4 美国校园生活 学识与勤奋(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. 学识与勤奋 数学课程上的“A”与其他任何课程中的“A”一样，是通过勤奋与学识得来的。人们的数 学成绩得不到“A”有两个原因。或者是因为他们不懂（学识部分），或者是因为他们学习 不努力（勤奋）。要解决第一个问题，方法很简单；解决第二个问题，方法就更简单。 　　理解（学识部分）如果你有什么不懂的地方，如一篇课文或一个概念，完全可以肯 定你身边有懂的人。你知道，有些人不费力就懂，而且很容易地得“A”（这可能使你感到 有点不安）。跟那些有头脑的人谈谈，通常他们也会非常乐意解答问题。 　　不要低估老师的帮助。如果你在课堂上有不懂的事情，别迟疑，应立即问老师，问 到你确实弄懂为止。许多孩子不愿提问题，因为他们认为那样会自己看起来很笨，或者 会让人感到自己很笨，或者老师会让他们感到自己很笨。别让任何人、至少不要让老师 使你感到自己笨。要经常记住这一点：帮助你是他们的工作。 　　一些学生认为，如果他们有不懂的问题，可以留到下节课。在其他课程中这也许可 以，但数学课不行。数学知识是逐渐积累的，现在所学的是以后的基础。如果你现在对 一个概念不理解，以后就会乱了套。不要错误地认为问题会自然解决。 　　许多次，一些基本的概念妨碍学生的全面理解，致使他们得不到“A”。要弄懂这些概 念，这是能做到的。放学后去找人帮助，做好你需要做的一切，但在下一节课前一定要 弄懂每一课的基本概念。现在的工作做好了会使今后的一切变得容易。 　　努力（勤奋）这是妨碍学生得“A”的第二个问题：勤奋。我知道这是个讨厌的词。但 实际上你确实得努力。没有实实在在的努力就想容易地在数学课得“A”的神话，只是个神 话而已（至少对我们大多数人而言如此）。 　　那么多人的成绩得“B”而没得“A”，仅仅是因为他们没有做家庭作业，这是荒唐可笑 的。要做家庭作业，做作业不仅是为了分数，还有助于把课文搞明白。这就是做家庭作 业的目的。请接受我的切身体验和建议吧。 　　如果学习不认真也没有用。孩子们会说他们学了，成绩却是“C”或“B”，感到很震惊 。但边看电视或打电话边学习不是真正的学习，就像弹钢琴时读书不是真正的读书一样 。要每天多留出一部分时间做与数学有关的作业与学习。我知道做到这一点不容易，特 别是你确实很忙的时候，但这是勤奋学习中的难点所在。但你可不要放弃，而这并非做 不到的事。 这是得“A”的一些方法，但它们只是有助于你的一些提示。采纳你喜欢的，舍去你不 喜欢的。只是要记住，不要仅仅因为是数学课你就被吓住了。你在别的功课方面或许有 得“A”的方法或情况,这些对数学也有用。采取一切对你有用的方法吧。 1.acquire [Ε5κωαιΕ]vt.(尤指通过努力)取得，获得 2.underestimate [5ΘνδΕρ5εστιμειτ] vt.低估 3.dumb [δΘμ] adj.(主美口)笨的，愚蠢的，愚钝的 4.cumulative [ 5κφυ:μφυλΕτιπ ] adj.累积的，渐增的 5.mess [μεσ] vt.把…弄乱，打乱(安排等)(与up搭配) 6.nasty [5ν“στι]adj.讨厌的，烦人的 7.ridiculous [ρι5δικφυλΕσ] adj.荒唐的，可笑的 8.firsthand [φ∴:στ5η“νδ] adj.(来源等)第一手的 9.chunk [τΦΘΝκ] n.相当大的部分(或数量) 10.merely [5μιΕλι] adv.仅仅，只，不过
4 美国校园生活 学识与勤奋(doc)