4 美國校園生活 學(xué)識與勤奮(doc)
4、Knowledge and Hard Work 　　A’s in math are like A’s in any other class. They are acquired1 by hard work and knowledge. There are two reasons people don’t get A’s in math. Either because they don’t understand (the knowledge part), or because they don’t try (the hard work). There are simple ways to cure the first and simpler ways to cure the second. Understanding(The Knowledge Part).If you don’t understand something like a lesson or a concept, it’s a pretty sure bet that there are people around you who do. You know them, the ones who understand without trying and who get “ easy A’s” (and probably a little on your nerves). Talk to the people who know what they’re doing. They are also usually ready and willing to explain anything. 　　Never underestimate2 a teacher’s help. If you don’t understand something in class,don’t wait.Ask right away. Ask until you do understand.Many kids don’t want to ask questions because they think they’ll look stupid or feel stupid or the teacher will make them feel stupid. Don’t let anyone make you feel dumb3, least of all the teacher. It’s their job to help you. Remind yourself of that. 　　Some students think if they don’t understand something, they can just move on to the next lesson. In other classes this may work, but not in math. Math is cumulative4. What you learn now you build on later.If you don’t understand a concept now, it will only mess you up5 in the future. Don’t make the mistake of thinking it will just go away. 　　A lot of times there are basic concepts that are stopping kids from fully understanding and getting that A. Get these concepts. It can be done. Go in for help after school, do whatever you need to do, but make sure you understand the basic ideas of every lesson before moving on to the next. The work now will make everything easier later. Trying (The Hard Work) . This comes to the second thing that stops students from getting A’s: hard work. I know it’s a nasty6 word. But you do have to actually try. The myth that you can get “ easy A’s” in math without actually trying is just that: a myth (for most of us, at least). 　　The number of people getting B’s and not A’s simply because they don’t do their homework is ridiculous7. Do the homework. Not only does it count for points, it helps to make the lessons more clear. That’s what it’s for. Take my firsthand8 experience and advice. 　　Studying doesn’t work if you’re not serious, either. Kids will say they studied and be shocked to get C’s and B’s. But studying while watching television or on the phone is not really studying. Just like reading while playing the piano is not really reading. Set aside a good chunk9 of time everyday for math- related homework and studying. I know it’s hard to do, especially if you’re really busy, but that’s where the hard part of hard work comes from. Don’t give up, though, it’s not impossible. These are some ways to get A’s, but they are merely10 tips to help you. Take the ones you like, throw out the ones you don’t. Just remember, don’t let math scare you simply because it’s math. You may have methods or things you do that get you A’s in other classes. These can work for math, too. Just do what works for you. 學(xué)識與勤奮 數(shù)學(xué)課程上的“A”與其他任何課程中的“A”一樣，是通過勤奮與學(xué)識得來的。人們的數(shù) 學(xué)成績得不到“A”有兩個原因。或者是因為他們不懂（學(xué)識部分），或者是因為他們學(xué)習(xí) 不努力（勤奮）。要解決第一個問題，方法很簡單；解決第二個問題，方法就更簡單。 　　理解（學(xué)識部分）如果你有什么不懂的地方，如一篇課文或一個概念，完全可以肯 定你身邊有懂的人。你知道，有些人不費(fèi)力就懂，而且很容易地得“A”（這可能使你感到 有點(diǎn)不安）。跟那些有頭腦的人談?wù)?，通常他們也會非常樂意解答問題。 　　不要低估老師的幫助。如果你在課堂上有不懂的事情，別遲疑，應(yīng)立即問老師，問 到你確實弄懂為止。許多孩子不愿提問題，因為他們認(rèn)為那樣會自己看起來很笨，或者 會讓人感到自己很笨，或者老師會讓他們感到自己很笨。別讓任何人、至少不要讓老師 使你感到自己笨。要經(jīng)常記住這一點(diǎn)：幫助你是他們的工作。 　　一些學(xué)生認(rèn)為，如果他們有不懂的問題，可以留到下節(jié)課。在其他課程中這也許可 以，但數(shù)學(xué)課不行。數(shù)學(xué)知識是逐漸積累的，現(xiàn)在所學(xué)的是以后的基礎(chǔ)。如果你現(xiàn)在對 一個概念不理解，以后就會亂了套。不要錯誤地認(rèn)為問題會自然解決。 　　許多次，一些基本的概念妨礙學(xué)生的全面理解，致使他們得不到“A”。要弄懂這些概 念，這是能做到的。放學(xué)后去找人幫助，做好你需要做的一切，但在下一節(jié)課前一定要 弄懂每一課的基本概念?，F(xiàn)在的工作做好了會使今后的一切變得容易。 　　努力（勤奮）這是妨礙學(xué)生得“A”的第二個問題：勤奮。我知道這是個討厭的詞。但 實際上你確實得努力。沒有實實在在的努力就想容易地在數(shù)學(xué)課得“A”的神話，只是個神 話而已（至少對我們大多數(shù)人而言如此）。 　　那么多人的成績得“B”而沒得“A”，僅僅是因為他們沒有做家庭作業(yè)，這是荒唐可笑 的。要做家庭作業(yè)，做作業(yè)不僅是為了分?jǐn)?shù)，還有助于把課文搞明白。這就是做家庭作 業(yè)的目的。請接受我的切身體驗和建議吧。 　　如果學(xué)習(xí)不認(rèn)真也沒有用。孩子們會說他們學(xué)了，成績卻是“C”或“B”，感到很震驚 。但邊看電視或打電話邊學(xué)習(xí)不是真正的學(xué)習(xí)，就像彈鋼琴時讀書不是真正的讀書一樣 。要每天多留出一部分時間做與數(shù)學(xué)有關(guān)的作業(yè)與學(xué)習(xí)。我知道做到這一點(diǎn)不容易，特 別是你確實很忙的時候，但這是勤奮學(xué)習(xí)中的難點(diǎn)所在。但你可不要放棄，而這并非做 不到的事。 這是得“A”的一些方法，但它們只是有助于你的一些提示。采納你喜歡的，舍去你不 喜歡的。只是要記住，不要僅僅因為是數(shù)學(xué)課你就被嚇住了。你在別的功課方面或許有 得“A”的方法或情況,這些對數(shù)學(xué)也有用。采取一切對你有用的方法吧。 1.acquire [Ε5κωαιΕ]vt.(尤指通過努力)取得，獲得 2.underestimate [5ΘνδΕρ5εστιμειτ] vt.低估 3.dumb [δΘμ] adj.(主美口)笨的，愚蠢的，愚鈍的 4.cumulative [ 5κφυ:μφυλΕτιπ ] adj.累積的，漸增的 5.mess [μεσ] vt.把…弄亂，打亂(安排等)(與up搭配) 6.nasty [5ν“στι]adj.討厭的，煩人的 7.ridiculous [ρι5δικφυλΕσ] adj.荒唐的，可笑的 8.firsthand [φ∴:στ5η“νδ] adj.(來源等)第一手的 9.chunk [τΦΘΝκ] n.相當(dāng)大的部分(或數(shù)量) 10.merely [5μιΕλι] adv.僅僅，只，不過
4 美國校園生活 學(xué)識與勤奮(doc)