I’m a … digital native!
The online world is a big part of my life. I’m a “digital native” — I’ve been using the computer since I was a kid.
I do a wide range of things online. Besides doing all my school work, I chat with my friends, watch films and read the daily news and other interesting articles; I also shop for various things online, such as books, computer hardware and other necessities. It’s so convenient to be able to compare the quality and prices from different online shops before I buy. I also play computer games from time to time and I even play tennis on my television screen in my living room!
My parents are worried that I may become an “Internet addict”. They think I’m playing computer games all the time and I chat too much with online friends. According to them, there is a danger that I may not be able to tell whether these friends are real friends. My mum keeps telling me to go out with my school friends instead. Maybe she’s right. It’s important to meet friends in person from time to time, not just on social media. Actually, I do know I need to drag myself away from the online world sometimes, especially because real life can be just as interesting.
I’m a … go-getter!
Senior secondary school is a new start. Studying is definitely a big part of my life. I tend to set a goal for every subject at the beginning of the term. My aim is to do well in every subject this term. Science is my favourite subject, and my biggest target is to prepare myself for my degree in science in university. I am always attentive in all classes and think actively, so that I can have more free time to do other things that I’m interested in after school.
I like reading books of all kinds. I have a top 10 reading list and I try to keep it updated. Meanwhile, I’m an active member of my school’s long-distance running team and volunteering club. It always makes me excited to work hard and achieve a team goal together.
To achieve all I want to, I must use my time well. At school, I do my homework when I have spare time. After school, I try to use any possible time to revise the things I have learnt during the day. For example, it usually takes me 20 minutes to get home by bus. I often use the time to review English words. As the popular saying goes, every minute counts!
Set a goal and get ahead!
Your Life Is What You Make It
After a long day, Zhang Tian finally got back to his small room, feeling tired. He had started working at seven in the morning and it was eight in the evening now. He had to prepare his lessons for the following day. This is a typical day for Zhang Tian. Coming to Guizhou Province to teach has been quite an experience for him.
Zhang Tian graduated from university and got a teacher’s certificate last year. His parents, like most, hoped he would go to a big city to find a teaching job. Likewise, his friends all left his hometown for work in Shanghai or Beijing. Zhang Tian felt differently, however. He wanted to start a new lifestyle. He had met wonderful teachers from small villages during his early school years and he was inspired by them to go and teach where he was needed the most. For that reason he applied for and became a volunteer teacher in a village school. Bringing with him lots of books, clothes, and two pairs of trainers, Zhang Tian travelled to the village with an eager heart. He imagined all sorts of exciting things about living independently and teaching in a village.
However, not everything lived up to Zhang Tian’s hopes. The school was much smaller than he had expected, with only three classrooms. In front of the classrooms, there was a playground which got dusty on windy days and muddy on rainy days. Living in the village was also more challenging than he had thought. The power and water supplies were unstable, so he could only shower every three or four days, and he had to learn how to cook. The thought of leaving once flashed through his mind, but he quickly gave up the idea and found ways to deal with the challenges.
The school had just three teachers and Zhang Tian was the only English teacher. The other two local teachers were responsible for maths and Chinese. To make school life healthier and livelier for his students, Zhang Tian introduced more subjects to the school — music, art and PE. It is not surprising that PE is the kids' favourite subject! Their school lives are now more attractive and interesting, and they enjoy playing football in the playground, as well as singing songs they’ve learnt. The school is now full of laughter and music. Zhang Tian is planning to organise the first-ever school concert! Everyone is very excited.
Zhang Tian’s first year is almost over. It’s been a tough year, but he has enjoyed working with the children. What made him feel satisfied was that his students were able to read, speak and write in English and they became more confident in learning. Besides teaching, Zhang Tian also brought changes to the village. He contacted charity organisations about rebuilding the playground, setting up a library, and helped the villagers sell local products online. The contribution he made to the village was great, so he became very popular among the villagers and they treated him as one of them. The village is like his second home now. Although he had only intended to stay for one year, he now feels ready to stay for another year. He feels so happy that he followed his heart when choosing what to do with his life, even though it may not be what others expected of him.