Ways to make a great first impression (印象)

You’ve heard it a million times already, but it really does take but a few seconds to make that all-important first impression. Here are some easy ways for you to impress your classmates or teachers.

【小题1】

Before you shake hands with somebody, make sure that your hands are clean. The handshake should not be too strong or too weak. If they don’t have a reason to use their left hands, most people use the right. 【小题2】

Be on time

When you meet someone for the first time, arriving on time is as important as breathing (呼吸). You may have an excuse, but that will leave the person who doesn’t know you well enough with a bad impression. 【小题3】 It’s better to move around the place than be stuck in traffic.

Introduce yourself and ask about the names

Make sure you properly introduce yourself. Ask about their names politely. 【小题4】 This will make it easier for them to remember your name in the future. Always remember to stand up when greeting someone and be sure to introduce them to anyone you’ re with.

Make good conversation (谈话)

To get the most out of your discussion, try to find something in common between the two of you. 【小题5】 A person will feel more comfortable with someone he can easily talk to.

Good writing starts with good ideas. If you write about things that you care about, you will write better. If you write about things that you don’t care about, you’ll be bored and your paper will not have many good ideas.

Once you have a good idea, the next step is organization. Think through your paper before you start. Write an outline. You need to know what your main points are before you start your first paragraph (段落). Use 2-4 main points, one paragraph each.

In your central paragraphs, be concise (简短的) and specific （具体的）. Give examples with details（细节）, not just general ideas. If you can say the same thing with fewer words, do it! Don’t use big words.

When you finish writing, look at your outline again. Did you really follow it or did it change as you wrote? Many times you find different ideas as you write. Look at your central paragraphs. What are their main ideas now? Are these ideas in the introduction? I often write the introduction again to fit the paper after I finish writing.

The battle against the novel coronavirus is on. What can we do to stay healthy? Here are some tips for you to stay away from the virus.

■   Don’t go to crowded places. If you have to, remember to wear a mask. Stay at least one meter away from other people, especially those who are coughing or sneezing. Wearing masks can stop droplets from hitting your face or mouth.

■   Open windows to let fresh air in during the day. Do it three times a day for 15 minutes to half an hour each time. Keeping the air indoor fresh can stop the virus from building up.

■   Keep healthy habits such as eating a healthy diet, exercising and getting enough sleep. This can improve your immune system.

■   Wash hands correctly before meals, after bathrooms and touching something dirty. Health experts say that hand-washing is necessary to stay away from the virus and suggest soaping up for at least 20 seconds – or the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.

■   Stay in a good mood. People around the world are coming up with more creative ideas about what to sing. In Vietnam, they sing a pop song, “rub, rub, rub your hands”. Singapore has a song called Wash Yo Hands. It has lyrics like “Wash your hands, do it with soap and then you’ll be alright.” What other 20-second songs do you advise to sing?

So please do everything to make sure your safety during this special time.