1.In a world as fast-changing and full of information as our own, every one of us needs to know how to learn well. Yet evidence suggests that most of us don't use the learning techniques that science has proved most effective. Worse, research finds that learning strategies we do commonly employ, like rereading and highlighting (突出标示), are among the least effective. Although highlighting and underlining are common practices, studies show they offer no benefit beyond simply reading the text. Some research even indicates that highlighting can get in the way of learning; because it draws attention to individual facts, it may interfere with the process of making connections and drawing inferences (推断). Nearly as bad is the practice of rereading, a common exercise that is much less effective than some of the better techniques you can use. Lastly, summarizing, or writing down the main points contained in a text, can be useful for those who are skilled at it, but it is also rated as being of low utility as there are far better ways to spend your study time. In contrast to familiar practices like highlighting and rereading, the learning techniques with the most evidence to support them aren't well known outside the laboratory. Take distributed practice, for example. This technique involves spreading out your study time, rather than engaging in one marathon (马拉松). Rote (死记硬背) at the last minute may allow you to get through that test or meeting, but the material will quicklydisappear from memory. It's much more effective to dip into the material at intervals over time.2.I have never been able to understand people who don't see the point in traveling. The common reason is that traveling is a waste of time and money. I've heard some are scared to travel too far away. I can't help, but feel sorry particularly for those who perceive the experience of seeing a new place as a 100 percent negative one. Telling them stories about unusual encounters doesn't result in the expected curiosity but a "Why would you wanna go there?" It makes me lose faith in humanity. Experience is the best teacher and knowledge is power. The things traveling can teach you are beautiful because you learn to trust in what you see rather than what you are told. It is Mark Twain who said, "Travel is fatal (致命的) to prejudice , bigotry (偏执) and narrow-mindedness," which in my mind goes down as the closest to the truth about traveling. Too bad there aren't enough people with the means to travel actually doing it. If you have the means to go abroad, you should do it despite going out of your comfort zone. You might realize why you love it once you're back home. I think traveling is also the best thing you could do if you feel depressed at home, don't know what to do with your future, your life, your partner, or anything. Once you are away, preferably somewhere very new and unknown, you are forced to adapt and meet people. This works especially if you travel alone. A new life andespecially the new relationships you build, even if only for a short period of time, reveal opportunities and views you never would have thought of and had otherwise.3.People have always been interested in the lives of the wealthy and famous, but in recent years that interest has developed into widespread obsession (沉迷). Is this a good thing? It's definitely not a good thing when the celebrity concerned is doing nothing but set a bad example. Celebrities and those in the public eye have a responsibility which few appear to acknowledge. Their behavior, the way they dress, the way they conduct themselves when out on the town, the cars they drive and the places they go on holiday are all seen by fans and followers as goals worth pursuing. It's therefore not surprising that so many young people routinely use illegal substances, drink too much, are preoccupied with their appearances and care so little for the environment. I'm reminded that celebrities are people too. They are subject to the temptations the anxieties and mental strain that everyone has to bear. But I think that it is high time that celebrities woke up to their responsibilities. If they want to be applauded for their work they must assume responsibility for the role model that they provide. Many celebrities are guilty of setting bad examples at one time or another. When will these people become aware of the fact that whatever they do will be copied by countless hundreds,thousands, even millions of people? While most people are sensible enough not to be overly influenced by such stories there are plenty who will hear these tales and see them as a green light. They'll believe that it is perfectly OK to drive an environment killing car at breakneck speed on public roads because some thoughtless, selfish celebrity has bragged (吹嘘) about doing it.4.Changes in how universities and research institutions are funded have meant that there are fewer permanent, full-time posts available. In addition to the reduction in the number of posts, the perceived value of having a career in higher education has changed over the last 30 years. In the past, an individual who was intelligent, hard-working, and got along with their colleagues, would start with a PhD and then move into teaching and lecturing, with the ultimate goal of becoming a professor in a university or research institute. While the career path is no longer that smooth, there are still options for those who are committed a career in academia (学术界). One way is to embrace and pursue a career as a global researcher, operating in an international context. For those who are building an international reputation, there is also the option of becoming an intellectual who is active in the public eye. For academics who want neither of the above, one feasible career move is to cross over into higher education management, which were traditionally the preserve ofacademics nearing the end of their career. Whichever career path an individual takes, wider changes will have a number of implications for individual lifestyles and relationships. Eventually, academics will need to go where the money is. They are likely to end up taking on a number of part-time contracts at different institutions at the same time, or temporary contracts one after another. This means that they will find less stability in their working lives. This can lead to frustrations rooted in the challenges of striking a balance between the need for a career and the need for a stable personal life.。