How to be cool at college

Entering college for the first time is an exciting moment in your life. Think about why youdecided to go to college. You may have several reasons. But, whatever the reasons, use your time wisely to work hard, enjoy meeting new people and prepare yourself for a bright future.

课文讲解

Para1. 

Going to college? Lucky you!     You'll have a great timeand a lot of fun on the way.Yet your education is also very serious business.To a large extent, you will be on your own.    True, there will be many people ready to help you, but you will often have to take the first step in whatever you choose to do. 

Most of you have decided on a career. Even though some of you may change your minds later, you will have to set goals and work hard for them step by step until you graduate. 

1. have a great time 玩得开心

2. on the way 在路上，在...过程中

3. to a large extent 在很大程度上

4. on your own 独自的，靠自己

5. decide on 决定

6. even though 即使，尽管

7. change your minds 改变主意

8. step by step 一步步地；逐步地

9. graduate 毕业

Para2.

As a teacher, I always tell my students to work hard and keep up from day one. You should also think about taking other subjects.  For a rich full life of college, you should make the most of the opportunities at hand. 

1. keep up from day one 从第一天开始保持下去

2. make the most of  充分利用

3. opportunities at hand 身边的机会

Para3.

I hope you have understood this by now: going to college means a lot more than getting a grade.  You know you have a debt to many people. They have worked hard to make these opportunities open for you. Please, don't let them down! Study hard and learn more.

1. by now /by last month/by next month

2. have a debt to sb. 欠某人的债，人情

3. let them down 让他们失望

Para4. 

You should also consider this: Are you going to take a course to really learn something or are you going to take it only to have it on your record?  I have heard far too many students tell me that they are doing a course to get a certificate for a better chance of "getting a job". Sadly, this is not a good reason to learn anything. Why? 

1. consider/consideration 考虑

2. take a course/ do a course 选修一门课

3. far too many 许多

4. reason 理由

5. be likely to 有可能

Para5.

Well, firstly, you may not get a job even if you do a course that is likely to get you one. Secondly, you are cheating yourself. If you don’t have a real understanding and liking of your course, you may begin to feel very unhappy. You know it will be very difficult for you to respect yourself unless you are proud of your work. The truly happy person is one who is proud of his work and honest with himself. This is true of a worker, doctor, teacher, or whatever.                                                                        
 So, as you begin your college career, make up your mind to learn as much as possible.

1. cheating  欺骗

2. respect 尊重

3. be true of  对...也一样 as well as

4. whatever 任何事情

5. as much as possible 尽可能多地