Do you know why it seems that some people can have enough time to do everything they want, but others can’t? Is it that the first kind of people has less to do? No, it’s much more possible that they are practicing good time management skills.

Time management is hard to practice well. But once done, you will manage time much better. With minor tweaks and little efforts, you can do all you need to do in an effective（有效率的）way.

The key to good time management is to understand the difference between the urgent and the important. “Urgent” tasks need your immediate（立即的）attention, but whether you give that immediate attention may or may not matter（要紧）. “Important” tasks matter, because not doing them may have serious or even bad results.

For example, answering the phone is urgent. If you don’t do it, you may miss something important. However, it may be a stranger who just wants to sell you a phone you don’t need at all. That’s not important.

Going to the dentist（牙医）is important. If you don’t, you may get gum disease. But it’s not urgent. If you leave it too long, however, it may become urgent, because you may get a toothache.

Helping to pick up your brother or sister from school is both urgent and important. If you are not there at the right time, they will keep waiting and worry too much. Seeing Wechat moments（朋友圈）is neither urgent nor important. So why do you put it first?

Knowing the difference between the urgent and the important is the key to managing time well. Try to put your tasks into their right groups. Don’t forget that your health is important. You should pay enough attention to your health even though there are many urgent things to do.

Although it’s not easy to group your tasks properly, try to be a good time manager so that you can have time to spend with the people you love and on the activities you like. The better you manage your time, the more successful you can be.

How green are you? Do you know how to be green? We all need a healthy environment, but we produce waste every day and it does harm to our environment. Though we are young, we can still do something to help. In fact, even the simplest everyday activities can make a real difference to the environment. Here are some ideas for you.

Reduce

Reduce means “use less”. Don’t waste things. This saves money and reduces pollution and waste going into the environment. Before we buy something new, think whether it is really necessary—or maybe the old one will be just as good! When we do buy things, choose local products if possible, and try not to buy too many things from abroad (国外).

Reuse

Reuse means “use again”. Use things for as long as possible. When we buy things, make sure that they last a long time. We should look after them so that they will last, and we should repair them if we can instead of throwing them away and buying new ones. Don’t use a paper cup or a paper bag. It’s better to use a china cup and a lunch box because you can use them again.

Recycle

Recycle means “change things into something else”. Though it takes energy to change something into something else, it’s better than throwing things away or burning them. Find out what can be recycled in your neighbourhood and take part in recycling programs. We should also buy products made from recycled materials, such as recycled paper, to help save trees.

So please remember these three words: reduce, reuse and recycle.

An American friend has invited you to visit his family. You’ve never been to an American’s home before, and you are not sure what to do. Don’t worry! When you’re the guest, you should just make yourself at home.

The question of whether or not to bring a gift often gives guests a headache. In American culture, it’s not a must-do thing to bring a present. Of course, some people do bring some small gifts like flowers, candies or—if the family has small children—toys. If you choose not to bring a gift, don’t worry. No one will even notice.

American hospitality(好客)begins at home. Most Americans agree that good home cooking beats restaurant food any day. When invited for a meal, you might ask, “Can I bring anything?” If it’s not a potluck, where everyone brings a dish, the host will possibly answer, “No, just yourself.” For most informal dinners, you can just wear comfortable clothes. Remember to arrive on time, or call to tell your hosts that you may be late.

During the dinner conversation, it’s polite to say the food is nice. After dinner, you can help clear the table or wash the dishes. But since you are the guest, your hosts may not let you. Instead, they may invite everyone to move to the living room to drink some tea or coffee. If the hosts are not smokers, you shouldn’t smoke in their house. And, above all, don’t go around looking at the house if you are not invited. After about an hour of chat, it’s time to say good-bye. You don’t want to wear out your welcome.