way to make sure that you have people who are willing to help when you need them.

Try to get to know at least some of your teachers beyond your classroom communication. Be an active learner during class and stay after class to ask questions. Take advantage of email or class messaging systems. The better your teachers know you, the better prepared they’ll be to help when you need them.

It’s important for you to keep in mind as you start high school that no one is perfect. Transitions are hard for everyone, and starting high school is a big transition. These challenges provide a great chance to reinvent yourself.

Providing feedback is an essential part of personal and career development. 【小题1】 One of the most effective and classic methods to make it easier for both the giver and receiver is the feedback sandwich technique, sometimes also referred to as a compliment (赞美) sandwich.

If you are seeking to enhance your career growth, learning about the feedback sandwich can be a game-changer. 【小题2】 Rather than simply focusing on what went wrong, it ensures that the person receiving the feedback also knows what went well. The process can be broken into three parts. A manager or superior starts by providing positive feedback to encourage a person to continue their good work. Afterward, they communicate constructive feedback for the person to improve. This feedback aims to be specific, behavioral, and relevant to the situation. 【小题3】

The feedback sandwich technique is a highly useful method. It can help soften the blow of criticism. By starting and ending with positive feedback, it’s easier for the recipient to receive the constructive criticism without feeling attacked. 【小题4】 As we all know, criticism is awkward, but when you’re giving potentially negative feedback, it’s easier when you’re also serving it up with two compliments. Additionally, it enables the meeting or an interaction to end on a positive note.

【小题5】 Many people are knowledgeable about this technique, which might make it sound insincere or predictable if not done correctly. Also, when feedback becomes a routine, employees can start to perceive positive feedback as simply a form of sugarcoating the negatives, thus reducing its value. Hence, positive feedback should not simply be seen as something to cushion the negative, but should be delivered so as to reinforce and encourage good performance.

Imagine a child standing on a diving board four feet high and asking himself the question: “Should I jump?” This is what motivation or the lack of it can do. Motivation and goal setting are the two sides of same coin. 【小题1】 Like the child on the diving board, you will stay undecided.

【小题2】 More than that, how should you stay motivated to achieve the goal? First, you need to evaluate yourself, your values, your strengths, your weaknesses, your achievements, your desires, etc. Only then should you set your goals.

You also need to judge the quality and depth of your motivation. This is quite important, because it is directly related to your commitment. There are times when your heart is not in your work. 【小题3】 So, slow down and think what you really want to do at that moment. Clarity(清晰) of thoughts can help you move forward.

Another way of setting realistic goals is to analyze your short and long term objectives, keeping in mind your beliefs, values and strengths. Remember that goals are flexible. 【小题4】 They also need to be measurable. You must keep these points in mind while setting your goals.

Your personal circumstances are equally important. For example, you may want to be a pilot but can’t become one because your eyesight is not good enough. 【小题5】You should reassess your goals, and motivate yourself to set a fresh goal.

You will surely need to overcome some difficulties, some planned, but most unplanned. You cannot overcome them without ample motivation. Make sure that you plan for these difficulties at the time of setting your goals.