As a student，I was most afraid to answer questions in class，and I found that the students around were just like me.At the beginning of each class，when the teacher asked a question，I always lowered my head because I was afraid that the teacher saw me.

One day，in a foreign language class，Mr. Black gave us a lesson.He wanted us to be active in class，so he asked us some questions，but no one answered.“Let me tell you a story first，” he said.

“When I came to the United States to study，the university often invited famous people to make speeches.Before the beginning of every speech，I found an interesting thing.The students around me always took a cardboard folded (折叠的) in half，wrote their names in bold with the most eye－catching color，and then placed the cardboard on the seat.So when the speaker needed the answers from the students，he could see and call a listener's name directly.”

“I couldn't understand that.My classmates told me the speakers were all top people，who meant chances.When your answer was to his surprise，it meant he might give you more chances.In fact，I really saw a few students got great chances because of that.”

After listening to the story，I understood that the chance will not find you itself.You must show yourself all the time so that you can find a chance on the card.

Have you ever been sad because you failed in something? If so, please remember, for often, achieving what you expect not the most important thing. Here is a story to tell you why.

One day, a little boy, Paul decided to dig a hole behind his house after watching a science program. As Paul was working, a couple of boys stopped by to watch. “What are you doing?” asked one of the visitors. “I want to dig a deep hole all the way through the earth!” Paul answered excitedly. The other boys began to laugh, telling him that it was impossible to do it. Then they left.

But Paul kept on digging and digging. Suddenly, a few small colorful stones caught his eyes. He collected them and put them into a glass jar patiently. Humming a song, he went on digging. The jar was full soon. Then Paul talked to himself calmly and proudly “Maybe I can’t finish digging all the way through the earth, but look at what I have in the process of digging!”

Maybe Paul’s goal was too difficult, but it did cause him to go on.

Not every goal will be achieved. Not every job will end up with a success. Not every dream will come true. But when you can’t achieve your goal, maybe you can say “Yes, but look at what I’ve found along the way! There are so many wonderful things that have come into my life because I tried to do something!” It is in the digging that life is lived. It is the unexpected joy on the journey that really has a meaning.

I have been a staff writer for the school newspaper, the Dagligtale, since my first day here at the University of Alberta. I probably won’t work as a journalist after my graduation, but this doesn’t mean my experience in student journalism has been useless. In fact, I have picked up many important skills through this job.

I still remember my first news story. It was about the victory of the school baseball team. I attended the celebration and was told to do some interviews. I was frightened. Talking to strangers was one of my fears. But I gathered my courage and did it. I talked to the students, the players and the team leader. It was something I had never dreamed of doing before. This opportunity gave me confidence and helped me to improve my social skills.

In journalism, everything has to be based on facts. As a student journalist. I have learned to do research and to think critically about what I read. Discovering the facts is important when you are writing for the school newspaper, but in the Information Age, this is also an increasingly useful skill in everyday life.

As a student journalist, I always know that I have a lot to learn. I’m never afraid of asking people for feedback (反馈意见). I have learned how not to take negative feedback personally and how to use it to make improvements to myself.

Journalism is a stressful field to work in, but I’m thankful that I have had the opportunity to try my hand at it. It has taught me to be a better storyteller, student and citizen. If you are ever given a chance to write for a campus newspaper or magazine, take it and learn everything you can!