Maybe you are an average student. You probably think you will never be a top student. This is not true, because everyone could be a better student if they want to. Here are my suggestions.

【小题1】

When planning your week, you should make a list of the things that you have to do. After making this list, you should make your own timetable. First, arrange your time for eating, sleeping, getting dressed and so on. Then decide a good, regular time for studying. Don’t forget the entertainment time. A weekly plan may not solve all your problems, but it will make you realize what is happening.

【小题2】

Look around the house for a good study area. Keep this space, which may be a desk or simply a corner of your room, free of everything but study materials. No games, radios or TV sets! When you sit down to study, concentrate on the subject.

【小题3】

It is the most important thing during your study. Take advantage of class time to listen to everything the teacher says. Listen carefully in class means less work later. Taking notes will help you remember what the teacher says.

【小题4】

When you get home from school, go over your notes. Review the important points that your teacher has mentioned in class. If you know what your teacher is going to discuss next day, preview (预习) the material. This will help you understand the next class better. If you do these things regularly, the material will become more meaningful, and you can remember it longer.

【小题5】

The purpose of a test is to show what you have learned about a subject. It helps you remember your new language. The world won’t end if you don’t pass a test, so don’t be over-worried.

There are many other ways that might help you with your study. You will probably discover many others after you try these.

There is a big change in Emma’s classroom. The desks are no longer in rows, but pushed together to make eight bigger desks. Let us listen to what students and teachers think of it.

Emma: I was so excited about it for the first two days that I couldn’t listen to the teacher carefully. But soon my classmates and I got used to this new classroom arrangement（安排）.Now our class is quieter. What’s more, we can come up with our own ideas and learn more through discussion. It’s a better way to study.

David: I like it, too. Group members first discuss, and then show to the whole class. It encourages us greatly.

Linda, an English teacher: This was part of a reform（改革）at our school. The school made this reform because we want to offer students easier ways to study and more chances to discuss. Our school hopes to improve students abilities to study by themselves and work in groups.

Steven, the school master: The reform has demanded（要求）more from teachers. Now they have only 15 minutes to give a lesson that would have been taught in 40 minutes before. It is difficult to teach in such a short time. The teachers have to find better ways to teach more effectively（有效地）.The reform demands more, but I’m sure it is helpful.